Autumn in Yosemite

Yosemite Valley is in full fall bloom, and promises it will stay that until the leaves fall. Cool nights and warm days in the mid-70s are perfect for a fall color day trip. The oak trees are glowing yellow, with the Dogwood trees brilliant red and others variations in-between.
The water level is very low this year, with Yosemite Falls being nonexistent. There is an age-old expression, used
by age-old people, “I would prefer to view the scenery, not to join it.”
Sage words, probably first expressed by a passenger when the stagecoach or
the later automobile would dangle a wheel or two off the edge of a steep cliff adjacent to the mountain road taken. The road to Yosemite has a few “tight spots” that bring this to mind. Not a totally “white knuckle” drive, but one to be careful.
On this trip I joined the scenery, luckily not in my car. After carefully stopping the car to photograph some spectacular fall-Merced-River scene, I started my way down to the water. So intent on visualizing the “soon to be award-winning image” (yeah right), I had neglected to note that my footing on a rock was as nonexistent as Yosemite Falls. As luck would have it, a boulder field cushioned my fall. My camera
took to the air as I made final impact. As luck would have it, the only patch of sand on the rivers edge, was where it landed. Not a scratch on it, and I believe from the photos taken on this trip, it was in fine operating condition. Whew! I later found sand in my camera bag!
When a Photographer falls in a forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound? Hell yes it does! Something no man should hear!
As I could still walk, I soldiered on to the next “soon to be award winning image.” Not! The photos taken in that location were destined for the “cutting room floor.” All that glitters is not gold. More sage advise.
A morning of photography and falling worked up an appetite.
I had once purchased a gas filled bag containing a Spartan “sandwich” from Curry Village. After finding that the sandwich was prepared in the San Joaquin Valley, and not Yosemite Valley, and realizing that the gas was from elevation difference, not microbial action, I deemed the sandwich fit for purchase and human consumption. It also was tasty.
This time I chose to have lunch from the Village store.
Located in Yosemite Village, offering a full line of souvenirs, T-shirts, sweatshirts, hats, Junior Ranger accessories and nick-knacks of all kinds of more stuff to dust.
The Village Store also carries groceries, fresh meat and produce, baked
goods, clothing, camping supplies, books, magazines, film, disposable cameras, postcards, ice, wood and an ATM.
I searched for a pre-made sandwich, and a large selection was on hand. The prices were consummate with having someone hand carry the meal to the park from San Francisco. Ham and Cheese, the one I chose, was a mere $7. As it was tasty, and I picnicked under the warm fall sky, towering trees and majestic canyon walls, it was all worth it.
If you go, do not join the scenery.