So on Wed we headed out of the city and into Yosemite national park area! Journey on the Bug bus not too bad compared to some of the others we've had so far, we're becoming very seasoned travellers now that 4 hour trips are nothing to us!! Got to 'the Bug'  the mountain resort where we were staying full of cute little cabins and a dining area with animal heads on the wall etc! The night was still young though as we whisked straight away before even checking in to go for a river hike. Warned on the way down of snakes and black widow etc. didn't freak us out at all. Not to mention the poison oak, poison ivy..... Got a taster of the beautiful landscapes as this wasn't even in the park itself. Nice and flat walk though, we learned to appreciate flat by the next day! Walk only a couple of miles with lots of picture stops (we did have some very obsessive picture people and we thought we were bad!!). Stopped at the end to test the water, actually not too cold, could have gone for a swim if only we'd known. Back quite late so quick dinner before checking out our cabin called El Capitan named after a mountain in the park.

Next day was the biggie!!! Up early to eat before leaving at half 7 to drive to Yosemite itself. First stop was in a grove of tall pines which has the oldest sequioia tree in it called the grizzly giant. Approx 1700 years they reckon. Caught a glimpse of deer and coyote but no bears unfortunately though apparantly they are around at this time of year. Leisurely walk of about 3 miles to warm us up with gentle inclines comparitively.... Next we went to another area that had a huge dome shaped mountain in it. Climbed the last little bit of it that had no trail and was quite severe but a short distance luckily. View at the top was 360 degree all round of the park and it was definitely worth it. Got to see mega waterfalls far away, snow capped mountains, forests and some of the named peaks all the professionals attempt to climb (yeah why!?!) Had lunch up here which def made for the best scenic meal we've prob had so far, except we had to share our meal with the squirrels and chipmunks that were really bold and came right up to us to try and steal our food. Next stop was just a quick one to get a view of the bit they call the valley and take a few more pics. But it was soon on to our main hike of the day, only 4 miles i hear you say but my goodness you wanna see the incline we were climbing at!! The first bit was just a trail and fairly steep we were sweating in some very uncomfortable places but gorgeous views (when we dared stop looking at the floor as very rocky roads!)  and we were proud to say we could do it-just!! Then we got to this bridge and our guide warned us how hard the next bit was, but no we thought we could do it, not realising the waterfall in the background was where we were headed, right to the top!! Was just under 2 miles of very very steep stairs badly cut into the rock so really uneven and the closer we got the wetter they were from the spray so slippery too. Lungs burning, legs aching, def a struggle to drag ourselves to the top but by sheer determination, grit and courage we made it pretty near the front of the group, damn we're good!! View of the waterfall was so amazing it was def worth the pain, could go pretty close to the edge where it fell over the side and see right down into the valley to the bridge we'd climbed from, a tiny speck far away!! Then got shown this little pond just round the corner which was def a lot colder nearer to the mountain top, more death tales of people getting hypothermia very recently and drowning. A couple of logs went out over the water though so we did our dirty dancing routine to the bemused look of strangers around!! Stayed up top for a while to admire before the dangerous trek down, almost worse by just how steep the steps were and the lack of grip on Jennys trainers all I could hear were occasional squeals from behind me but it meant I knew she was still there!! Pretty knackered by the time we got back to the bus but well ecstatic we had done it as a couple had pulled out and missed out on it all. Unfortunately there was one more quick stop and everyones limbs def weren't moving fast to get out of the vehicle at that point. We did though and got to see the tiny specks that were climbers going up El Capitan. Back to cabin for much much needed showers and then food. Thought after our tough day wine was in order so had a couple of glasses in front of the campfire!! Very peaceful, such a change from all the cities we've been in so far. Some local guys introduced us to smores. These are marshmellows toasted on the fire then put between two crackers with some hersheys chocolate - we approved big time!!! No trouble sleeping at all that night!!! Ooh except from the weird man who appeared in our dorm, started talking in the middle of the night then walked outside in his boxers only to return shortly after, very bemused!!!

Final day in the park and we were no longer hiking but biking instead. so headed up a mountain..and kept going and going. truck finally stops and we realise just how far we've got to cycle down, and it's pretty steep. not a problem we think.... we get left on our own to find our way down this mahoosive mountain and didn't quite realise how hard work it is to keep yourself on the bike, hand on the brake to stop you falling to ur death and not stumble on the many bumpy stones!! oh so not our favourite part of the few days but def an accomplishment..we have the bruises to prove it!!! (on our hands of all places for holding on for dear life!!) so eventually got down and had to cycle for about a mile to the 'beach' which was a sandy cove by the river! was incredibly pretty and the water was much appreciated after baking in the sun for an hour. some of us (liz) were braver than others (jen) and decided to risk the freezing water in her bikini!! liz goes diving off rocks and swimming around like the little mermaid whilst jen with a lack of bikini has to sit in her friggin trousers boiling!!although was advised to go in my underwear...ummm no, although others did!!they were german tho so what u expect...her excuse being 'well we are in America!!'. OK!!! so basked around for a good 2 hours...trust me liz has the burns to prove it!! turns out the other bus had broken down so we had to wait before getting back to camp. eventually did, had a quick lunch then set off back to San Fran.

so was an amazing two days and could def with another couple more, although if we had it liz's way we would be moving there tomorrow..the guide seemed quite keen on this idea...and liz!!she broke his heart bless him!!!! so leaving San Fran tomorrow...being sat and off to the south...woop!! missing you guys of course. put some more comments up and check out our new pics, which are a slightly odd selection as they're not very clear on the 'puter!!!! xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx