Yosemite

Our 3 hour drive in Rhonda (our beloved RV) to Yosemite was a bit longer due to traffic (which is interesting since we haven’t seen traffic at home in a LONG time). Checked into our RV Park (Yosemite Lakes) and went over to Yosemite for a quick run through the park.  Got to see Bridalveil Falls, El Capitan and Half Dome from the valley floor.  

Was getting late so we headed back to the park so we could hookup and have dinner (ravioli, turkey meatballs and salad) before it was completely dark! 

Tuesday, June 30^th

Had to wake up early (although it wasn’t hard for Merrie ) so we could get into the park and get a good parking spot at the Porcupine Creek Trailhead off of Tioga Road.  Ended up pulling out of the RV park at 6:40 and made it to the trailhead by 7:40. Had breakfast in the RV at the trailhead and hit the trail about 8am.  We hiked all the way up to North Dome.  What an amazing hike!  Had pretty views along the way, we saw a good bit of wildlife (including 7 deer before we saw another human), and then the ultimate view was at the end of the trail with our 360 view of the park (including a fabulous view of the front face of Half Dome). Hike ended up being about 10 miles and took us a little over 5 hours – we could have been quicker, but couldn’t pass up the numerous views.  Girls were troopers – especially Kacie who had blisters on the balls of her feet from wearing Chacos all around San Francisco the previous few days. 

Had lunch on the RV and then hit an unnamed lake/pond not far from the Porcupine Creek Trailhead to wash our feet from the dust on the trail.  Kacie caught a tadpole and both Owen and Kacie got most of the way in. The unnamed pond is now dubbed “Tadpole Pond”.  

We headed back to our RV park after stopping at a small waterfall and had some good downtime before making hobos for dinner and smores for dessert!

Wednesday, July 1, 2020

After having a slight mishap emptying the black water tank, and a bad mood to go with it, we left the RV park for Yosemite around 8:45. On the advice of our friend, Fara, we started using the Gypsy Guide app for Yosemite.  This app was great – it uses GPS to figure out exactly where you are driving and the tour guide tells you everything you are seeing, recommended hikes and how hard and long they are, and other fun facts.  Felt like we were on our own private tour bus!

We stopped on the valley floor and did a super short hike to Bridal Veil Falls.  The end of the trail was closed due to construction, but we did get a good view of the falls, and Owen and Kacie got to climb on a log to get a good photo.  From there, Presley made her gourmet oatmeal in Rhonda while Merrie put in some work and Owen explored the river. 

Presley was insistent that we take a hike of some distance, so we planned to hit the Mist Trail to Vernal Falls.  Upon arrival at the trailhead the map outlined the new route which involved a one way trail and a couple more miles of uphill, strenuous hiking.  We decided to hike to the Vernal Falls overlook, which ended right before the trail became one way.  The hike there was uphill and very strenuous so we’re glad we turned around where we did.  The view was well worth it, although that was the most traveled trail that we went on. 

We went for a cruise around the valley looking for a good lunch spot near the river.  We found a spot with river access right near El Capitan and made lunch before hitting the water.  Everyone dipped at least their feet in.  Kacie and Owen braved the elements and went all the way in (Kacie with a loving “shove” from Owen).  It was chilly yet refreshing.  Great views of the cliffs surrounding the valley from the river.  

Before heading back to Yosemite Lakes, we stopped at Tuolumne Grove on the advice of Gypsy to check out the massive Sequoia trees that are another highlight at Yosemite.  It was an easy, downhill hike to get to the Sequoias.  There we found several Sequoias with a couple that you could experience firsthand – walking through one (originally designed for wagons to drive through) and another that was downed that was large enough that HB and Kacie were able to walk/crawl through.  

The hike back to the trailhead was a little more daunting, but not as uphill as the Vernal Falls hike had been so the girls knocked it out impressively while Merrie and Owen lagged behind and plotted dinners for the rest of the trip.  We ended up back at Yosemite Lakes with eyes on steak and salad for dinner followed by s’mores for dessert.  The RV park had an issue with the water line right when Merrie was showering (of course) so she had to rinse soap off with cold water from gallon jugs.  Luckily the issue was resolved before Pres and HB showered.  

Thursday, July 2

On the way to Lake Tahoe, we took the scenic route through Yosemite on Tioga Road. Tioga Road is the highest drivable pass in California.  We saw Half Dome from the other side of the park, Tenaya Lake, and Tuolumne Meadows.