My favorite National Park is Yosemite. It’s an icon of America’s majestic natural beauty.  From the thundering waterfalls, giant sequoias, enormous granite cliff of El Captain and Half Dome, a the quiet valleys, it is easy to immerse yourself in the peacefulness of Nature. Even with so many tourists today I felt quit alone in this vast park. 

The plan was to ride in the valley, but there was so much traffic that I felt safer in the car. I probably could have ridden faster than we were driving with the bumper to bumper cars, RV and trucks but it was nice to see the park instead of being all nervous on a bike with people looking up in awe of their surrounds and not looking at the road. Kelly and I came here with our parents back in the 80’s. It brought back good memories.  I’m glad she is with me today. We both needed a healthy dose of beauty to ease our souls.

 Last time I was here in 2012 a friend of mine had texted me saying he had left money under a rock in a camping area to have beer money the next time he came. I would know where it was because it had a lightning bolt on it. He said if I could find it I could have the money to go to the local bar for a beer. I, of course, found it and replaced it with more money. Kelly and I went back to the rock and put some more money under the lightning bolt for my friend whenever he makes the trip back to Yosemite.

We traveled on the Tioga Pass Road which is on the east side of Yosemite. It’s closed during the winter months until just recently when it reopened a few days ago. If you haven’t been on this road, it is a must. Traveling this highway will take you from the base of Yosemite Valley at 4,000 feet of elevation all the way up to around 10,000 feet of elevation. The dramatic change in elevation offer so many different vistas to soak in the beauty of the granite mountains as far as the eye can see. Then there is the Tuolumne Grove which has a dozen or so giant sequoias. Add all the snow capped mountain lakes,  the wildlife, the vast lush meadows and you have a perfect drive! I am in awe! 

We made to Lee Vining and got a few drinks to take with us to  Mono Lake.  I wanted to catch the sunset there and take a “few” pictures. I was here for the first time in 2012 with a photographer friend. It’s been on my list of places to revisit. I was so excited to share the beauty with Kelly. Mono Lake is an ancient saline lake.  It is home to trillions of brine shrimp, millions of birds, and world-famous tufa towers. It’s very interesting how they are made. All these tufas are created under water. Once they are above water they stop growing. 

We left there and are now in the quaint resort town of Mammoth Lakes. We found a not-so-cheap Motel 6 to stay. It’s nice but nothing fancy for its price, but what do you expect in a resort town. It is clean, but no frills. Too expensive for just 2 double beds. We paid for the fastest WiFi and it was slower than molasses. Couldn’t get anything uploaded and took forever to load my maps for planning. Technology drives me insane! I will have to add photos another day. We walked across the street to John’s Pizza Works and was thankful they sat us and let us order because it was right at closing time. It was really good. It’s been another full day for us. Heading to bed now.

Thanks for all the encouragement many of you have sent my way.