Yosemite

We got a late start because we decided to change course in mid stream. There was a major snow storm in Yellowstone with low temperatures. We decided to stay south and see Arches National Park, Canyonland(Moab), and Brice National Park and cut out Great Basin National Park and Yellowstone. We are playing it by the seat of the pants since we don't have camp sites or motel reservations for any of this part of the adventure.

Yosemite is amazing. It is a valley cut between two enormous steep granite mountains. The valley is relativey level with meadows. We park the car and decided to hike up to Nevada Falls but stopped at Vernal Falls. Vernal Falls was a 1,000 foot vertical path up the mountain. It's hard to imagine walking up the equivalent of a 100 story building (the Empire State Building) where you had to go down a few floors once in a while to go back up some more floors. Even without back packs, we were tired when we reached the top, but the view was awsome.

We then decided to hike to Mirror Lake, another less tiring hike. However when we got there the lake was dry!! However, the views and walk were pretty and we did not regret the excursion.

We then left for our campsite at Cranes Flat and set up camp before dark. Another gormet meal of macroni and cheese and baked beans:) We had a campfire that night and we needed it. The temperature dropped over night into the low 20's and it tested our abilities to stay warm and sleep. Timmy did better than I but neither got a good nights rest.

We did some sightseeing and picture taking on our way out in the morning and started our jouney to Arches National Park which is about 950 miles away. You can see the pictures at here.