Yosemite is one of those parks that you put on a bucket list. It is truly an amazing experience. There is so much to see, and with 18 days to explore, we were able to see most of the park It was a wonderful place to spend time in. Since we started our trip in late September, we were able to miss the summer crowds. It was still crowded in the Valley, but the trails and drives away from the valley were not too bad. The sun was shining on us every day. Some days it was in the 80's some in the 60's, but it was always magnificent. The scenery here is like nothing else we have seen. We had a fun watching climbers on El Capitain and Half Dome working their way to the top. It was fun to watch, but not something we ever would have wanted to try, but we enjoyed watching those brave (crazy?) enough to try.
During our second week, Jim and Donna Barnes came to share in our experience. That made it that much more enjoyable. Jim and Sue did climb a mountain, albeit, not nearly the challenge of the more famous monoliths. It was so wonderful sharing this magical place with them. We had a great time hiking around Yosemite with them, and enjoying the many beautiful sites this park has to offer. We even took a side trip to visit California Caverns. It was a very special week.
Sue side note- I have to say how wonderful it was to spend time hiking with my brother Jim. It took this trip for me to realize that my siblings and I all enjoy walking, and we have our Dad to thank for that. I have always spent a great deal of time walking with Patti. When we visited Texas I spent a lot of time walking with my brother John. Our parents gave us a gift of enjoying the outdoors, but we all loved going on long walks with our Dad, and that is why we all walk fast. It's from years of trying to keep up with our father. I sure miss him, but my brothers are a lot like him in many ways. They are also great Dads.
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| Half Dome |
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| Yosemite Falls. Our early Fall stay lead to disappointing waterfalls. |
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| View from "The Majestic Yosemite Hotel" dining room. Formerly the Ahwahenee Hotel |
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| Bridal Veil Falls. |
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| El Capitan |
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| The tunnel at the Hetch Hetchy Reservior |
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| Hetch Hetchy Reservior |
Photos from inside the Iron Door Saloon, Groveland CA
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| Lunch at Yosemite Hotel |
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A walk in Tumolo Meadows
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This is the mountain Jim and Sue climbed. They made it to the top, and were ready to go back. Next time El Capitan (Hmmm)
The view from the top.
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| Hike in Merced Groves |
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| What would a giant redwood Grove be without a tree you can drive thru? |
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On our last day in Yosemite, we decided to explore the El Portal entrance. This is the entrance to Yosemite from highway 140. This entrance if from thru a space where to large boulders come together. This was created from a rock slide after the park was already opened. It makes for an impressive entrance, and campers can fit thru it.
We are lucky we went when we did. As we left the park HWY 140 had closed due to a forest fire. Fortunately we had returned prior to the fire, or we would have had a very long day as we we would have to take a very long detour back to our campground.
