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Day 289 – Yosemite and Beyond (Part 5)
Day 289 of a Year Long Road Trip Along America’s Scenic Byways
Well, I survived the forest fires, fear of active bears, and camping roadside last night, though VANilla reeks of smoke and dead animal smell. Whew, I hope it goes away soon. I returned to Yosemite for one final visit. First I swung through the valley to take advantage of the only shower facilities in the enormous park.
I couldn’t believe how low the Merced River was flowing. In May, it was swelling out of its banks. Today, sandbars were poking up in the middle of the river. Many of the waterfalls appear to be seasonal as well, as I didn’t notice some of them today. For a waterfall lover, the best time to visit Yosemite would be as soon as all the roads open. I believe this is generally in May, though this year due to the heavy winter, I believe it was later.
ON THE ROAD AGAIN!
Day 161 – Yosemite and Beyond – Part 2
Day 161 of Year Long Road Trip Along America’s Scenic Byways
Yosemite Valley has so much to offer. It is definitely the place that all visitors should stay when visiting the park. May I also suggest that tourists visit the park with their bike in tow during the week and during off peak times if possible, or at least not during the summer. I can’t imagine what the mobs of people or traffic would be like on a summer weekend. This weekend the weather was beautiful, but due to the heavy snow, many of the campgrounds were still closed, and the park was packed. I’m so glad I began my day early.
I was on the trail by 8:30. Given it takes an hour to get to the valley from the Wawona Campground, I felt like I got a good jump on the day. On our way to the trailhead, we made a short stop at Tunnel View which provides a panoramic picture of the valley including three of its famous landmarks: El Capitan, Half Dome, and Bridalveil Fall. After admiring the view, I drove VANilla a few more miles into the valley, parked beneath some tall trees, pulled the shades, and left Petey to fend for himself for a few hours while I took a four mile roundtrip hike to the top of Vernal Fall.
ON THE ROAD AGAIN!
Day 160 – Yosemite and Beyond
Day 160 of Year Long Road Trip Along America’s Scenic Byways
I awoke at 6am, just before the ten teenage girls’ shrill laughs started back up this morning! I planned for an early rise, so I could get to a few of the hot spots before the crowds. Also, I knew at times I was going to have to leave Petey in VANilla, so I wanted to make sure it was cool for him.
After loading up VANilla and boiling some water for coffee and oatmeal, we made our way toward the valley around 7 am. I didn’t plan to be in the northwest corner of the park again, so I stopped off at the other end of Tuolumne Grove Road as we didn’t complete the eight mile roundtrip last night.
ON THE ROAD AGAIN!
Day 159 – Travel Day
Day 159 of Year Long Road Trip Along America’s Scenic Byways
Last night, while I said I camped at the Turtle Bay Park, to be more specific, I camped in the Convention Center parking lot which shares the same main entry and exit point. Wal-Mart and K-mart did not allow overnight parking, so when I noticed three tractor trailers and two campers in the lot across from the Turtle Bay Park parking area, I figured it was a safe place for some shut eye.
The Circus Is In Town
I awoke this morning to a bunch of racket. I pulled my shade up to see what all the commotion was and literally the circus had come to town. Tractor trailers and campers filled the parking lot as workers were hammering down stakes to set up some of their tents behind the convention center. While it probably would have been interesting to talk with some of the folks, my first instinct was to get the heck out of there.
ON THE ROAD AGAIN!
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