Yosemite

Morning found us on the road again. We traveled the winding roads of California and hooked up to Hwy 41. Climbing high up into the mountains, we entered a huge long tunnel and when we popped out into the bright sun, before our eyes lay one of the most beautiful panoramas of our trip. The Yosemite Valley spread out before us with El Capitan to our left, Bridalveil Fall to the right and a far off glimpse of Half Dome pulling it all together.

Traffic was heavy so we couldn't stop at this time, but came back up to Tunnel View twice during our stay. Our campsites were in the Upper Pines Campground and this meant that we had to drive the entire Yosemite Vally road system to get there. The park was packed! Never have we been to a national park, on the shoulder season, and run into so many people. We kept saying "imagine how packed this place would be during the peak season."

Our campsites were good, but not great. Linda and my site was located on a corner so we didn't have people to our right, but a group to the left. Steve and Jodi had people camped on each side, but they were out in the open where the sun was welcome and warm.

Once we were set up we took Steve's truck and drove around. Everything in the Yosemite Valley is relatively close and the park provides free shuttle buses to keep the traffic down. We lucked out and found parking spots wherever we went, but after the first day, we left the truck home and used the shuttle system.

While we were in the park we walked to many of the viewpoints and took a couple of longer hikes. Pictures were a huge focus and everyone found themselves stopping regularly and snapping a hundred shots or so.

It would be pretty hard to tell you about all the things we saw so I will just list them: Half Dome, El Capitan, Bridalveil Falls, Lower Sentinel Fall, Lower and Upper Yosemite Falls, the Merced River, and Staircase Falls. We did a hike up to Vernal Falls and on the way spotted Illilouette Falls. Two coyotes came within eight feet of us as they hunted field mice, and on the way out of the park, Jodi and Steve spotted a big black bear. Quite an exciting few days. We loved Yosemite and want to return.

El Capitan, can you see the climbers?

Pulling gear on the route called "The Nose."

Look at the light square in the center of the photo.
That is where the climbers are.

They came within eight feet of us.

Half Dome.