~Day 310 / Mile 26,300

I last left you from a camping trip with Shoestring Adventures in Sequoia National Park. Though we all had such a grand time and wanted to continue the fun all week, the group needed to go home for their jobs. Jee-aw-b-zuh. Whatever that noise is.

I was planning on ripping back to Sonoma County where my family lives, but really there was no rush. ...unfortunately my fishing for a new occupation still hasn't caught an employer - but luckily that leaves my schedule wide open for more blog content!

Because I have the freedom, while driving through central California I made the impromptu decision to visit Yosemite again. — Because I have the freedom, while driving through central California I made the impromptu decision to visit Yosemite again.

The tourist view at the tunnel turnoff. You have to bump shoulders to get this classic postcard photo of El Capitan.

Right when I arrived in the beautiful Yosemite Valley, I saw this ugly plume of smoke quickly rising over the horizon.

By the time I made it up the hill, the fire had already spread hundreds of acres. Firefighting crews were already on it, dropping flame retardant from air tankers and huge buckets of water from their helicopters. Somebody hadn't been listening … — By the time I made it up the hill, the fire had already spread hundreds of acres. Firefighting crews were already on it, dropping flame retardant from air tankers and huge buckets of water from their helicopters. Somebody hadn't been listening to ole Smokey The Bear.

Off the main path at Glacier Point is a highly unadvised trail to the cliff's edge. (...skateboarders often turn a blind eye to the rules) At sunset I placed my camera and tripod a couple feet from the drop, snapping this breath taking self-por… — Off the main path at Glacier Point is a highly unadvised trail to the cliff's edge. (...skateboarders often turn a blind eye to the rules) At sunset I placed my camera and tripod a couple feet from the drop, snapping this breath taking self-portrait with the last light hitting Half Dome off in the background.

Having that classic FOMO, I wondered if the photo would look better at sunrise. You decide; do you like this or the previous shot?

If you were wondering what it was like posing for that photo... 3000' straight down to the trees! You don't want to trip here.  (turn up the brightness on your screen) — If you were wondering what it was like posing for that photo... 3000' straight down to the trees! You don't want to trip here. (turn up the brightness on your screen)

Back to that FOMO (fear of missing out), I always wondered what the northern area of Yosemite was like, so I took the road over Tioga Pass to Hwy 395.

My van's motor was overheating from the climb up the steep hills, so we took a break to cool off at this pond.

My van was fine when passing this one, but I convinced myself to stop and stretch my legs alongside this beauty. Who wants to camp and go canoe around here?? — My van was fine when passing this one, but I convinced myself to stop and stretch my legs alongside this beauty. Who wants to camp and go canoe around here??

Since my new route was heading through Tahoe, it only made sense to visit the town where I went to High School, Truckee!

Actually, this may be my favorite structure in all of Tahoe.

Somebody was going for a nice little cruise around Donner Lake.

Don't you just love the character of these mountain communities? I sure do.

That previously mentioned lack of employment had grown my overnight stay into 3 weeks of Tahoe adventures. My old roommate from Reno generously offered a parking spot in his driveway for my van, and even full use of his kitchen and bathroom. It was great to catch up, and do some new things. I biked trails I hadn't rolled on since 1995, and even stepped it up to a 107 mile ride around the lake. We brainstormed career plans to bring me back, but nothing that could happen immediately, unless it's as a lift operator this winter.

I convinced my good buddy Tyler to go on a couple adventures with me. This was a fallen tree into Donner Lake that I spotted while cycling the day before. I told him they would make great Tinder profile pics.

Even though I lived all over Tahoe from 1991-2006, I had never been down to the shore of DL Bliss state park. Maybe since I'm getting more comfortable with heights it makes sense now.

Since I feel like it's my new mission to find cliffs and photograph them, Leslie and I hiked up to Donner Summit and climbed Devils Peak. This drop is 'only' a couple hundred feet right behind her though... child's play. — Since I feel like it's my new mission to find cliffs and photograph them, Leslie and I hiked up to Donner Summit and climbed Devils Peak. This drop is 'only' a couple hundred feet right behind her though... child's play.

There's always been something about A-frame cabins that I've been attracted to. I went on a little search, actually a detailed hunt in the area to find and document them. This one, I want so bad. — There's always been something about A-frame cabins that I've been attracted to. I went on a little search, actually a detailed hunt in the area to find and document them. This one, I want so bad.

Look up #CabinPorn on Instagram. You too may get passionate about these homes.

I can only imagine what treasures this interior holds.

I have about 10 more photos, though am sure your ADD is already...

Now it's back to work networking through LinkedIn for new career opps. Until the next adventure...