WrayH, the Best

[Gary W. Graley]

Had an opportunitity to travel out to Fresno/Madera CA this week
and emailed to Wray that I was headed out on an impromptu trip
he contacted me back and headed down on Monday to stay in
Fresno to visit and then travel back Tuesday morning, he was kind
enough to pay for dinner that night, ate at a place called
"Cool Hand Luke" Steak place, pretty good food, said I was a cheap
date though but, after the soup and meal, which I couldn't finish,
I was very full

Wray also brought many toys to browse through, his sharpening skills
are right up there, VERY sharp knives does he have!

Thanks again Wray, so very good to finally meet you in person!
G2

 

[WrayH]

Many thanks for the kind words, Gary. Your email indicating that you were to be in Fresno on business led to a very enjoyable experience. Fresno is not exactly "next door" to the SF Bay Area but it was too close to pass up the opportunity. It was a pleasant drive and a perfect excuse to get out of my normal routine and get on the road.

After our many emails, telephone conversations and various transactions involving knives and/or sheaths over the past four or five years I was very pleased to finally meet you in person and put a face to the name and voice. I had a great time and hope that another such opportunity comes about in the future.

I also hope that you were able to make the side trip to see the Yosemite Valley that we discussed and were able to get some great photos.

 

[Gary W. Graley]

Forgot to mention what a nice car he has too, quite a snappy acceleration!

and yep, made it to Yosemite, love the place, barely got there in time to get
many shots and it was quite a bit colder there than the valley!

They had some tame mule deer with nice antlers that I was able to get a shot of;

the tunnel shot, took my life in hand kneeling down on the center line but
luckily no one came as I was taking the picture;

The grand vista;

a little reflection;

and a farewell as I was leaving the park;

Nice place but wow the roads are TWISTY!!
G2

 

[OldPhysics]

The twisty roads are worth it. Yosemite is simply exquisite -- I have many wonderful childhood memories of that place. Hiking, camping, climbing, just hanging around the real wilderness. I grew up in a small, rural town in central CA (not too far from Yosemite).

I hear it's much busier now. But your photos tell the true tale -- it is as beautiful and pristine as ever.

Many thanks for the memory-jogger.

 

[Gary W. Graley]

You're most welcome! it is a grand place, long drive up from Fresno but
as you say, it's worth the drive!

G2

 

[Danbo]

If I ever get to Fresno, I sure hope I can meet up with Wray, as I consider him one of the best out there. :thumbup:

 

[EdgeLurker]

Cool pics and excellent photography! Thanks for sharing Gary.

 

[Gary W. Graley]

Thanks EdgeLurker, and Danbo, get closer to the Bay area and you'll have
a better chance of meeting him, as he puts it, "no one GOES to Fresno"
G2

 

[WrayH]

Dan - You have an open invitation. If your travels bring you anywhere near the SF Bay Area please let me know when and where so that we can get together for coffee/lunch/dinner and some good conversation. I will do everything that I possibly can to try to make it happen.

I would like very much to finally meet you. I don't have any Bowies or other fixed blades for your viewing pleasure, but I do have some Ray Cover slipjoints and lockbacks that used to call Belleville home (and a few others) that you might like to say "Hi" to and get reacquainted with.

Gary - Your photos, as always, are beautiful. I guess I sort of forgot to warn you about the roads, increased elevation and probable temperature difference - sorry 'bout that!

I am glad that you were able to arrange to get up there to Yosemite. It would have been a shame for such a gifted photographer as yourself to miss the opportunity for such images as one sees everywhere there.

I am very pleased that your trip out here went well and that you had a good time.