We received a lot of advice about getting to Yosemite early, parking in one of the main lots and then taking the Shuttle, which takes you to just about every popular place, or you can hike from those popular places to where you want to be. This was our plan until my 14-year-old daughter sprained her ankle literally two days before our trip and ended up on crutches.  Our plans for hiking now had to be adjusted to Plan B: driving and parking as close to the sights as possible.

When sunny skies meet mirrors and metal, the Chicago architecture pops before it melts into the clouds.

Sipping morning coffee in the mountain air at Half Dome while watching the sunrise in Yosemite is one of the greatest moments I've ever had. I've written previously about my goal not just to see Yosemite, but to experience Yosemite. There is nothing like the experience of mixing fresh, hot coffee, with cold pine air, watching the light bounce off the icy needles in the trees.

"You will never be completely at home again because part of your heart will...

You may have wanted to change your life for a very long time. Your life may have changed overnight and you are feeling lost, confused and fearful. So what's the secret?

Within an hour of JD meeting Z: "So you take a Flamingo, one of...