Yosemite National Park

We were very excited to have the opportunity to return to Yosemite National Park!  Our last visit was in September 2006.  Since it was fall, most of the water in the park was gone, so we didn't even see Yosemite Falls and Bridal Veil Falls was just a whisp.  Now we would visit in the spring when there would be lots of snow melt and the falls should be running well.  We were not disappointed! 

The road to our campground was Glenn's favorite kind - NOT!  A steep, winding road that he knew he would have to descend once our stay was over.  We had been to this campground before, remote and right along a river.  It's very quiet and beautiful, but we did not remember that we would get no TV reception, cell phone signal or internet (unless we went to the lodge),  But our main purpose there was to see Yosemite, we would survive.  But it did put me behind on my blogging!


Upper Yosemite Falls

Upper and Lower Yosemite Falls



Lower Yosemite Falls

 Yosemite Falls was absolutely amazing!  Especially since the last time we visited it was non-existent due to the dry weather.  The upper falls were visible from many viewpoints and we hiked to the lower falls.  It was crazy how the temperature dropped as we approached the lower falls.  I think it created it's own wind! There is a trail to the upper falls, but it takes hardier folks than we are.

 

As we were traveling around the park, we passed a coyote.  Glenn pulled off the road so I could see if I could get a picture of it.  It was just trotting up the road towards us and Glenn kept warning me not to get bit!  I got back in the truck and it came right up to the door.  Something tells me some visitors had been feeding it!

 

View from Glacier Point

We drove up to Glacier Point which had just re-opened for the spring.  There were still a few snow banks left up there.  This is where you get a breath-taking view of El Capitan, Half Dome and 2 waterfalls.  It would be easy to sit there all day, taking in the wonder of it all!

Half Dome

Our next stop was Bridal Veil Falls. On the left was how it looked in the fall of 2006.

Below this photo is was how we saw it this year.  Quite a difference!  In '06, Glenn climbed up some of the large boulders near the base.  This time, as soon as we could see the falls on the trail, we were getting wet from the over-spray!



 

Another advantage to visiting the park in the spring was being able to enjoy the dogwoods blooming and seeing the spring flowers.



 

 

 

Field of Lupines

Close up of Lupines

As we drove through parts of the park, something red caught my eye.  I thought at first it was some kind of marker.  I saw it again on the way to the Mariposa Grove.  When we went in the visitor center, I asked about it.  Turns out it's a Snowflower.  If I remember correctly, it grows at an elevation of 4,00 to 6,000 feet.  That would explain why I've never seen it growing at home!

Group of Snowflowers

 

Close up of Snowflower.  Kind of strange with no leaves.

It was a pretty drive down to Mariposa Grove.  We saw several more waterfalls along the way.  To see the big trees at Mariposa, you board a shuttle at the general store.  Unfortunately, Glenn was still feeling icky (maybe from the pie he had the night before), so we drove back to the campsite.
 

Stone archway at south entrance

We were disappointed that Tioga Road was not open yet.  It runs through the park with a high point of around 10,000 feet.  It also takes you to the Tuolumne Meadows.  Well, maybe next time.

 

Leaving our campground was an adventure all it's own!  Glenn was worried about the downgrades on the winding road, then we ran into fog!  But at least he couldn't see the drop-offs!  As we finally got out of the twists and turns and the fog lifted, there was a cow in the road!  We slowed down and the cow sauntered off to greener pastures.

 

Our plan was to make our way to Las Vegas next with a stop-over in Bakersfield, CA for some maintenance on the motorhome.  However, we got a call from friends we met our first year working at Amazon.com in Kentucky.  Pam and Willie Gros were going to be in Williams, AZ  Since we were headed to the Grand Canyon after Vegas, we changed plans and headed for Williams after an oil change and generator tune-up.