Yosemite Park

     We were excited to be able to visit Yosemite Park for the first time. I have seen many pictures of Half Dome and had hear of the park, so was looking forward to seeing it with my own eyes. It did not disappoint! It took us about an hour and a half driving from Park of the Sierras where we are staying. Curvy road. Very. Curvy. Road. 

     After the first half hour, I recommended we stop and switch drivers knowing that my enjoyment would be severely curtailed if I didn't drive. We stopped at the Sugar Pine Railroad. We didn't ride the RR, just looked around and took pictures. It was very picturesque and a refreshing stop.

     After another 45 minutes or so of driving, we came through a tunnel to a view point with lots of parking where we got our first glimpses of The Big Three of Yosemite Park; El Capitan on the left, Half Dome just over Jerry's head, and Bridal Veil Falls on the right. It was a spectacular view where you could see the whole valley spread out below.

First view of El Capitan, Half Dome, and Bridal Veil Falls

When you are standing under Bridal Veil Falls, it's easy to see why it's named that as the wind blows the water and it cascades down like a veil. There were many people on the Thursday, making us glad we were not here at the height of tourist season!

Me in front of Bridal Veil Falls. I am told it is less spectacular than usual from low water volume.

Jerry in front of El Capitan (check out the bird in flight).

Remember the Star Trek V movie with Kirk climbing El Capitan?  It's hard to visit there without remembering how Spock saved Kirk's bacon with his jet-boots!  It is 3,000 feet high and was successfully climbed for the first time in the 1950's.

The view below of Half Dome is one I remember well from a picture my Grandmother painted. It was an awesome thing to be standing there seeing it from that same vantage point, causing me to wonder about that picture and my Grandmother's trip there.

Half Dome from Yosemite Village.

After leaving the Yosemite Valley behind and heading back, we stopped at Mariposa Grove of the Giant Sequoias. We did a bit of hiking to see the trees and it was well worth it. Even though you know they are big, it is still awe inspiring to look up, and up, and up! Grizzly Giant, although not especially tall, has the most massive branches larger than the trunk of other trees.

Grizzly Giant Sequoia, whose lower limbs are 7 feet in diameter!

The Surviving Tunnel Tree, the opening is wider than his arm span.

Both of us in the tunnel of this huge Sequoia.

Getting a picture of us here is sort of touristy, but a fun way to prove we were there!