Yosemite

              We arrived at our campground safe and sound on Saturday night. Then on Sunday morning we all got up at 6 and then drove for 2 hours to get to church. We arrived like an hour early so we walked to the visitor center but it was closed and church was starting soon so we had to run/walk really fast to get there in time. The church was on Yosemite property, the oldest building there, 135 years old and it was still giving services! After a lovely service we went to hike Vernal and Nevada Falls. The hike was very beautiful, but nerve racking because the stairs were so steep and slippery. There was no way we would be able to get down those stairs again with all the people and someone overheard us, they informed us of an easier way to get down. And we made it all the way down safely, after that hike we went home and had yummy spaghetti. The funny thing that we saw that day was a huge group of Valley people surrounding a deer taking pictures of it and 2 rangers with paint guns.

               Monday morning we headed out at 8 and the first thing we did was drive forever to get to the other side of the park and Tuolumne Meadows. We stopped on the way to watch people climb up half dome, which is literally a straight incline up a rock with 2 wires to hold on to. Then we hiked to see the Soda Springs which is where water bubbles up from the ground and they have no idea how it occurs. We also saw a hawk trying unsuccessfully to catch ground squirrels. It was hopping around trying to catch the squirrels which had surrounded it. The next hike we did was to Lembert Dome (The view was literally 360 degrees!) and Dog Lake (which was the clearest lake we have ever seen). The last hike of the day that we did was to Gaylorl Lake. The sun was setting as we walked back and all the animals came alive, we saw Pika (very rare), ground squirrels, and Yellow bellied Marmots. That night we ate at a gas station, at Whoa Nellie Deli in Tioga gas Mart, rated in the top 100 restaurants in the U.S. The food was delicious and filling; it made Dad ready for the long ride home.

               The next day we biked for a change, 13 miles around the park. We saw the upper and lower Yosemite falls, El Capitan, and Mirror Lake. El Capitan is a popular climbing spot in the park and we were able to view climbers high up on the 3000’ cliff face using scopes set up by the park rangers. The views from the valley were beautiful and we enjoyed the day. Then back to the campground to catch up on laundry and I gave Dad another haircut. (earlier I also gave Garrett a haircut)

               Yesterday we packed up and headed to Mountain View which is just South of San Francisco to visit one of my Dad’s college friends, Skye, and her family. On the way we made our first stop at a fruit stand for a yummy lunch. After 4 weeks without a pool Mr. McQuiddy was kind enough to take me to a local pool and I swam 4400 yards! I was thrilled to get back in the water. We had a great dinner and last night we slept in BEDS that were on wheels. Wow!