Welcome to Cindy and David's 2014 Adventures
Yosemite National Park
We could barely believe we were actually in Yosemite National Park. What a stunning and memorable visit. The enormity of the Sequoia trees is difficult to show (as you can see from the rather odd stitching of the photos!) I have to boast that I took the one directly above and darned proud of it I am too!
The first day after arrival was spent on the trail just marvelling at the size and beauty of these trees. The trails are well marked and easy walking (except for the hills!) but there's not much that can be done about that.
Below is the foyer of the hotel which is just a magnificent place. Huge facilities, lots of restaurants and pools, indoor and outdoor so we did not have to go looking for places to eat, they were right there.
Below is the foyer of the hotel which is just a magnificent place. Huge facilities, lots of restaurants and pools, indoor and outdoor so we did not have to go looking for places to eat, they were right there.
We spent a full day out in the Park exploring. We did a lovely walk by a river (dry) to view the famous Mirror Lake. However, as with the rest of California, there has been no rain for some considerable time and there is a serious drought situation. Not one waterfall anywhere in the Park. Very sad. However, the mountains and magnificent forests are still there and beautiful as ever, as you can see below.
The day we left, David and I ventured into the hotel's indoor pool and enjoyed a very hot spa as well. The locker rooms were huge and well stocked with towels and all things smelly for the ladies and we could have continued with all this spoiling with a sauna. However, as always time is of the essence.
The day we left, David and I ventured into the hotel's indoor pool and enjoyed a very hot spa as well. The locker rooms were huge and well stocked with towels and all things smelly for the ladies and we could have continued with all this spoiling with a sauna. However, as always time is of the essence.
This is on a warning poster NOT to leave any food of any kind in your car as the bears just rip of doors to get at it.
Our walk was somewhat marred by a line of horses trekking towards us. There were 21 of them and they had just come back from the walk on which we were setting out and 21 horses had left their somewhat hefty and smelly dung all the way along the path. To make matters worse they informed us they had just seen a mother bear with her baby but it was doubtful if we would get to see them as they were long gone.
We only had time to see one part of the Park. Of course there is a huge portion yet to be seen. Another time perhaps.
Our walk was somewhat marred by a line of horses trekking towards us. There were 21 of them and they had just come back from the walk on which we were setting out and 21 horses had left their somewhat hefty and smelly dung all the way along the path. To make matters worse they informed us they had just seen a mother bear with her baby but it was doubtful if we would get to see them as they were long gone.
We only had time to see one part of the Park. Of course there is a huge portion yet to be seen. Another time perhaps.
We spent some time looking around the Ahwahnee hotel right inside the Park. It is obviously a very historic and beautifully preserved building and it seems they have their own live-in lawn mowing group. (3 pictures above and one to the left).
The Park is well organised. There is a free shuttle bus service which goes to all stops in the Yosemite Valley to help you on your way or deliver you back to your car after a long walk.
There are large camping areas and of course sites for lots of RV's! Not to mention a large camp set up with on-site tents complete with wooden flooring.
However, although the days were very warm, the nights were quite chilly. Hotel time......
The Park is well organised. There is a free shuttle bus service which goes to all stops in the Yosemite Valley to help you on your way or deliver you back to your car after a long walk.
There are large camping areas and of course sites for lots of RV's! Not to mention a large camp set up with on-site tents complete with wooden flooring.
However, although the days were very warm, the nights were quite chilly. Hotel time......
El Capitan is the whitish mountain on the left, Cathedral Spires on the right
El Capitan is the whitish mountain on the left, Cathedral Spires on the right
El Capitan again and North Dome