Year of Yosemite (YOY) – Day 90 (Trail Maintenance)

Jeff

Typical view of a Yosemite Trail 

Typical view of a Yosemite Trail

As we visit the national parks, we are always amazed and appreciative of the care that is given to maintaining the trails. As most people know, the parks are not well-funded and are attracting increasing numbers of visitors.

BTW – The photograph above was taken during our hike along the Four Mile Trail at Yosemite…notice the cobble stone-like section.

Certainly there are areas where maintenance is lacking and certain amenities need upgrading, but when it comes to the trails which are often very far away from electricity, running water, roads, etc. they are mostly groomed.

We have been on trails where trees have fallen across the path. In a visit to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, we hiked a loop trail and noticed that on the way out a tree had obstructed a path that was clear on the way in. We understand, however, that not every trail can be reviewed every day or every week or even every six months. I think this is part of the allure of hiking, i.e. one never knows what they will find.

I want to tip my hat and thank those who work on helping to care for our trails in the national parks. We appreciate any effort made to ease our way. Many a stubbed toe has been avoided by these efforts!

 
Do you have a question about our visit to Yosemite? Ask it in the comment section.

 

JBRish.com originally published this post
*All photographs Copyright by Jeffrey B. Ross with all rights reserved.

 
See previous Year of Yosemite (YOY) posts HERE. If you want to read the introduction to the YOY series, CLICK HERE.

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STATUS QUOtes — 20161003

Jeff

“A person is not old as long as they are seeking something. [ed]” — Jean Rostand

“I am not a product of my circumstances. I am a product of my decisions.” — Stephen Covey

“Beauty is not defined by the masses but by the opinion of the individual.” — Rune Leknes

“We can learn much from wise words, little from wisecracks, and less from wise guys.” — William Arthur Ward

 

JBRish.com originally published this post

See previous STATUS QUOtes HERE

Pickleball Strategy – Where to Aim the Serve

Jeff

Adapted from 100 Pickleball Strategies by Jeff Shank*

For those of you who may not know Jeff Shank, let me tell you just a bit. Jeff is one of the country’s best pickleball players and he has done very well in national tournaments.

Jeff has been very generous in sharing his tips and techniques with others in the pickleball community. I first heard Jeff when he was interviewed on the Pickleball Show by Chris Allen. He is a non-assuming, sincere guy.

Jeff has created a video with 100 Pickleball Strategies. It is an hour long and most players probably do not want to sit and watch an hour of strategy and techniques so what I have done (with permission) is to re-purpose the video by breaking it down into discrete segments.

(Just as a side note here – strategy is only one part of the game. It is the knowing what to do or at least what you hope to do. The other part of the game, and perhaps a bit more important, is being able to do what the strategy indicates.)

What I plan for each segment I post based on Jeff’s video, is to include a summary of the key points being highlighted. Naturally, the video speaks for itself, but sometimes an “executive summary” helps.

For those who are interested, here (first video below) is the introduction to the series from the video:



So…without further ado, I present the first tip offered by Jeff Shank – Where to Serve the Ball.

Where to Serve the Ball (Location):

Aiming for your opponent’s weakest skill shot


NOTES from Pickleball Strategy – Where to Aim the Serve:

  • Serve Deep and to the Backhand – Generally speaking, serve to your opponent’s weakest return shot. For most average players, this would be their backhand. Remember also to serve the ball deep.
  • If a player tries to protect their backhand, try to serve to the opposite corner of the service area.
  • For left-handed players, reverse the target areas (placement) as Jeff demonstrates.
  • If a player has an aggressive return of serve and hits the ball hard and low, try to serve them short where they need to run up for the ball. This will reduce their chances of hitting a powerful (aggressive) return shot.
  • If a player wants to take the serve with their backhand, serve to their forehand. Watch your opponent to see where they stand. They will probably “protect” their weak spot and help you strategize.

*This adaptation has been done with permission form Jeff Shank! Many thanks to Jeff and others for allowing this to be presented to the pickleball community via this blog.

To See Pickleball Videos Covering Many Aspects of the Game Click Here (primarily for beginners and less experienced players)

Check out Additional Pickleball Info and Videos! (for all players including average to more experienced players)

Year of Yosemite (YOY) – Day 89 (Cascade Creek Waterfall)

Jeff

Waterfalls leading to Cascade Creek 

Waterfall leading to Cascade Creek

If you have been following my YOY series of posts, by now I think you have the idea that in spring and early summer and during an average year of rainfall, it would be hard to avoid waterfalls at Yosemite National Park; they are everywhere!

