I guess that is just me. Sometimes I go for a week or more without checking my email or the news. Retirement is great!

I guess that is just me. Sometimes I go for a week or more without checking my email or the news. Retirement is great!

MtnMan, I didn't know about the smoke. When my son & I drove here on the 17-18th we crossed most of the mountains @ night. when we came out of Barto, CA it was quite smoggy I noticed. It could have been some smoke there also.

I didn't realize how much difference 5 or 6 thousands feet would make. I am only 2+ hours from Donner Summit so I need to plan a trip up there when we return home.

Now would work for me or most any time today, thanks

WOW, lots of information. I never expected this much info.

A little background. I am retired, currently 62, my friend also retired is 71, I think.
I have a 60D, (cropped sensor) 17-40 f4L, 24-70 f2.8L, and a100-400 L with me. And a tripod. I had the idea to do this if I could when I let CA.
I may be there by Oct. 11 or so. we have also been talking about the Grand Canyon so nothing is in stone yet.

I was originally thinking about moon shots but there won't be much to see and it will be coming up late I think.

No coat or long-johns. Just didn't think about it. It was in the 90a when I left home.

Great shot of Hale Bopp, I remember trying to get a shot of it. It didn't work out very well.

Thanks for all the location info, I had no idea where to began. If you don't mind would you give me a call when you have the time. My cell is 707 688-0979. I think the weather could be our biggest challenge to come there.

Thanks for all the info, Mike

I will pick up a friend in Oklahoma city so we will be on I40 but a are willing to go up to I70, I think it is, to go through Colorado. I am sure there are many good places along the way.

Sorry for the sloppy typing, I'm on my phone. kind of sucks for typing.

Mogul & Gessman, thanks for the reply.

Sorry about the delay in response. I has a plumbing disaster today, its better now.

The link I saw listed two places that were possible the two best places to photograph the night sky. One was on the continental divide I assumed in Colorado, I am not sure. the elevation was fairly high and it was cool and dry. Good for night shots. I would like to check it out on my way back to California.

I have tried searching several times, but the original post was aboutp night shots and general questions.g the post a another reader wrote had the link in it.

I really blew in not saving the link. Sorry I don't have better info.

I found a link a few months ago here about a place for sky photography I think in Colorado. I thought I had saved it, apparently I didn't.

I am driving from Louisiana back to California in a couple of weeks and would like to check it out.

anyone here remember it, or saved it?

Flyguy, Great photos!

I assume your are packing for the trip. Enjoy every minute of it, Mike

Flyguy, I also only live a few hours away and am now retired.
A once a year trip to Yosemite is a promise I have made to myself.

As you mentioned safety is always in the back of my mind for health and equipment even when I am out locally. Meeting up with other "Hogs" makes a lot of since in so many ways. I'll keep that in mind post before my next trip.

I made it to Yosemite last June when the Merced was at flood stage. Here are photos of the Yosemite Falls at a high flow rate that will help rev you up for your trip.

Wish I could be there, Mike

Upper and lower Yosemite Falls


Lower Yosemite Falls


Lower Yosemite wind at the Bridge

Flyguy, When I saw the thread topic I had to check it out.
I will not be there but a guy named Michael Frye may. He has a web site "michaelfrye.com" and only lives an hour away. When at his web site check out his news letter and Blog,(top left side) I get them via e-mail.
He has a book (The Photographer's Guide to Yosemite) I picked up at the Ansel Adams Gallery in the park. I think near the visitors center. It is full of information, such as the month, dates, times, weather conditions,locations to shoot from and how to get the best shot in different conditions. A lot of Yosemite and photo info in only 130 pages and it only cost $10. One of the best books I have. He seems to enjoy sharing what he knows with others and ask people to come up and introduce themselves. This book and others are also available in electronic format at his web site. Check it out, If you like Yosemite I think you will like the site.
Enjoy the trip, Mike

My 70-200 f4L creeps when carrying so it is one of the things I looked for and there was no creep,everything about it seemed like a new lens. I even gave it a little encouragement to creep in the vertical position.

I am tempted to send my 70-200 in if it doesn't cost too much.

Thanks, Mike

Oops, sorry I was out of the loop for a day after my last post.

Pebble & Pigpen,
Thanks for the options but I did purchased the used Canon 24-70 f2.8L on the 30th. I don't think I made that very clear in my last post.

I had been looking for the last month or two and finally made the move to purchase this one if it looked good. He had the original paperwork, there is no apparent sign of use and it works perfectly. I am happy to have it.

One thing for sure, next time I will definitely used the resources at UHH more before the final purchase. There are a lot of eyes and ears searching all the time. One more reason for using UHH.

Thanks to everyone for the help, Mike

I like the way you think!