The Grandeur of Yosemite

We set off for a two day adventure to Yosemite, the first big trip for Lilly Ray to celebrate her two week birthday and Fathers Day.

Bruce and I had our coffee on the deck and took a little stroll around the neighborhood while Kami and Eric packed up Lilly’s stuff. I forgot how much stuff is required when taking newborns’ places. And we can’t forget the diapers!

The giant pine trees are doing their thing right now and yellow pine pollen is everywhere. If you live in South Carolina, you know the stuff I’m talking about. These enormous trees drop the largest pine cones I’ve ever seen. In fact so large, you want to be careful where you park your car.

After Lilly and company were all gathered up, we began our adventure to Yosemite. Our trip took us around Lake Tahoe again where we stopped for a quick photo op.

Our first real stop was in Walker, California. Lilly was hungry and so were we. We stopped first at an antique shop that had some metal artwork in the parking area. Very cool!

Then on to Walker Burgers, a hamburger stand that had garden dining in the back. Good food and charming atmosphere. A great find.

Our bellies full, we headed on. It was a long trip. Over five hours. We stopped at Mono Lake. The aqua water was surreal. It appeared as an apparition in the distance.

Although the temperature was getting close to 90, we could see snow covered mountains all around.

We drove through Yosemite on our way to our Airbnb in Mariposa. The park was amazing.

It was a 38 mile – one hour drive to the house from the park but it was a lovely place with a wooded yard.

After unpacking we headed into Mariposa for dinner and a little food shopping. We ate at a tasty little restaurant, Savory.

Sunday we spent the day exploring Yosemite. What a glorious place. Upon entering the park, boulders formed a small tunnel in a natural formation.

Between the enormous granite boulders and the giant cedars, the majestic park takes your breath away.

We took Lilly Ray on her first hike up a mountain. I have to say I couldn’t make it all the way. But Kami, Eric and Lilly Ray went up to the Vernal Falls foot bridge.

It was an amazing view from where I stopped my hike.

After all the hiking, we had a delicious dinner at the Yosemite Lodge. Lilly Ray was a perfect angel.

Last night we had a crescent moon over the park.

Today we headed back to Truckee with another drive through Yosemite. We stopped at a little roadside restaurant for breakfast sandwiches before we ventured forward.

Our goal was to do one short trail to a Falls today so we went to Bridalveil Falls. We thought the park would be less crowded but the summer brings people from all over the world.