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Peter & Lucys world adventure
Leaving Vegas we had considered driving through the unbelievably hot Death Valley.... due to the very high temperatures we decided to drive around death valley instead of through it. It was about a 5hr drive from Vegas to the small town of Bishop which is east of Yosemite National Park. We didn't do much at Bishop, Lucy wasn't feeling too good either so we just chilled out watching Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
The next day we were up early and had a very poor breakfast at the super8 motel before our 1h30m drive to the east entrance to the national park. It cost us $20 to enter the park in our vehicle... and worth every dollar! For the first hour or so in the park we drove along the Tiogo Rd Pass which had some great views from numerous lookouts. The best was from Olmstead point which had a stunning views down the valley to the central focus of the park, Half Dome. Through a telescope here we could see climbers climbing the back of the impressive half dome.
Before reaching Yosemite valley we stopped just past a tunnel which had lovely views down the main valley. Once into the Yosemite valley we realised how busy the park was.... well busy!! Stuck in slow moving traffic as we made our way past the big granite face of El Capitan, we finally reached the parking area at curry village in the Yosemite Village. From here we would walk or catch the free shuttle buses for the rest of the day.
Before setting off we enjoyed a chicken caesar salad each we had earlier purchased from the supermarket. We were now ready for our first hike in the wonderful park. It was a 3 mile round trip, ending at Vernon falls which were quite impressive, the trails were very busy though which was slightly frustrating. Lots of bear warning signs throughout the park. We were keen to see some as our friends had previously seen one when they visited the park about a month before us.
We then got a shuttle bus through the stunning valley which has huge granite walls surrounding it. Getting off the bus near Yosemite falls, where we had a shortage walk to see the falls. Getting back on the bus we got informed there had been an accident so the traffic was at stand still, but fortunately the bus was allowed on roads only buses could go on, so we got back to our car.
It was slow moving as we headed in our chevy to the Bridalveil Falls. Finally we got there and once again it was another short walk to them, before we reached the falls we heard a massive bang sounding abit like lightening or big rocks falling and breaking.... it turned out it was some big rocks falling from near the top of the waterfall... fortunately nobody got hurt. Maybe it was the bears throwing the rocks!!
We then had a 26mile drive to Glacier point which is high above the Yosemite valley. From here and another view point we had stunning views of the national park with half dome a main focus of attention. As the sun was going down we decided to leave the area early to miss some traffic after sunset. We left the park and we had unfortunately not seen any bears :(
Peter then had the lovely task of a 2hr30m drive to the town of Merced located west of the national park. Arriving quite late it was a case of a cheeky McD's before bed, conveniently located right across the road from the motel.... did Peter know this when he booked??
Yosemite is a stunning national park but we would advise people not to visit on a saturday and in the height of the summer holidays!!!
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