Tom's National Park Adventure

Today was our last full day in Yosemite. We have been bound and determined to make the most of it……and I think we accomplished that!

We started the day with some breakfast and then broke out the bikes. Our plan was to ride to an area called Mirror Lake. It turns out that Mirror lake isn’t really a lake at all! It is a stream that seasonally holds more water and looks like a little lake. Back in the day, the concessioners used to harvest the ice that would form in the larger pool areas of the stream. They would use the ice to keep food from spoiling throughout the year. The park workers would also dredge out the sand in this area to be used to help with the roads during the winter. It would be spread on the icy areas for traction. This practice continued up until 1971!

After we left the Mirror Lake area we rode the bikes over to the Yosemite Village and checked out the Ansel Adams studio. It is a very cool place! I believe Mr. Primm picked up some souvenirs there. We learned a lot about the history of the valley and how the photographs taken there have lead to the popularity of the park.

From there we rode the bike paths all the way to get a closer look at the lower and upper Yosemite FAlls. The ride was very nice. It is so much nicer to be able to ride a bike around than to drive a car. Parking is so much easier and you can just stop and take a picture without getting run over!

We left the Falls and headed over to a large meadow area in the center of the valley. There we discovered that the original village had been torn down and moved to its existing location. All that remains is a very nice meadow and one remaining original building which was this Chapel.

We left the meadow and rode on until we came to what was called “The Swinging Bridge”. It was a nice bridge that took us across the Merced river. But it didn’t swing. Not even a little bit! I was really disappointed.

We crossed the bridge and headed back to the campground. Once there we put the bikes away and loaded into the car. We were headed to a place that we can see from our campsite. Glacier Point. Glacier point is way above the campsite in elevation. It sits at 7200 feet in elevation. The campsite is at around 4000 feet in elevation. So we only had to climb just a little over 3000 feet! Much easier done in a car. We drove for over an hour in order get to Glacier Point. The views from Glacier Point were astonishing! As good as the views have been for the last two days, todays view from Glacier Point put all the rest to shame in my humble opinion. Unfortunately I don’t think my photography skills do justice to what we experienced.

We reluctantly left Glacier Point after getting some lunch there. We drove for another hour and fifteen minutes. We were headed to the Mariposa Grove of Sequoia Trees.. Before we got there we stopped for some gas and went by the hotel where we planned to have dinner later. We made our reservation and then went in search of some giant trees. Boy howdy did we ever find them!

When we finished looking at the giant trees, we went back to the Wawona Hotel for dinner. The Wawona Hotel was built in 1875. She is an old Grand Dame. No AC in the main dining area, but high ceilings and strategically placed fans meant we were very comfortable. I had Salmon and Jeff had the Wagu beef.

We had an excellent meal to cap off an excellent day. Just a short 31 mile drive back to the campsite and its time to head to bed soon.

If you have never been to Yosemite National Park and have the ability to get here you should. This has to be one of the most beautiful places on this earth. You owe it to yourself to come and spend at least three days to check this place out!

Tomorrow is getting up, getting packed up, driving Jeff back to the Fresno airport and then I’m heading to Lassen Volcanic National Park. I’ll let you know how tomorrow goes……….