Yosemite National Park

Katie and I arrived early in the morning to Yosemite and got ourselves a sweet little campsite at Bridalveil Creek Campground. We couldn't be happier about it! We set up camp quickly and decided to head down into Yosemite Valley for a swim in the river Merced. Swimming in the cold river surrounded by steep cliffs and mountains was a perfect introduction to the park. After swimming we both begrudgingly decided that a real shower and laundry was in order. We soon found that at five dollars a shower we wouldn't be doing many of those in the park. All sparkly clean we headed back up the mountain to our camp and listened to a ranger give a short talk on the Yosemite black bears that roam the valley. Interestingly, these bears are far smarter than us in that they can open just about anything containing food, including your car. Each campsite contains a bear box that is essentially bear proof and any and all food and toiletry products must be in the box at all times or you'll be issued a fine. The bears are a big draw to the park. Alas, as much as Katie and I looked and looked were not fortunate to have seen any of them. Signs about bear safety are littered throughout the park. "Save a bear, lock your food", "Speeding kills bears", and "Save a bear, don't feed the wildlife" are just about everywhere. It concerns me just slightly that people are feeding the bears…….!

Our second day in the park, after a noisy night in the campground, we arose and drove to the Mariposa Grove of giant sequoias. Were Sierra was quiet and peaceful, Yosemite is a swift kick in the pants to get up, get out, and get exploring! Crowds of people flock to the park every summer to see the magnificent trees, mountains, and lakes that make the park a beautiful place. I think we heard as many languages as we saw trees. It was clear as we began to explore that many people were not equipped to enjoy a national park as we were. We had a few chuckles over a select number of tourists glad in designer clothes and ill-fitting shoes complaining loading in German, Japanese, or French to their families about god knows what. Most likely the heat.

After taking a very sticky shuttle bus ride to the sequoias we finally got to see the big ones! I was most looking forward to seeing these ancient giants after missing Sequoia National Forest. Needless to say, they are HUGE. Katie and I both got a sense of what life is like for ant. These trees range in hundreds to thousands of years old. One fact we read was that some of them had taken route around the time the Cleopatra ruled Egypt. Think about that. The biggest sequoia was aptly named The Grizzly Giant, just a youngin' at 2,000 years old. To be considered a giant one had to be at least 400 years old and minimum circumference of 40ft.

Katie at the Grizzly Giant

Where's Emily?!

There is also the tunnel tree where you can walk through the base of the trunk. 

That took up much of our day and we spent the rest of the day walking through all the shops, stores, and galleries on display trying to stay cool in the brutal heat. We read about the many famous naturalists and photographers that took up residence here and helped shape our national park system including one Ansel Adams. Yosemite was founded by Galen Clark during the Civil War by the Yosemite Land Grant per Abraham Lincoln making it the first national park in the world. Years later a young naturalist named John Muir would take up residence and build his career by expanding the park lines to encompass more land and making the park what it is today. Some say that Americas greatest idea was to create a national park system and preserve some of the beauty that naturally lies within our borders.

Katie's psyched to be here! :) 

Our last day in the park we decided to do what one can only do when it's so damn hot, float a river. We did stop off in the morning to see Glacier Point which provided a panoramic view of the Half Dome, the Sentinel Dome, Upper Yosemite Falls, Bridelveil falls, and the other various mountains spanning the park.

Rafting the river was the best idea we had yet! Slow and lazy with frequent stops to swim and people watch we quite enjoyed ourselves. So many people have no idea how to paddle. Katie and I had the best time watching them all spin in circles arguing and laughing as they crashed into trees and rocks. It's only a three mile float but highly recommended.

Wouldn't it be great to have a wedding here!

Upper and lower Yosemite falls

While we both agree that Yosemite was a must-see part of the country, we weren't sad to say goodbye. I would recommend going in the fall or spring to avoid the heat and crowds of people. Exhausted from our three days there we drove across California and hopped on the Pacific Coast Highway and put our feet in the Pacific Ocean for the first time! It was a little cold and a wee bit foggy, but we were still excited. We spent the night in San Simeon State Park right next to the beach. Sitting in a coffee shop in Cambria, California watching the coming and goings on the street, Katie and I are a bit in awe that we've made it all the way across the country! More adventures to come.

A little grubby but happy feet! 

Our first glimpse of the Pacific!

Happiness:)