Yosemite

Starting on Labor Day, Jessica and I took a trip to Yosemite for three nights. Other people ended up bailing on us. They missed out. It was lots of fun. I highly recommend it. The following pictures are among the better of the ones I took.


Yosemite Valley

Another Valley Pic


Day 1
We arrived at Yosemite around 2:00 or so in the afternoon on Labor Day. My first impression of the park was that it had way too many people. We had neighbors all around. It was like being in Europe over there because apparently the Europeans love the place. As soon as we unpacked, we set off on our first hike to the nearby Vernal and Nevada falls. Luckily Vernal Falls was still flowing so we got some good pictures.


Vernal Falls

Vernal Falls (again)

Vernal Pool


The way was steep, and lots of people were hiking the trail. There were many squirrels and other wildlife in Yosemite, and of course, the damn tourists don't know how to read signs, and feed all of them.


Squirrel!

Deer In the Parking Lot

Woodpecker


Day 2
The second day we headed off on another trail up to Upper Yosemite Falls. We never got there, but stopped at what I think was lookout point number one. It was midday, hot, and we were running out of water. But the view of the valley was fantastic. On all 3 nights, we had a fire burning. Gotta love campfires.


Lower Yosemite Falls

Half Dome Valley Shot

Half Dome


By the end of the second day I realized that Yosemite was not like camping at all. They have shuttle buses to take you around the valley, there were tons of food places all over, and I could get a beer and watch TV at the bar by the campground. Of course I assume this is just in the valley, and not the surrounding parts of the park.


Fire!

Evil Jessica

Breakfast


Day 3
On the third day our legs were very sore. Hiking uphill wasn't really a problem, just the muscles you use when you go down. Apparently I never use those, as my legs shook a lot towards the end of the previous hikes. I blame my dad for bad joints. So we took it easy and did the short easy hikes in the park. Mirror Lake was the first, and is a seasonal lake. I've seen dried up streams and ponds before, but this was pretty huge. Was like the beach with no water. Later, we hiked around Lower Yosemite Falls, which was completely dry. Afterwards, we made a "trek" over to the cafe, and lounged around sipping on sodas.


Mirror Lake

Mirror Lake (again)

Ahh, the Fields

Artsy Plant


Day 4
Day 4 saw us leave Yosemite as soon as we woke up. The journey back was long, and it was all worth it when we stopped at a Denny's for food, and I took a long hot shower at the apartment. We went the whole time without seeing a bear, which is probably a good thing. But I do believe one was in our campground on the third night. We woke up a few times in the middle of the night to really loud deliberate banging of pots and pans a couple of sites over. This is what you are supposed to do if you see a bear to try and scare it off. Speaking of bears, they have really strict rules to force you to keep food and anything scented in a bear locker. This was quite a change from camping I'm used to, as I've never camped around in bear country.


Bear Storage Locker


Next year maybe we'll plan to go back and hike Half Dome.


Leaving Yosemite


Current Mood : Lazy
Current Music : The Siren Six, The Voice With a Build In Promise