YOSEMITE!!!

Yosemite, Day 1 (MondayApril 4)

7am: Off to my beloved Yosemite!  California is so green and beautiful. I’m here in short time, four and one half hours… but time flew because the scenery was so lush and green. My GPS had me come through the southern route, through Wawona and the Tunnel View…. The snow capped mountains and granite monoliths were fantastic.

Funny memory:

Then: 1955, in our huge black Pontiac, on our way home after 14 days camping in Yosemite Valley’s Camp 7, mom said to us all “This vacation cost us almost $100!” We felt so rich!

Now: I put $98 just to fill the gas tank to get there! (The good news, financially speaking, is with my Senior Pass I get into the park for free, and campsites are only $10 per night.  It pays to get old!)

Then: No need to pack a box of electronics for MacBook, Digital Camera, Droid.

Today: Didn’t pack my ironing board!
This is Yosemite Falls running very full, on the day I arrived.

Here is Yosemite Falls today, Saturday.... note the Frazzle Ice on the sides, it piles up at the base of the falls then begins to flow down the river.

Yosemeite, Day 2 (Tuesday April 5)

There’s snow on the ground, melting fast. The weather feels comfortable, like about 60. Art class was wonderful. I finish the day sitting meadow side, watching the snow melt and run down a little stream past my chair. Across the Valley I see Yosemite Falls on the far left, straight across are three springtime only waterfalls.  I missed seeing Yosemite in the winter, but I’ve never seen the falls so full! Walked up to the base of lower Yosemite Falls… so much water! The mist is everywhere. Soooo beautiful!

Art class was great… mostly kids! But the instructor, Steve Coral, was great. Here’s what I did.

Yosemite, Day 3  (Wednesday April 6)

Another wonderful art class, mostly kids again. But the instructor is patient with them, and gives me extra attention on the painting I did yesterday. This afternoon, the weather is beautiful, almost warm, even in the shade. I walk in (can’t really call it hiking, darn it) to the base of Bridal Veil Falls. Breathtaking! I watched a photographer take photos with an antique box camera. He is a “student of a student” of Ansel Adams.

Art class was great again today too. Again, mostly families and children. But the instructor is very good with all levels.

Yosemite, Day 4 (Thursday, April 7)

Got to see Yosemite in the winter after all! We were blanketed with 4-6 inches of snow! Can’t even see Half Dome, Glacier Point, or any of the falls, the snow is coming down so heavy. Cold, but lovely. Cold! Then, the heavy, snow laden branches began to bend, engulfing what ever, camper, tent, or people, beneath with a blanket of snow. Still, beautiful. Still cold!

Gonna do my own thing today… just reading! Love it!

Day 5, Friday, April 8^th

I’m so snowed in! Couldn’t even get my driver-side door open, frozen shut. Driving in the snow, 4-6 inches.  I like what I did today in class!

Day 6^th, New campsite, right on the river. Watching Frazzle Ice right from my camper. It is sooo cold. I ran out of my third canister of propane. Today is the last day of Art class. All adults this time! Met some wonderful people. Here’s what I painted today. It’s not complete yet, needs more blue in the far granite wall and more sunlight on the left side of the trees.

One more day left. I hope the sun comes out. I’m glad I got to see Yosemite in the snow… but I’ve done that now. Where is the warm spring weather?
Here's my little home.....

 Here's the view from my campsite. You can see the Frazzle Ice floating down the Merced River.