
A California couple traveled far and wide in their Studebaker sedan in the early 1900s and, in the process, took nearly 3,000 photographs documenting their adventures.

Between 1905 and 1938, William and Grace McCarthy took 2,998 photos of their travels, including iconic California landmarks such Yosemite National Park, which is remaining open despite the government's shutdown at 12.01am on Saturday.

Photos show their car underneath a hollowed-out Giant Sequoia and the freedom of the park before railings and nets were installed - an effort to keep people safe that nonetheless is a man-made addition to a pristine natural environment.

Such sights would, of course, be unheard of today.

Grace and William McCarthy (standing at the right of the car) and an unidentified woman pose with their car underneath the arched rock on what in 1917 was called Merced River Drive. The space is now the Arched Rock Entrance to Yosemite Valley

The couple squeezed their vehicle into the tunnel carved through California Tree, a giant sequoia in the Mariposa Grove of Yosemite National Park that was cut through in 1895 to help facilitate travel. The photo dates from 1917

This photo from 1917, captioned 'Driveway Through the Dead Giant' shows Grave (next to automobile) and William (far right) along with an unidentified woman at the tunnel of The Dead Giant, the remains of a giant sequoia in Tuolumne Grove

The couple took 2,998 photos of their travels between 1905 and 1938. They lived in San Francisco and traveled extensively around North America. Pictured is a photo from their 1917 trip to Yosemite. The couple also traveled there in 1935

This photograph from the 1935 trip to Yosemite shows the Valley with El Capitan on the left, Bridalveil Falls on the right and Half Dome in the distance. The valley is framed by the Wawona highway tunnel

Several horseback riders holding long poles skirmish in what appears to be a game similar to polo that is played with a potato. The rock cliff walls of Yosemite Valley tower in the background. The photo is from 1917

Their photography collection, previously donated to the California State Archives in 1996, has now been made available online. The photos were donated by the couple's great niece.

William (1876-1956), an armaments expert who worked during World War I, and Grace (1878-1957) had no children and spent much of their married life together in San Francisco.

Instead, they spent their free time traveling all around North America - from a 10,000-mile road trip across the US to a trip to Mexico.

'[They] really took advantage of the travel opportunities that an automobile provides,' archivist Jessica Herrick told SFGATE.

Photos show the couple hiking - for example, on Yosemite National Park's iconic Half Dome - and interacting with animals.

The couple made multiple trips to Yosemite, including in 1917 and in 1935.

Grace and two unidentified people pose next to their mode of transportation on a dirt road in the park, which spans around 1,150 square miles. The photo dates from 1917

This 1917 photo of Yosemite Falls shows both the Upper and Lower falls and is taken from the valley floor. Collectively, the falls' cascades total 2,425 feet

This photo from 1917 shows a view of the valley from its floor. The couple's photography collection, previously donated to the California State Archives in 1996, has now been made available online. The photos were donated by the couple's great niece

Nevada Fall, pictured in 1917, cascades nearly 600 feet and is upstream of Vernal Fall on the Merced River in Little Yosemite Valley

The San Luis Obispo Tribune reports that they often put a tarp over their car and brought along a mattress to camp out during their travels.

In 1890, Yosemite became the nation's third national park. The site was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1894.

The park posted a statement from Congressman Tom McClintock on its website regarding the government shutdown's effect on it.

It reads: 'Entrances to the parks will remain open and businesses within the parks may continue to operate under contingency plans now being finalized with the Park Service.

'The medical clinic at Yosemite Valley will remain open and public safety personnel will remain on duty.

'Reservations will continue to be honored at concession venues and the parks will be administered with the objective of causing the least inconvenience and discomfort to park visitors.'

