So, we're in Yosemite National Park and the sun is shining, we've breakfasted, the journey now forgotten. Let's get on with our holiday. Stepping outside we could smell the wonderful scent of the pine trees mmmm...
We took a slow drive to Yosemite Valley, where it all happens - tours, trails, cafés, museums etc., the scenery is breathtaking, it's just wow, awesome. We'd seen pictures of the central area but it is just so big In real life. We stopped by the Bridal Falls Trail and walked up to the viewpoint. There wasn't very much water but the sun shine though the top of the falls, very pretty.
On to the Village where we grabbed some lunch and sat outside in the warm sunshine watching the antics of the blue jays. We wandered on through the village, viewing the museum, the replica Indian village and the National Park info centre where we learned of the free shuttle bus. So, onto the next bus to go and look at the Yosemite Falls; sadly it had been so dry there was no water! Did see some deer.
We caught the next shuttle to go further down the valley to a point just opposite El Capitan. The sheer walls are just amazing, and we could pick out groups of climbers edging their way upwards, like tiny ants, way up high (El Capitan soars some 3,800 feet from the valley floor). A climbing club had erected a telescope so tourists could watch the climbers on the wall. The bus driver told us the record for climbing the wall was 2 hours 35 minutes - it takes most climbers four or five days! We wandered through the forest and along by the river, just taking in the atmosphere and enjoying the scent of the forest.
Back on the bus to take us to the car park. Spotted a coyote in the forest and a buck just standing there, watching the coyote. A slow drive back to the condo, taking in the wonderful views in the late afternoon sunshine, before collapsing onto the sofa with a large mug of tea.
Fired up the barbecue, opened the red wine and that was us for the day and what a beautiful day it was.
