Off To Yosemite National Park

With the promise of deep valleys, sheer cliffs and the highest waterfall in America, Yosemite was our top pick destination to explore with our daughter, Missy, and family.  

We had about an hour drive to the south entrance, and we arrived there just after 9 am, trying to beat the huge crowds. Though the entire remainder of the day, it seemed that every tourist in California was at Yosemite, we entered with ease.

Very near the entrance was Mariposa Grove, the park's largest stand of giant sequoias, with about 500 trees.  Roger and I had been raving to the Smiths about the sequoia's wonderfulness; after seeing this grove, they concurred.

Our next stop was after a winding 45 minute drive to Glacier Point. What a commanding view of Yosemite Valley! The Half Dome is a Yosemite icon. It was regarded as "never to be trodden by human foot" in 1865.  Now there is a cable route to its top!

Glacier Point is an overlook with a commanding view of Yosemite Valley, Half Dome and the Yosemite's high country.

The awesome Smith Family

I was a little nervous getting up on this rock!

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm!

Have you ever seen a more perfect meditator?

What a great smile, Jared!

Looking down to Nevada Fall from Glacier Point. It has a 594 foot drop.

Vernal Fall drops 317 feet.  They both create what is known as the"Giant Staircase."

Nevada & Vernal Falls

We drove through a long tunnel.  We had Sam and Ellie in our car, and they were asleep.  When we stopped after we exited at Tunnel View Point, they wanted to drive back through so they could see it!

Pictures taken at Tunnel View Point

Hiking to view Bridalveil Fall

Bridalveil Fall is one of the most prominent waterfalls in Yosemite National Park.  It drops 617 feet and flows year round.  The water was low and the wind blew the water sideways to create a wispy look.  

Ellie was taking pics on her mom's iPhone everywhere we went.  She was loving it!  Not hard to see that she's following in her mother's footsteps!

By then we were starving!  We had packed a picnic lunch and we set out to find a spot to stop.  We drove and drove, not seeing even a pull-off-the-road place.  Finally, near Yosemite Lodge, we drove around and around in the parking lot, pulled into a coned-off section (we were desperate!) and spotted some flat ground.

At this point, we were just grateful for some shade!

Yosemite Fall is the highest measured waterfall in North America. It falls 2425 feet from the top to the upper falls to the base of the lower falls.

Unfortunately, it is mostly dry this time of year, so this is what we saw.

The boys were so tickled with their souvenirs, Yosemite pocket knives.

They could have one souvenir from either Yosemite or San Francisco, which is where they are also going to visit while living in Fresno.

Sam said, "There might be a better souvenir in San Francisco, but I highly doubt it!"  

Grandpa treated us all with an ice cream cone.

Ice cream and being in the mountains - what could be better!

After we arrived back in Fresno, we were ready for some dinner.

Travel Advisor recommended this little place for good Mexican food.  The shrimp and the ceviche were tasty!

Except for the crazy crowds, Yosemite did not disappoint!