It is Springtime, the season when we can shed a few pounds leading to summer, the season to clean your closets and donate your shoes and clothes that you have not worn in six months to your favorite charity, the season to start weeding the yard and plant your favorite flora, if not, veggies. It is also the season to visit the wonderful and breathtaking Yosemite National Park. We had the chance last weekend via Peter's Aunt Glinda and Uncle Jim Goodwin, along with his parents Jeff and Trish.
We were lucky to enter the Yosemite Valley before the roaring crowd on a Friday afternoon, there were no lines of cars and there was plenty of parking. As a treat, we saw a few wildlife (tons of deer) and a lonely coyote 10 feet away from where we parked. Although it was rather sad to see these creatures to beg for food from humans, it was still a treat to say the least.
We visited the famous Sequoia grove (where we hiked a short trail) and after that hike, I can proudly say that I have learned enough knowledge from Jim Goodwin who introduced me to the genuses of these living giants, compared them to the coastal redwoods, and learned about ice plants who were currently thriving in the grove.
After the grove, we went back to the valley and hiked through Mirror Lake. It was an awesome afternoon and it seemed that we managed the crowd of new tourists that have just gone in that afternoon. There were lots of swimming holes where kids played and frolicked in the watchful eyes of the adults since the water is still somewhat moving in a rapid phase. Dogwoods were about the be in full bloom in about a week. The most gorgeous scenery were the reflection of the granite mountain tops on the water below. It was really a site to see. That afternoon, we were treated by Jim for a drink at the famous Ahwahnee Hotel. It was a gorgeous log cabin type hotel with its old charm, majestic lawns, gorgeous lobby and a huge fireplace in the center. Sitting outside, we were all amazed the the surrounding Yosemite Falls (first photo above), Half Dome and Glacier Point.
That sure was a treat!
By next week we know that the crowd will be bigger, the lines will be longer, Curry Village will even be more packed with campers and day trippers, there will be longer lines of cars looking from the every entrance and will be fighting for that sacred parking spot, but the dogwoods will be in full bloom, the roaring falls will be even more majestic and the atmosphere and excitement will be seen to the face of every man, woman or child, young and old, who will journey to one of the most gorgeous place on planet earth.
Have a wonderful visit!
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