The 2012 Photographic Tour in the USA again proved to be a truly wonderful experience for all those who went. Below is a tiny example of images obtained during this 23 day tour of California’s wonders. Our journey started in the King’s Canyon and Sequoia National Parks, walking along the trails to the groves of giant trees, so large they defy description…and almost impossible to portray accurately with photographs. FRom here we travelled North through California’s crop and fruit growing areas into Merced and again up into the Sierra Nevada Mountains to Yosemite National Park. This National Park is truly amazing….and we had a week to try and experience the place in all its spring glory. A mixture of weather proved a delightful source of inspiration as misty damp conditions proved ideal for water, waterfalls, the river and close-ups of the blooming Mountain dogwood and other spring blooms. When the sun shone, it did so in remarkable splendour. After the valley for six days we headed even further up into the mountains, over Tioga Pass, through the Tuolomne Meadows and down into Mammoth Lakes. The area is superb with over 20 lakes to photograph and marvel at. This area was our base for exploring the lakes and wilderness and forests, and trips included time at Bizarre but wonderful Mono Lake and an afternoon in the old Western Ghost town of Body, near the Nevada Border. Out next stop was Lake Tahoe, which borders Nevada, a blue and spectacular lake which volume is the third largest in the USA. Forest trails and lake side views, plus a dusting of snow to make it all that more amazing. We had time to experience the Lake in different moods with many getting up early to watch the light show of the sun cast its colours over the snow-clad mountains that completely surround this beautiful spot. Other places of note include Eagle falls and the Emerald bay area. Our final destination was San-Francisco. Six days and the city turned on its charm, with what the locals could not believe was a week of the most glorious weather…. 24 degrees daytime and full sun!  Everyone loved the experiences that only this city can offer, and trips included time out at the Famous Alcatraz and a half day tour up in the Muir Woods. It proved once again that these specially designed photographic Tours and totally addictive and wonderful to be part of! Many on the trip want to go again….. If you are interested, there are tours with me and Peter Walton to the USA every year, so check out the pages on this blog that have all the information for the tour next year and also 2014