The waterfall pictured above was on the high side of route 120 as it cuts through the mountains surrounding the valley. On the other side of the roadway was Cascade Creek highlighted in YOY 68. While this is not a thunderous waterfall, it is substantial and it beautifully meanders down the rocky mountain slope to form a picturesque site. The attraction, however, pales in comparison to Yosemite’s other falls and may be overlooked.

There are two pullouts nearby and I think it is worthy of a stop!

 
Do you have a question about our visit to Yosemite? Ask it in the comment section.

 

JBRish.com originally published this post
*All photographs Copyright by Jeffrey B. Ross with all rights reserved.

 
See previous Year of Yosemite (YOY) posts HERE. If you want to read the introduction to the YOY series, CLICK HERE.

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Meta Data – Day 89 YOY – Year of Yosemite

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STATUS QUOtes — 20161002

Jeff

“How we walk with the broken speaks louder than how we sit with the great.” — Bill Bennot

“The only stable state is the one in which all people are equal before the law.[ed]” — Aristotle

“Master your instrument, master the music, and then forget all that crap and just play.” — Charlie Parker

“Money still talks these days… trouble is, you have to increase the volume alot!” — Alfred E. Neuman

 

JBRish.com originally published this post

See previous STATUS QUOtes HERE

Year of Yosemite (YOY) – Day 88 (Mariposa Lily – Hetch Hetchy)

Jeff

Mariposa Lily at Hetch HetchyMariposa Lily at Hetch Hetchy, Yosemite NP

One of the wonders of Hetch Hetchy when we visited in early June, 2016 was the fields of wildflowers still blooming in large numbers enveloping the Wapama Falls Trail at times. Among them was the Mariposa Lily pictured above. As you can note from the photograph it wasn’t alone on this canvas as other wildflowers were vying for attention all around.

If you look closely, you can see an insect in the bottom-right of the flower. It is yellow and black and the antennae can be seen raising above the insect.

 
Do you have a question about our visit to Yosemite? Ask it in the comment section.

 

JBRish.com originally published this post
*All photographs Copyright by Jeffrey B. Ross with all rights reserved.

 
See previous Year of Yosemite (YOY) posts HERE. If you want to read the introduction to the YOY series, CLICK HERE.

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Meta Data – Day 88 YOY – Year of Yosemite

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STATUS QUOtes — 20161001

Jeff

“Laws, like the spider’s webs, catch the flies and let the hawk go free.” — Danish Proverb

“The distance is nothing; it is only the first step that is difficult.” — Madame Marie du Deffand

“Wounded vanity knows when it is mortally hurt and limps off the field, piteous, all disguises thrown away. But pride carries its banner to the last and fast as it is driven from one field unfurls it in another, never admitting that there is a shade less honor in the second field than in the first, or in the third than in the second.” — Helen Hunt Jackson

“A boy doesn’t have to go to war to be a hero; he can say he doesn’t like pie when he sees there isn’t enough to go around.” — Edgar Watson Howe

 

JBRish.com originally published this post

See previous STATUS QUOtes HERE

Year of Yosemite (YOY) – Day 87 (Half Dome – From the East)

Jeff

Half Dome from Olmstead Point 

Half Dome from Olmstead Point

Olmstead Point is one of those turnouts one doesn’t read much about in the literature; at least I hadn’t seen much about it. As we were driving along Tioga Road, we came across this vantage point and we were stunned by the amazing views.

The picture of Half Dome above is one that is not generally seen as many of the viewing spots are located on the other side of this Yosemite notable. Olmstead Point is northeast of Half Dome and according to the map, approximately three miles away (+/-).

The actual colors of the giant rock are not revealed well from this distance as the atmosphere lends a blue cast to the capture. There is at least one good hiking trail from this overlook (Olmsted Point trail) that we noted. Unfortunately,we did not take the earmarked hike, but now wish we had as it is remarked to be “one of the great values in scenery per square meter”.

 
Do you have a question about our visit to Yosemite? Ask it in the comment section.

 

JBRish.com originally published this post
*All photographs Copyright by Jeffrey B. Ross with all rights reserved.

 
See previous Year of Yosemite (YOY) posts HERE. If you want to read the introduction to the YOY series, CLICK HERE.

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Meta Data – Day 87 YOY – Year of Yosemite

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STATUS QUOtes — 20160930

Jeff

“Even a fish can escape being caught, if it keeps its mouth shut.” — Confucius

“He who binds to himself a joy does the winged life destroy; But he who kisses the joy as it flies lives in eternity’s sun rise.” — William Blake

“A book is a heart that beats in the chest of another.” — Rebecca Solnit

“The New York Times is read by the people who run the country; the Washington Post is read by the people who think they run the country; the National Enquirer is read by the people who think Elvis is alive and running the country.” — Robert J. Woodhead

 

JBRish.com originally published this post

See previous STATUS QUOtes HERE