Yosemite Valley is a glacially carved valley in Yosemite National Park, located in the Sierra Nevada mountains of California. About eight miles (thirteen kilometers) long, it is surrounded by high granite cliffs and monoliths. Most of the park is also densely forested with several species of pine trees. Several streams and rivers flow into the valley and merge into the Merced River. Although the valley comprises about one percent of the total area of the park, it is where most visitors come. In the early Spring, the colorful shades of green in the valley provide contrast with the snow on the peaks. In the winter, snowfall can create dramatic images for photographers. In the late spring and early summer, the valley's elevation, combined with a clean atmosphere, create conditions for sometimes spectacular cloud effects. The fall colors come shortly after the first freeze, usually in October or November. Various scenes do more than simply change appearance with the seasons. Because of the high walls of the valley, an observer sitting at one place can watch the shadows shifting throughout the day, often dramatically. Changes in weather also bring about alternations to the landscape. Because the valley floor is just short of 4000 feet [1219 meters], mists and clouds often hang within the valley. Because of the valley's curvature along with its east-west orientation, the light within the valley is frequently dramatic at both dawn and dusk. If there are high clouds over the valley when the sun is just below the horizon in the west, light reflected from the bottom of the clouds can create an effect called alpenglow, which puts a soft pink glow on the granite. Half Dome is often bathed in pink as the sun is setting. The pictures in this volume illustrate views that change throughout the day as well as throughout the seasons.
About the Author: J-J Stewart was born in Long Beach, California. It was a three-generation household including his parents, his mother's father, and his brother. When J-J was four, he started performing his older brother's piano lessons, so lessons were started for him as well. After graduating with honors from high school in a graduating class of 941, he went on to Long Beach City College and Cal-State Long Beach. Eventually he earned a degree in piano and voice, attending classes with Karen and Richard Carpenter of "The Carpenters" fame. J-J then decided to go into full-time Christian service, moving to Fort Worth and Texas Christian University. After getting his professional degree and becoming ordained, J-J accepted a position in California. Less than two years later J-J returned to T.C.U. to earn his doctorate. Along the way he also picked up a certificate in clinical pastoral counseling. In the 1980's J-J became intensely interested in evangelism. About that time he began to grow spiritually as he intensely studied the Bible. J-J also trained as a consultant in evangelism and church growth. Hurricane Andrew struck South Florida in August of 1992, and in the spring of 1993 J-J went there to do hurricane relief work, which took me nearly three years. J-J developed a system of Bible study and disciplined himself to adhere to it, rising an hour earlier each morning to do so. In December of 1999 J-J moved to Eugene, Oregon in order to be closer to his brother. At that time J-J began work on his first novel. J-J has published several books. Lasting Love is about six couples whose marriages thrived. Faith and Yosemite has Christian poetry with pictures of the National Park. Faith Fuel is a book of inspirational thoughts about living the Christian life. Life Before Conception: A Fantasy is an epic romantic adventure among the stars, including stars in the media and those in the sky. He has also published picture books of Yosemite Valley.