Spent the night in Yosemite Valley last weekend with Yum. It was very cold! At night it got below freezing, and in the morning everything was frosty and frozen. We stayed in one of those little tent cabins (frames made of 2×4 and draped with canvas). Luckily we had a heater, which ran all night. Yum slept like a log.
My trips to Yosemite Valley are a bit bittersweet. I love going, but can’t help but feel a little sad as I think of my mom and her favorite place on Earth.
Yum and I spent three glorious days in Yosemite Valley this week. We drove up on Monday morning and stayed a couple of nights at the Yosemite Lodge, near the base of Yosemite Falls. Winter in Yosemite is the best time to visit–no crowds!
The hotel is nothing special–it’s definitely not the Ahwahnee! But the bed was comfortable, the room was clean, and it was quiet. We had a huge window next to the bed where we could look out at all the snow and admire the pine trees and sheer granite walls.
On the first night we dunked (coffee and pie) at the food court, had drinks at the Mountain Room bar, and a great dinner at the Mountain Room proper.
On day two the weather cleared up a bit, but it was still cloudy and it rained at times. We spent the entire day taking pictures as I hit all the highlights–Swinging Bridge, Curry Village, Stables, Visitor Center, Museum, etc.
On our last day the weather was gorgeous. Clear blue skies and warm(er) temperatures. Too bad we had to come home =(
Last Wednesday Yum and I drove up to Wawona campground in the southern part of Yosemite to meet my dad.
After setting up our tent to drove up to Glacier Point for some spectacular pics.
We camped out Wednesday night next to the river, and I fell asleep listening to the roar of the rapids near our tent.
The next day Yum and I drove down to the valley and snapped some more photos. We had coffee at Curry Village and grabbed some sandwiches at Degnan’s Deli in Yosemite Village. The valley was sooo crowded! The waterfalls were awesome.
Look at all that water under Swinging Bridge.
We left for the high country, driving up Tioga Pass road. More pics.
It began to snow. I started to get a little worried, since we were driving the Yaris and didn’t have 4 wheel drive or chains. We cut our trip short and decided to get out of the mountains before we got stuck.
Out the eastern exit of the park and down to highway 395. Yum persuaded me to drive south a bit to the June Lake Loop, since I’ve never been there.
I was impressed. I didn’t expect to find places like that in the eastern Sierras. Lots of snow and pine trees and water and creeks and lakes. Very nice.
I napped while Yum drove us to Minden.
Then we took highway 50 home.
Lots of new red ink for our map of California. Some pics here!
