Yosemite.

One trip to this magical place and you will know why the likes of legendary photographer Ansel Adams fell in love with it.

I call it a slice of heaven on Earth.

“The Yosemite National park, which is managed by the National Park Service, covers an area of 747,956 acres (3,026.87 km2) and reaches across the western slopes of the Sierra Nevada mountain chain.” (Wikipedia) Nestled in the middle of the wilderness is the Yosemite Valley. I’m fortunate enough to live in Northern California’s San Francisco Bay Area, which is less-than-4-hour-drive away from this world-renowned park. There is truly something unique about this place. It’s a place away - and in quite contrast - from the hustle and bustle of the fast paced life that is Silicon Valley.

A quite sanctuary.

Serenity.

Often times, I would take an impromptu Friday evening drive after work just to get away from it all. I would grab my Fuji X-Series cameras and lenses, my tripod, a change of clothes and head East. Sometimes I would be fortunate enough to find some last minute lodging at a good price at Yosemite’s own Curry Village or Yosemite Lodge prior to my departure. But if not, there are usually some motels along Highway 120 that would have vacancy where I could rest for the night, albeit most of them are still about an hour drive away from Yosemite Valley.

If I do drive straight through I would usually arrive late night, gripped by the long drive that leaves the body with tiredness of sitting upright - driving for long hours through the winding road - enveloped by the quiet of the darkness of the night.

But the morning hike is one that I could always look forward to as it usually brings about a renewed rejuvenation for the body and spirit as I’m greeted by the breathtaking beauty of this place.

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