Yosemite National Park

One of the earliest, most famous and popular National Parks, Yosemite was established in 1890.  It is ceratinly a special and beautiful place on this earth!  We were able to visit the Mariposa Grove of giant Seqouis trees and the famous Yosemite Valley.  We were surprised to see so many visitors in November, even after many of the roads and areas had closed due to snow.  We also observed many foreign national visitors evidenced by the various guest books we signed and observed.  We also saw some local residents... deer and our first bear encounter!  It is impossible for us to capture the stunning magnificence with our camera, we are no Ansel Adams :-) but we share those pictures that remind us of these wonderful visits.

The Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias

The Grizzly Giant Tree - these trees are huge!!!

Gari standing on a small stump in the Mariposa Grove parking lot.

 

A closer picture of the tree behind Gari in the picture above.  The experts call the big scar at the base of the tree, a fire scar.  Sequoias need fire to regenerate, and as a result the trees have a design which resists fire very well.  The fire causes the seeds to be released from the seed cones, and also clears away the competing underbrush for the new seedlings.  Some of the fire scars are incredible.

 An example of an incredible fire scar, the Clothespin Tree.

 

Seqouia seedlings underneath the parents.

The California Tree has a tunnel cut through it and the tree continues to live and grow.  These trees can live up to 3,000 years!  Most of the older larger trees that we saw were estimated from 1,000 to 2,000 years old.  The age of these trees just amazes me when I stop to think about what they have lived through.

And then there's the place Gari selected for us for our picnic lunch :-)  Thank You Gari!

Yosemite Valley and Village

The ride into the valley was difficult.  The roads were hilly, curvey and narrow which made the going slow.
The beauty and wonder started way before we arrived.  When we jumped out of the truck we were greeted by a 6 or 7 point buck deer just 30 feet behind the truck.  He just stood there chewing and looking at us and around his situation.  He had absolutely no fear of us, kind of like a Chincoteague Pony.  I intentionally talked loud so he could hear us to see if that would put him off, but it seemed to have no effect whatsoever.  I didn't think to get his picture... next time.

On the way - it's a little hard to see, but check out that sharp rock hanging into the road on the left.

Entering the valley, we fit throught that hole, without the trailer of course!

Rounding the corner we see El Capitan come into view, wow!

At Yosemite Village

 

 This cross section was dated at 1,700 years old when cut.  The tags are various events in history, such as Columbus arriving in America and the Civil War.

And into the valley... it was hard not to stop every two minutes and take a picture; the scenery was so magnificient!

 Gari caught this little girl sneaking by...

Big rock, man with helmet.

 Some color in front of big rock...

 Iconic Half Dome

 More big granite...

Yosemite Falls from the bridge... no water this time of year and especially because of the drought conditions in California presently.  If you look closely you can see the water stain in the granite where the falls usually occur.  No words...

It was down this path where we met the bears, a sow and her cub.  We did not stop and pull cameras, we just turned around and warned others.

 We end this post with the tree growing out of the rock.

Park of the Sierras - Coarsegold, California

This is an Escapees Cooperative RV Park.  Since we joined Escapees, we are able to stay here.  It is very nice.  Each lot has full hook ups, a storage shed and a concrete patio.  It is very similar to the park we stayed in near Moses Lake in Washington.  We will stay here for a total of three weeks.  The park is very close to the south entrance of Yosemite and Seqouia National Parks.  We will update with pictures from each after we visit.  The park here is in the foothills and has lots of interesting hills.  We are walking and riding bikes in the park and enjoying it very much.

This is lot 103 where we are parked.  Gari did a great job squeezing her into the narrow driveway.

 We were advised to keep the hood open so mice didn't nest in the engine compartment and chew wires.  We keep a trouble light underneath the truck and coach.  Apparently the mice don't like the light either.

 The backdoor to lot 103.

 Our utilities hookups. The yellow cord goes to the trouble light that sits under the truck at night.

 The shady patio.

 Patio looking out.

Walking and riding bikes around the living areas of the park.
The hill out our backyard.  We walk and ride it for exercise.  It is called Cardiac Hill.

 There it is!

 Nice views up here.

 Up on top by the water towers.

 See the Indian Casino down the hill on Lucky Drive.

 Restored Stagecoach at the clubhouse.  An old stagecoach road goes right through the park.

The members here have a sense of humor.  They put a TV antenna on top of the stagecoach along with a FantasticFan!  Not quite historically correct we think :)  The netting is to keep the abundant woodpeckers here from destroying the reproduction.

 Looking down to the clubhouse from the stagecoach display area.

 A lot adjacent to the stagecoach area.

Pictures from the Coarsegold Creek and hiking area in the park.

 Looking upstream Coarsegold Creek.

 Reflecting bench at the bridge.

The round hole in the rock was left by indians.  They soaked acorns in there to leech away the bitterness.

 Close up of the hole.

 Looking downstream; lots of animal tracks...

 Cougar track!  :0

 Another downstream view.