I Visited Yosemite Only Once

And as stupid as it sounds now, it was simply a means to an end, not my destination. I was far more interested in seeing Mono Lake, and driving through Yosemite to get there was the most direct route. Of course, once I entered the park I was blown away by the scenery.

I remember when I rounded a corner and was greeted by the view in the photo above (sadly, not my own). It took my breath away. Why I did not stop to take photos at that spot still puzzles me.

The trip was kind of a spur-of-the-moment thing I undertook over Labor Day weekend 1996. I was working at a job from hell (one of many in my illustrious career) and I wanted nothing more than to get away from the City. Not planning ahead (something I was wont to do at the time) was a big mistake. I hadn't made any plans where to stay overnight, figuring it wouldn't be an issue.

It was an issue. Everything was full up. TLDR, I got some great pictures at Mono Lake…

Finished with my photos and unable to secure lodging anywhere nearby, I turned around and started back to San Francisco around 6 pm.

I took a slightly different route back through the park, and after night fell I was convinced that if there was any road in California that was ripe for alien abduction, it was the road I was on: no traffic and absolutely pitch dark. No abduction and no missing time, but the stars were so amazing I did stop at one point and took some night sky photos. I have no idea what happened to those photos. I got the film developed and was told there was nothing on the entire roll. Did I forget to remove the lens cap? Unlikely, but as tired as I was at that point it's entirely possible.

I finally got back to the City sometime after midnight. I crawled into bed and slept until noon the next day.

Ben has never been to the park at all, so this may end up being a future road trip…

A Fantasy

Not at all practical, and would piss a lot of people off, but it would be the ultimate fuck you to Republicans and Vladmir Putin:

Joe Biden and whoever he selects as his running mate are elected.

On January 21st, 2021, the vice president resigns.

Joe appoints Hillary Clinton as VP. (I know she said she's done with public life, but play along with me for a minute.)

On January, oh…let's say the 31st…Biden resigns.

Clinton is sworn in.

Republican heads would fucking EXPLODE.