The other side of the line – Yosemite Valley

The car doors slam. A lady and her husband walk to the edge of the prairie while putting on their jackets. A squeal of delight comes from the old man as he finally looks up, the lady laughs and tells her husband something. They smile at each other then look forward as they talk.

Their conversation quickly trickles, then stops. They stand in awe, barely remembering to take a picture before they leave.

I’m leaning on my car door, watching as James sets up his tripod.

The air is sharp and cold, but the snowstorm hasn’t started yet. My body is warm.

The field is quiet.

On the coast of California — color film.

Because our road happened to pass through the famous haunts of one of my favorite writers, I found it fitting to quote him.

“What is the feeling when you’re driving away from people, and they recede on the plain till you see their specks dispersing? -it’s the too huge world vaulting us, and it’s good-bye. But we lean forward to the next crazy venture beneath the skies.”     -Jack Kerouac

Also, much to my surprise I got freshly pressed again, so thanks WordPress person whose job it is to select freshly pressed posts, and a big hearty thanks to everyone taking the time to read and look.

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Photos taken with my (Dad’s) Leica Mini-zoom and expired ISO 400 color film.

Yosemite Valley, early March.

Embraced by mammoth granite,

iron clutch of living earth.

Photos taken with a Leica mini-zoom and ISO 150 Black and White film.

The Salton Sea in early Spring.

Notes from the couch after the road.

Hello, road. Good to see you again.

It’s been a few months since I’ve strayed too far from home, so it’s good to be on the move again. I even managed to drag along my beloved friend/photographer (and not the other way around) James, who I’ve known since high school. He’s good. Damn good. So check out his blog if you haven’t already.

And so, after little planning and improper packing, we headed South taking the coastal road when we could and less gas-whorish freeways at night, crashing at random campgrounds and the homes of friends and family until we made it to our southernmost destination: San Diego.

Our way back North will be inland through Joshua Tree, Mojave and Yosemite where we will attempt to get our Ansel on.

But first,

SOUTH.

The Northern Californian coastline is worth the winding drive.

James standing amongst the Redwoods.

Our first night of camping on the northern coast near Orick.

After making camp in the dark we awoke to this view of the lagoon.

Sutro Baths

The streets of San Francisco

James photographing off the roof of my truck in Pinnacles Monument Park.

James and Mark, another buddy from high school and college who now lives in LA and let us crash at his house.