Yosemite

Haven't blogged in a while....just haven't found the time nor the energy. But Pam and I just returned from our summer vacation trip (actually our 10 year anniversary trip as well) to Yosemite and San Francisco and what better time to start "re-blogging" I'll start with the Yosemite part and post another for S.F.

Day 1: Our friends Nate and Sam from Portland, OR rented a car and met us at the airport after a very uneventful flight from Atlanta, GA. The car ride from S.F. to Yosemite was spent catching up with them since it had been 4 years since we had seen each other. We got into Yosemite fairly late after stopping a ton on the drive and taking our sweet time. We were staying in "Curry Village" in a tent-cabin (see picture). We checked in, watched the pretty cool video on Bear activity and crashed pretty early.

Food: Lunch at a Mexican restaurant on the road, Dinner was pizza at the Village.

Day 2: We woke up pretty early on Day 2 and planned a major hiking excursion to some Falls with a 2000 feet elevation gain from the valley. The four of us started about 9:45am up the trail to Vernal Falls (see pic 1). The trail to the falls viewpoint is paved all the way and was packed with people so we then took the arduous steps to the top of the falls. The views were awesome and we caught a sweet rainbow (see pic 2) at the base of the falls. This also cleared out a ton of people although there were still a good number. We continued up to the Nevada Falls and the junction with the trail to the top of Half Dome. This is where Nate and Jim courageously chose to continue their hike to the top of Half Dome (see pic 3) because it sounded pretty darn cool. Bear in mind that we had already hiked 4 miles or so pretty much vertical and the hike to Half Dome tacked on an extra 8 miles. Add on the 4 miles back and Nate and Jim are looking at a 16 mile hiking day!! No problem!! The ladies smartly decide to head back and relax. With strained muscles the boys plodded on and made it to the base of the Half Dome ascent only to notice a major storm heading their way. On the back saddle of the rock they spot a large bolt of lightning not too far away in the distance and decide to get back to the safety of the trees. On the 8 miles back Jim manages to tear up his feet hiking in his Chacos and also pull something in his left knee. But we finally made it back to the relieved ladies and some much deserved dinner.

Food: Breakfast buffet in the Village, Lunch is PB & J's and snacks on the trail, Dinner is ....pizza yet again! and some Beers.

Day 3: Everyone is pretty pooped the next day other than Nate who is a machine so we decide to take it easy and drive to most of the sites. We check out Yosemite Falls, the Mariposa Grove of huge friggin Sequoias and finally Glacier Point (see pic) and magnificent views of the valley. We also caught another afternoon storm (apparently common in the valley during the summer!) and took shelter under a gazebo with cliff-side views. We then drove back, had a awesome "splurge-dinner" and hung out a bit and chatted....Nice relaxing day in the park.

Food: Breakfast was bagels, muffins and coffee, of course, Lunch was more PB&Js and snacks on the road, Dinner was fine-dining at the Yosemite Lodge!!

Day 4: We had to pack and head out quickly to S.F. so another 1/2 day of driving. We caught Breakfast at a roadside place called Buck Forest Cafe(?) or something of the nature.

I'll check in with S.F. stuff tomorrow...enjoy the pics!!

Jim