Welcome to California- Sierras & Yosemite

We left Idaho early Monday morning the 6th, and arrived in California that evening –greeted by the stunning Sierra Nevada Mountains, which run down much of the eastern border of California. Neither of us had visited the Sierra retreat of Lake Tahoe and enjoyed our short time there immensely. Driving along the windy western shore, the giant sparkling lake sat to our left, while ski lifts, hills and forest rose to our right. Inviting restaurants and cafes speckled the coastline along with gorgeous lodge homes. After only a few minutes of driving along the wooded, built shoreline, we were drawn to the alpine getaway and made an “unscheduled” overnight stay.

The next day we reached Yosemite in a few hours, driving along the east side of the mountain range. Yosemite’s granite rock faces, especially the climbing meccas: Half Dome & El Capitan dominate most photos and postcards from the park. Outside the dramatic Yosemite Valley (where some rock faces rise nearly a mile above the valley) we visited High Mountain passes, meadows, cold mountain lakes, and waterfalls. Hiking among the ancient Giant Sequoia trees, in the Southern part of the park, was a highlight as well. In fact, it was these magnificent ancient trees (many 3000 years old) and the infamous rock faces in Yosemite Valley that convinced Lincoln to sign the Yosemite Grant in 1864, paving the way for it to become a National Park. It’s upon visiting the park though that you realize there is so much more to be seen than just what’s most popularly photographed. Yosemite is roughly the size of Rhode Island, with only a handful of roads within, it would take much more time and many more hikes to really "see" Yosemite.

Lake Tahoe

Emerald Bay in Lake Tahoe.

The Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias. Look close enough and you can see Dion standing by the "Clothespin" Tree. His miniature size helps give a frame of reference and show how tall these nearly 3000 year old trees stand!
Christy hiking with El Capitan in the background
Sun setting over Half Dome

Vernan Falls, which we hiked by on our way up to Nevada Falls. This was a favorite hike for the both of us. Literally climbing into the mountains 2000 ft, step by step (Christy was grateful for her 5th flook apt walkup training in NYC) provided gorgeous and rewarding views! A real live black bear... right by our parking lot! Given the thousands of tourists (and their food) that pass through Yosemite every day, they are running rampant this season! Nearly every night bears walk through the campsites (one walked around our tent our last night!) and cars broken into, when food is left inside!