Dawn
 

Despite what the park ranger might suggest, climbing that mountain before dawn is a very good thing.

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Four hours before the tram will even begin operating...

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No crowds of tourists to ruin the dawn. Wonderful quiet.

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Wake up early, drink lots of coffee, grab your camera!

There's this whole world before 8:30am I had no idea existed.

Nice! Where is that?

Here are two of my own from last month. Dawn on Mt. David in Lewiston ME. There was a balloon festival, so it was worth getting up there by 6AM for a good view of the town.

That's a beautiful cathedral.

Yeah, it is. I'm amazed that Lewiston ME was able to raise enough $ to build it. I guess back in the day, this old mill town had some money.

Stone Mountain, GA, just outside of Atlanta. It was too hazy to get a decent shot of the city, sadly.

Nice shot of the balloon and city.

It gives a great sense of the quiet though. I like these shots.

So was the hike a difficult one? You know, not like it was Everest or anything like that, but first thing in the morning hiking is different from hiking when you've had a chance to wake up and start the day with a regular routine.

Stone Mountain is an easy walk up as long as the summer sun isn't beating down on you -- the bare, white granite is very reflective and you'll burn to a crisp. The last 1/8th is pretty steep but if I can make it up, anyone can.

The most difficult part is being confronted with this telephone pole at the start of the trail. I guess you're going to want to spit out that gum before beginning your ascent...

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Better to stick it there than have it stuck all over the granite path going up the mountain.

Please don't further my belief that all Americans are slack-jawed masticators, chewing insouciantly at everything from a funeral to an orgy...

(okay, I've just watched too much MTV One, I know it's not a true reflection of US society any more than Jessica Simpson is a typical American woman)

No, but she has pretty boobies.

a sneak preview of my Iowa commute string
 

Dawn at 12,000 ASL, before dawn below. Mount Ranier.

Sun beginning to set - leaving work...

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Continuing Jester's transition to sunset, here's a pic from Port Orford, Oregon.
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Beauuuuutiful pie!