Sierra National Forest

So I lied a little bit, we aren't in Yosemite just yet. We have been hanging out in Sierra National Forest for the past couple of days. It was tough to get reservations in Yosemite so we opted for just south of the park. We also had our first Griswold's vacation moment. After twelve hours in the car from the Grand Canyon to California, feeling a bit delusional, we got horribly lost. Not to mention it was 4th of July. I think we might have been a little ambitious about driving that far and then setting up a campsite. We arrived to Oakhurst, California in time to buy some supplies and then drive endlessly around Bass Lake trying to find our campground. At least three different people gave us three different set of directions. We watched the fireworks from our car in terribly moods and finally caved and got a hotel. I must say it wasn't all that bad for our first misadventure. We've only had a few blunders so far and most of them have involved packing and re-packing the car. A good nights rest and a warm shower later we were ready to find this mysterious campground. Eleven miles up in the mountains later, we finally arrived at Kelty Meadow Campground. Thank the gods we got that hotel. As we drove up and up into the mountains Katie remarked, "Well if there every was a place called the "Middle of Nowhere" this would be it". 

We situated ourselves between a beautiful meadow and creek with a pasture full of momma and baby cows. It is very rustic to say the least. No showers, only outhouses, and only a few other campers around us. It was good for us to be stationary for a couple of days and get some rest. We can have campfires here which was a relief since most of the other parks are in full restrictions from the drought. We have been cooking most of our meals over the open flame and I must say it makes everything so much more delicious! 

Our neighbors.

Breast is best!  

Our view of the Fresno Dome 

Yum!

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Our second day here we drove to town and found a sweet little cove on the lake to spend the day sunbathing and reading. It was the breather we both needed to take. I think I still felt a little bit like I was still living in the city hopping from one to place to the next with an agenda. No people to see or places to go here. I had forgotten how quiet the world can be and how beautiful. I grew up in the country, vacationed in the country, and went to college in the country. So it was no wonder that I needed to experience living in a city after all that. Austin was a perfect transition city for me. Not too big or overwhelming and just enough nature to sustain me. I did become a little bit of a city girl, I think, and it was really fun. Something I felt I needed to do. But being out here, I feel like everything is finally still and I can think again without interruptions. 

Katie and I hiked the Fresno Dome and it was amazing! 360 degree views of the entire Sierra Forest. It wasn't a long hike but we walked through a forest that looked as though it was taken right out of a Dr Seuss book. The trees are covered here with a moss that is crazy electric lime green, the pictures don't really do justice to it.  

My dome at the Fresno Dome

So we are staying one more night here and then we are leaving bright and early to get our butts to Yosemite and hopefully grab a first-come-first-serve campsite. Fingers crossed! We plan to stay a few days there and hopefully take a shower:) Until then!