Split the day half and half between reading useful things and organizing photographs. Nothing good to say about useful things (well, it would be nice if more important people in the academy could write well). For photos, the big issue is simply categorizing the better ones, which takes plenty of time.

Made it out briefly to watch the sunset from the beach. Came back with a few pictures, some sand in the camera, and a reaffirmed belief in the value of maintaining working relations with the out-of-doors. Nothing quite like waves and a little wind to clear one’s head of illusions and false thoughts.

Concluded with dinner and looking over photos, older and newer.

Last day in Yosemite. Nobody was in hurry to go back out in the cold, but we did make it to the Mirror Lake trailhead around 10AM. Passed a group of happily tobogganing kids on our way. Lake itself was a bit small, but the snow and bare trees gave good atmosphere. A good bit of the lake was also under snow, as I discovered with some unwary walking.

Farther along, the trail switchbacks up the south-facing slope of the valley toward North Dome. We followed this largely snow-free path for a good ways, pausing after clearing the trees for good open views of Tenaya gorge, Half Dome and some rapidly forming cloud formations.

Company during our break included a loquacious raven who posed for many photographs and could make three very distinct types of calls, and a French couple we’d seen the day before on the snowshoe walk. They had snowshoes for this walk too, but they didn’t look too handy.

The return, first to the car, and then toward the Bay Area, was without mishap (though the smell of boiling brake fluid was pretty strong for a stretch of Old Priest Grade). Stopped briefly at the Yosemite Valley ‘village’ store where I was disappointed by the paucity of quality postcards depicting winter in Yosemite.

Celebrated the end of the trip in Half Moon Bay with pizza (what else) at It’s Italia. Ah, the memories of high school days… Still is a pleasant sport for dinner.

The Plan ™ was to be up early, catch the bus to Badger Pass, and go on a ranger-led snow-shoe walk. Having cleverly missed the bus, we drove instead. This afforded some nice views of the central valley, a close encounter with a very wolf-like coyote, and about 3 miles on snow-covered roads without the requisite chains. Fun, but the bus would have been easier.

Ranger Dick led the snowshoe walk providing a mix of information, entertainment and a good excuse to be on the ski slopes without skis. The ‘subnivean space’ received particular attention as did a number of long deceased dried rodents the ranger pulled from his pockets and hat. The exercise and views weren’t bad either.

Returning to the valley, we did an extended photo-tour for the remainder of the afternoon, wandering across the open areas and along the river for a ways. Just before sunset, we found an encampment of photographers along the main road, waiting for the sun’s last rays on Half Dome. The last part of the walk, cold, in the dark, on an icy trail, wasn’t quite so much fun

Dinner options were limited to the Lodge’s food court again, but as we were staying at the lodge for the night, at least the trip to and from was short. My dad even managed to negotiate some extra vegetables and sauce for what were otherwise rather pathetic pizzas.

Unlike the last time (March ’05), no snafus (e.g. overheating car) on the drive to the park. 4 of us this time, so we took my cousin’s somewhat larger more reliable car. Doubtless this helped.

Lunch off of highway 120, just below Groveland, in view of a very peculiar National Forestry Service gate. Picnic area from earlier days was closed though.

Park entrance was almost deserted. Wilderness office closed. Snow all around. None too warm either.

Made a few stops descending into the valley. Have never seen Yosemite (park or valley) this covered in snow before. Must’ve been 2 feet at least in the meadow facing El Capitan.

Checked in to Curry Village right around sunset. Quickly became to cold and dark for photos (though there was an entrancing mist in the openings), so drove to the Yosemite Lodge food court for dinner. Highly disappointing. Partially uncooked potatoes, oversalted rice, even the dessert failed expectations.

Cabin was heated so we all slept without trouble.

The first of vacation is always the best.

Me, I…

1) Slept late. A bit. Jet lag mostly counteracted that.

2) Went to the beach. Huge waves. Gorgeous weather. Lot of puddles, so I got exceedingly muddy. Genuine coastside for the benefit of my (visiting) uncle.

3) Long late lunch. In the living room. Warm thanks to the sunny day. Ah, luxury…

4) Catching up on missed things. Mail. Books in my room. Flute.

Had a big togetherish dinner in the evening (uncle and cousin too). A bit of preparation for tomorrow’s venture to Yosemite.

Longer day than I bargained for.

Up early to finish packing.1PM flight from JFK, so left Hartsdale at 10AM. Needn’t have – security lines were short and quick (and missed a pocket-knife accidently left in my carry-on). Still annoyed by the new rules regarding camera/computer batteries.

Flight to Salt Lake City yielded interesting views of NYC and SLC but little else. Dozed a lot.

SLC airport was nice, large, mostly empty. And I spent 5 hours in it, due to unexplained delays for the SLC-SFO leg of the flight. Discovered a California Pizza Kitchen (rip-off, but needed dinner). For lack of anything better to do, watched the Pistons knock the stuffing out of the Spurs on TV. Not a huge basketball fan, but ‘Rip’ Hamilton and Rasheed Wallace provided enough excitement to outweigh the annoyance factor of the commercials.

SLC-SFO flight finally left 10:30PM MST. Had a chat with a women from Ogden going to SF for a funeral. She seemed oddly chipper about it.

Touched down at midnight, PST. Quick drive back to dear old foggy Half Moon Bay, with only a grumpy cop (who had rather ambiguously half-blocked the road) for interruption.

Good to be (after 18 hours in transit) home.

A multitude of minor details to attend to. This. That. The other. Clean the apartment. Pack. Coursework. Leaving for California tomorrow.

Managed to clear out a good bit of junk, so that if I do get a roommate, there’s space in the apartment. Grandmother and grandfather gave me a lift, plus a spot to store all the extra stuff.

Man am I ready to leave NY!

Yet another dull day of research. Yet another exquisite sunset.

Have learned not to second-guess the camera at this point. It can figure out the lighting far better than I. Results aren’t too shabby either. Especially with the big lens (70-300VR), the camera can sit steady on the fence posts by the quay, allowing for good timed exposures.

Oh yes, and congrats. to Hillary Clinton on her win in New Hampshire! Yes really.

Mind you, I find Clinton’s politics disappointing and useless in almost every respect. I doubt she will make a good president (though certainly, no worse than her husband). But the grotesque and outright misogynistic way that the media has been covering her campaign is simply appalling. Hopefully, this will shut the Chris Matthews’ of the world up for at least a few days.

(I have no problem with people attacking Clinton for her lousy politics. I have a huge problem with people attacking Clinton for her ‘demeanor’, ‘attire’ and so on. Notice how John McCain, a man of extraordinarily thin skin and short temper, has received no negative coverage on that account at all).

The slog continues. I hate writing.

I did, however, finish some things. Also sent off my new years’ greetings. Bit late. Whoops.

As a reward for that, back to Battery Park for sunset. Amazing colors. Even better after the real sunset has happened. Not that I’d mind if the lenses were a bit longer, though.

Another empty (of interesting happenings) day. Weekends don’t mean much when you’re working on papers. Another red sunset. Have to do more reading now. Yay. Not.