Monday, May 14, 2012

THE INCOMPARABLE YOSEMITE

Saturday, May 12 – We headed to Yosemite National Park early Saturday morning.

Half Doom in the background.Glacier Point 5

We were hesitant to visit on the weekend, but our schedule didn't give us much choice. We were right about the weekend crowds.

Look at these cars.
Look at the traffic.

How would you like to escape the city "madness" and camp in this situation? This area was PACKED!

Woudn't you love to get away from the city and camp like this?

Even though there were gobs of people, it wasn't difficult to find a secluded spot in this wonderful paradise. One only needs to get out of the typical tourist stops, hike a couple hundred yards off the road, or stop a bit past the advertised pull-offs for your pictures, to enjoy the park. We even found a great place all by ourselves for lunch. AWESOME!

Yosemite is known for its uncompromising beauty. And it is an unbelievable beautiful National Park. From the moment you arrive (and it's a very long drive before you arrive...ha ha!) you're embraced in the splendor of one of the world's true natural wonders. Shear granite cliffs rise from the valley carved by glaciers (these valleys were not carved by the rivers).

Glacier Point.

Half Dome...WOW

The view at Glacier Peak was spectacular to say the least. You saw the entire Park in one panoramic and spectacular view. There simply aren't enough superlative to describe it. Again it was a long drive down a narrow windy mountain road to get there, but once you witness the view, the drive is quickly forgotten.

Glacier Point is MAGNIFICENT!
From Glacier Point lookout.

Glacier Point.

Waterfalls are around every turn. Not sure if these abundant waterfalls are present all summer or because we are here during the snow melt, but they sure are beautiful. It's amazing...you hear their roar before you seem them.

Bridalveil Fall
Bridalveil Fall

Beauty everywhere we looked.
Another fall.

We enjoy having a picnic in any area we are visiting or hiking. This was no exception. We left the crowded areas and climbed up the hill and selected the perfect rock for our picnic.

Our secluded picnic site.

What a perfect place for a picnic.
So happy.

There are three National Parks in this area: Sequoia, Kings Canyon, and Yosemite. How can they all be so spectacular? How can they all be so different? They each have their own individuality. Their own uniqueness. Their own beauty. “Well, which one was your favorite?” It would be difficult for a hundred people to come to a consensuses on that question. Paul's favorite was Sequoia. Marsha's favorite was Yosemite.

So there you have it! You'll have to visit them yourself and make your own decision. We've certainly enjoyed are time in this area. We sure hope our daughters visit all these national wonders and soon! You better put it on your MUST SEE list too!

If you would like to see so much more than we can included in this short blog, please click here.

Thanks for stopping by. Hope to see y'all back real soon. Have a wonderful day.

17 comments:

  1. You keep making my list longer and I'm on page 10 both sides now..

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  2. Great blog...that panoramic picture is worthy of a blue ribbon! Traffic was bad when we were there because the road through the park was under construction...not sure which is worse. Note to self...visit mid-week.

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  3. Your pictures took my breath away!!! I can only imagine what it was like to actually be there!
    That was some really bad traffic but oh so worth it!! Thanks for the link to the photo album. :-)

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  4. Wonderful photographs! Thank you so much for writing your blog. I really enjoy reading it.

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  5. To answer your question... no, the falls often are not there by late summer, or are but a thin ribbon. Spring, or after a heavy rain, is the right time to visit. The thunderous roar!!

    Yosemite is definitely one of my favorite parks, and we've visited many times (not in the motorhome). We're currently heading slowly towards another of my favorites, Glacier. Sublime.

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  6. These Federal parks are certainly amazing.

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  7. Isn't it great when you unearth a quiet spot to enjoy lunch amidst the wonders of nature? We love doing that as well.

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  8. Wow. . .postcard quality awesomeness on today's blog. . .

    NOW. . .do you guys always find someone to take your together pics. . .or do you set up with tripod and timer?

    Janice
    ReadyToGoFullTimeRVing.blogspot.com

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  9. Great pictures of a beautiful area. It's been 30+ years since we have visited Yosemite but it is definitely someplace we want to return to.

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  10. Spectacular photos, Marsha. What a beautiful place. Love those waterfalls.

    All 3 parks looked terrific but I'd have to visit each one before I could choose.

    California is a state that has so much beauty and different terrain to offer visitors it's incredible.

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  11. indeed, Yosimite is a very special place...

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  12. Yosemite is one of our favorites too. Thanks for bringing back such wonderful memories of our previous visit. We will have to return soon!

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  13. What a beautiful place. Another wonderful place for you.

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  14. Wow.. great pictures again... the bucket over floweth...

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  15. Don't like the look of all that traffic but like you said, all you have to do is get off the beaten path and you can find solitude anywhere. We have to go there one of these days!

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  16. We can hardly wait to have the experience! Thanks for sharing yours with us.

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  17. Breathtaking! Good to see you enjoying this good time!

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