Yosemite Lodge at the Falls and Places to Stay in Yosemite National Park

If you are looking for accommodations IN the park, the Yosemite website is the place to start. I noticed some Curry Village openings @ end of August!  Lots of places outside the park as well. NOTE - Some places advertise "Yosemite" but are an hour from the park entrance!  It can take ~45 mins from the park entrance to get to the valley floor, so you are now an hour and half or MORE to the Yosemite Valley Floor!!  Where is your favorite place to stay or camp?!   

I always recommend starting with the Yosemite NPS website here.

 

(Image copyright John Harrison Photography)

 Yosemite Lodge at the Falls

There is quite a wide array of places to stay in Yosemite National Park.  We normally stay at the Yosemite Lodge at the Falls (formerly the Yosemite Lodge) when I am with the whole family.  It is right next to Yosemite Falls, has quite a wide array of lodging options, has Wifi for you folks that can't be without, has a few food options right onsite and lots of parking.  There is nothing like waking up in the morning to the sound of Yosemite Falls!  It is definitely NOT roughing it!  Unfortunately, it has gotten quite pricey over the last few years!

Rooms at the Yosemite Lodge at the Falls.

The Lodge has a few different room types.  The "Green Rooms" has recently been updated to include quite a few energy efficiency and green upgrades.  You can read more about those here.

The "Standard Rooms" are their main rooms.  They also have "Family Rooms" for large families and my favorite are the Lodge Rooms. The Lodge Rooms often has balconies and are set further away from the main hotel. Some back onto meadows or into the woods.  Definitely a nicer option if you can find it.

Food at the Yosemite Lodge at the Falls.

Food at the Lodge is pretty simple.  The ever faithful "Food Court" which has a variety of hot meals, grill, Pasta Bar (the kids favorite) and pizza.  It can be quite full but they cover the bases. 
Two other options include the amazing Mountain Room and the Mountain Room Lounge.  The Mountain Room includes fine dining surrounded by images from Charlie Cramer and Michael Frye (both of whom I have studied under) as well as other amazing photographers (note - they need to add a John Harrison Photography image!!).   Prime Rib, Steaks, Fish, Pasta and fantastic deserts!  You can check out a sample menu here.   

The Mountain Room Lounge (the bar next to the Mountain Room Restaurant) can be another option for food as they serve a small array or appetizers and food especially when you come in from a late night of shooting!

The Yosemite Falls at the Lodge website has a photo gallery showing more of the rooms and dining places here!

Here is one of my pictures of Yosemite Falls with the Upper and Lower Falls along the walkways.  Even though it is PACKED in the summer, there is one secret solution!.....  go out early!  I had the place to myself around 7am!

Bear Cub in Yosemite National Park

A bear cub walking in Yosemite! Not the best picture since I was hiding behind the tree watching him walk along. Any good bear encounters to share?!

How to Photograph Fireworks

Here is a great post on how to photograph fireworks.   Hope everyone is having a great 4th of July! Some tips from Yahoo on taking pics of fireworks I thought would be great to share. If you take any pictures, please share here!

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/technology-blog/photograph-fireworks-193512467.html

(Image linked from Yahoo.com  All Rights remain to original creator)

Snow Skiing in Lake Tahoe in July?!?

Snow skiing in July!! Pretty amazing the amount of snow they have gotten up there. Anyone been lately?!

 http://www.mercurynews.com/california/ci_18384762?nclick_check=1

Curry Village Tent Cabins in Yosemite

"Curry Village Tent Cabins in Yosemite" Nothing like these tent cabins in Yosemite! How many times have you stayed in them!? Walk out in the morning with the peaks around you and look straight up towards Glacier Point! Anyone have any good Curry Village stories?!

Essential tools for photographers, hikers and outdoor folks - a modern LED Flashlight

Essential tools every photographer, hiker and outdoor person should carry - a modern LED flashlight! Forget those big huge 6-D battery maglites, I carry about 3 different LED flashlights and headlamps. They are super bright, lightweight, and small enough to put in the car, backpack or camera bag. I use this one linked in my camera bag. It is ~200+ lumens with multiple levels. I keep this one, http://amzn.to/mriIJN in my car and then bring the 800 lumen beast for more outdoor fun and lightpainting! Perfect for those summer outings and they also make great fun for the kids!

"Marin Lupines California Poppies and Grasses above the Golden Gate Bridge" San Francisco, California.

"Marin Lupines California Poppies and Grasses above the Golden Gate Bridge" San Francisco, California. I just printed a 30" x 40" of this for a collector and thought I would share. The Marin Headlands are one of my favorite spots to shoot! So many spots you can't go wrong if the lighting is right. Just a little past sunset waiting for the full moon to pop-up I captured the wildflowers with the wide-angle lens up close.

Amazing Yosemite Climbing Videos and Photos - Jimmy Chin

Some AMAZING climbing photos by @jimmy chin ! I love the perspectives he captures in a fantastic place. I hope to capture a few like this one day (with a lot of ropes connected to me!) The video is also put together well and you can see behind the scenes what it takes to get just one shot. Awe-inspiring and a way to celebrate Earth Day! Jimmy let me know when I can come carry your bag on a shoot!

"Sunrise in Kauai" on the Beach of the Hanalei Colony Resort in Kauai

"Sunrise in Kauai" How would you like to be sitting in those chairs?! This is just off the beach of the Hanalei Colony Resort on the north end of Kaua'i. I was packing up to leave and looked out the window and saw this sunrise breaking! I ran outside and grabbed a few shots before the color was gone.

"Kilauea Lighthouse on Kauai"

"Kilauea Lighthouse on Kauai" This is located on Kilauea Point on the island of Kaua'i. There is a national wildlife refuge there. This was a nice afternoon watching the Red-footed boobies flying around and the waves crashing down below. Just another beautiful location on Kauai!