The G&P June 2011 US/Mexico Road Trip
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Yes, we have certainly found some sunshine. We set off early this morning to get a few hours in Yosemite National Park - way too little time really but I still feel very privileged to have seen what we did, the scenery is SPECTACULAR. The place deserves several days at least, and we'd love to go back and do some hiking there. The weather was fabulous - sunny, clear and warm without being too hot (although now we've arrived in Lone Pine, just west of the Death Valley National Park it's a lot hotter, around 100 deg F).
So now G and I will both bore you with loads of Yosemite pix (lots of them of the same view), and his will no doubt be better than mine but here's a few to start with.
Just entered the park and driving towards the main valley:
The big waterfall from across the river:
Bit closer:
El Capitan, the largest lump of granite on our planet, no way to show scale here but I believe G has some pix of climbers (AKA nutters):
Random waterfall on drive east across the park:
View of famous "Half Dome" in the distance:
Giles looking pensive in front of beautiful lake:
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I'll get a few more pics up later, but it is beer o'clock in Lone Pine CA.
I used to be a rock climber in my teens and one of my teenage ambitions was to climb El Capitan. So going to Yosemite today and seeing the rock was something special.
I don't know what they put in the tea at school, but seeing El Capitan in person made me re-address that particular ambition.
Holy Feck
There are 2 climbers half way up there (I promise)
In the red square are 3 climbers who look like they are in the process of hauling stuff up
And to give you a sense of scale, this is the red square super zoomed
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Looks like a blast!
I always take for granted how amazing California is…Had such a great time the other night, I feel bad for not posting to thank you sooner, but I think my hangover is just clearing up...
They may have Iron Hearts, but those Padmores certainly seem to have Iron Livers as well!It was great to meet Pete and Arrow (fellow Asian IH wearing reggae lovers) and see Lando again (and a special thanks to Lando for rolling with me on a late night burrito mission). Couldn't ask for a cooler group of folks, serious family type vibe.
Look forward to doing it again!
P.S. Thanks for not posting the pic when my pants came off in the bar (seriously, wasn't pretty)........
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Had such a great time the other night, I feel bad for not posting to thank you sooner, but I think my hangover is just clearing up…
They may have Iron Hearts, but those Padmores certainly seem to have Iron Livers as well!Kat, it was wonderful to meet you, too. And I can assure we were both suffering on Wednesday morning, not a lot of chat in the car on the ride out of San Francisco! Thanks for texting the recommendation for The Priest bar near Groveland for Wednesday evening, I have to admit that we didn't make it… so maybe our livers are softer than we think...
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Stayed at the Dow Villa Motel in Lone Pine last night, I wish we didn't have to leave town so soon - place is amazing, a genuine old American motel which used to house stars of the old Wild West movies (John Wayne, William Boyd, Roy Rogers, Stewart Granger, Errol Flynn, Robert Mitchum and Clayton Moore to mention a few). At 8:30 am it must be 90 degrees outside overlooking the snow-capped peaks of the Sierra Nevada. Off now to take a quick, closer look at Mount Whitney then heading East across Death Valley to Las Vegas - we've got a wedding to get to!
Jake's Saloon where had a couple of beers last night:
Inside Jake's Saloon:
Picture in motel room:
This morning's view from motel room:
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More pic overload, sorry…..
Yesterday.
Looking up Yosemite valley
Super duper waterfall
The one and only El Capitan
Tumbling river
Yosemite Falls
Yey another waterfall
At about 9000 feet, there was quite a lot of snow still around
Mme B and lake
I got out of the car here to take this photo and saw a bunch of Marmots, Mme B didn't (she stayed in the car saying it was too cold to get out)
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thanks for all the photos.
feel like i'm riding in the backseat with you all.
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Fantastic pics G&P, I haven't been there since 1976 but it's still spectacular! My brother climbed up El Capitan
in 1975, said it was dicey at times but loved it. So glad you're getting so much out of your trip!
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very very nice G&P
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Ladies and Gentlemen, Boys and Girls and Girlyboys and Tomboys, i present to you… adventure 101
So i was asked and entrusted to deliver some luggage from Los Angeles to San Francisco for Giles and Paula; I gladly accepted my mission.
Skip a few days to me being back home in the Bay Area and Giles and Paula are now officially back and have settled into their hotel in the city, time for me to jump into action and!!!!!!!!...get on public transportation and head to San Francisco!
Also around these past couple of days, Giles had been talking to Lando whilst i had simultaneously also been talking to Lando (topics probably similar as well) and while arriving in SF, i got the message from Lando about him also being a short distance away. We meet outside of G's hotel and soon after, Giles pops out. First thing first... they want to smoke.
After getting their nicotine fix for the moment, we deliver our respective goods to Mr. 21oz and head out for an extreme trek of 2 blocks to a nice little Italian restaurant for lunch and a couple of brewskis.
Say what you will of Lando's demonic laughter, but i find it quite charming! Giles deep in his conversation with us doesn't even notice my camera. lolAnyways, after getting our tanks filled and Giles and Lando smoking another couple cancer sticks and the lovely Paula making an appearance before we headed elsewhere on our adventure, we head out on our way to SESF via cab.
Upon arriving, it is Ginno who is working, helping a rather tall gentleman who was damn near sold on some 634s, but that is another story for another time that is.
so now we are at Self Edge, chopping it up with Ginno and of course it was only a matter of moments before Giles and Lando get vertical and go check out the torso accessories better known as shirts and jackets.
Taking a look through many of the offerings at Self Edge. Giles was very suprised to see some of his best sellers still here in quite a few sizes! Meanwhile, Lando is looking at a shirt he probably sold in the past! hahahaha, jk.
More of Giles being surprised by how much IH has been sticking around… i dont know why Lando is looking at Giles menacingly though...Before finally heading back down stairs and back to his wife, something caught Giles' eyes and he stops to better look at it...
Funny how the first thing he said was "those seem a bit big" hahahahahaha.Anywhoo… from after having given back the luggage, had a delicious lunch thanks to Giles, and had a hoot and holler of a time at Self Edge, Giles headed back to his hotel room to get ready for pizza with Paula and Mr. and Mrs. Self Edge. It was a great time with great people!
And for any parties perhaps wondering, i didn't show up to zeitgeist because of being scared of a potential cold/flu so close to my trip to south america. we (Lando, Ginno and I) hung out a bit after Giles (and lando too, actually) left and then after Self Edge closed for the night. and the following morning i woke up with a raspy throat and congested nose. Also decided on tuesday to try and double the effectiveness of my nyquil by taking a couple shots of Jack in order to make me sleepier and thus have me in bed faster. only made me drunk and spinny.
Anywhoo, thanks for a lovely time Giles and Paula, the delicious chocolates and fond memories! until we see each other again, i say with all the honesty in my heart, thank you my friends, it was a great time. have fun for the remainder of your trip and take care.
(ps. for a quick snippit of some extra debauchery, go to the devil made me do it thread...)
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this thread is really the shit. legendary status
thanks for the flicks & the play by play DEP