William is pictured feeding a bear in 1935. William (1876-1956), an armaments expert who worked during World War I, and Grace (1878-1957) had no children and spent much of their married life together in San Francisco

The couple poses in front of their tent at what was then called Camp Curry, and then later Curry Village, in 1917. The camp was established in 1899 by David and Jennie Curry as a means to provide cheaper accommodations for tourists

This 1935 photo shows the McCarthys standing at the entrance to a Native American abode covered in tree bark and is titled 'Indian Wigwam, Yosemite National Park'

Grace is pictured posing next to a toboggan run at Camp Curry in 1935. The couple spent their free time traveling all around North America - from a 10,000-mile road trip across the US to a trip to Mexico

William is pictured on the steep trail to the summit of the iconic Half Dome. The cables used to assist hikers follow a route laid down by George Anderson, who reached the summit in 1875

This 1935 photo shows William standing at the doorway of a snowed-in cabin in Yosemite National Park. Photos show the freedom of the park before railings and nets were installed - an effort to keep people safe that nonetheless is a man-made addition to a pristine natural environment

A sled dog team pulls unidentified people at the park in 1935. '[They] really took advantage of the travel opportunities that an automobile provides,' archivist Jessica Herrick told SFGATE in reference to the couple

This 1917 photo, called 'The Village', depicts Yosemite Village, the most developed part of the valley. Development began at the site in 1865, but most of the buildings were constructed after 1918

William stands in front of the Ahwahnee Hotel in 1935. The resort hotel was opened in 1927 and was designed by architect Gilbert Stanley Underwood. Its name was changed to the Majestic Yosemite Hotel in 2016

This 1917 photo, titled 'Mountains in Yosemite,' shows a view of rock cliffs and domes in the mountains surrounding Yosemite Valley

This photo titled 'Yosemite Driveways' was taken in 1917 and shows William (right) and Grace (left, near vehicle) along with an unidentified woman

This up-close photo shows Nevada Fall, which cascades 594 feet. The 1917 photo was taken at a point next to the fall's path of descent and shows its upper portion

This photo shows Yosemite Falls as viewed from Glacier Point in 1917. The San Luis Obispo Tribune reports that the couple often put a tarp over their car and brought along a mattress to camp out during their travels

This photo taken from the Ledge Trail in 1917 shows Yosemite Falls in the distance and the Half Dome Village below

This photo shows Vernal Fall in 1935. In 1890, Yosemite became the nation's third national park. The site was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1894

This 1917 photo shows an up-close view of the Upper and Lower Yosemite Falls. The Upper Fall alone is 1,430 feet high

Pictured is a bird's-eye view of the granite mountains of Yosemite National Park. The park posted a statement from Congressman Tom McClintock on its website regarding the government shutdown's effect on it

Grace and two unidentified friends pose for a photograph on the trail to Yosemite Falls in 1917. The statement reads in part: 'Entrances to the parks will remain open and businesses within the parks may continue to operate under contingency plans now being finalized with the Park Service'

Lucy Parker Telles, a Mono Lake Paiute who lived at Yosemite and Mono Lake, worked as Yosemite's master basket weaver. Telles was one of a group of Mono-Paiute women renowned for the artistry of their stunning baskets, many of which they sold to visitors. She is pictured posing with her 36-inch basket, which took her four years to complete and captured first prize at the 1933 World's Fair in Chicago. The photo dates from 1935

Vernall Fall is pictured in a romantic and postcard-worthy view in 1935. The statement regarding the government shutdown continues: 'The medical clinic at Yosemite Valley will remain open and public safety personnel will remain on duty'

The couple stands on a rock near a waterfall in 1935. The statement concludes: 'Reservations will continue to be honored at concession venues and the parks will be administered with the objective of causing the least inconvenience and discomfort to park visitors'

This 1935 photo shows a Mirror Lake. Yosemite National Park is one of 59 national parks in the United States

William is pictured feeding a deer in 1935. If appears the deer might want a taste of his shirt as well

A deer looks away as Grace offers the animal food in this photo from the couple's 1935 trip to Yosemite Valley

Yosemite National Park's iconic Half Dome is pictured covered in snow in this photograph from the collection

Visitors to the park enjoy ice skating in the park as its granite mountains loom in the distance

An unidentified California Indian woman wearing a long skirt and shawl and carrying a small pail is pictured in 1935