Ca-Li-FOR-ni-A! (It’s a Nation State)

And then STARS at the star viewing platform at Evergreen Lodge. What a lovely festivity to end our Happy Birthday weekend.

(I borrowed this picture from the internet as a reminder of our time under the stars.)

They’re off.

(Robert)

Ansel Adams’ took this one in 1934.

(Ansel Adams)

This is a clear and illustrative picture from Wikipedia.

“Tunnel View is a scenic overlook on State Route 41 in Yosemite National Park. The iconic and expansive view of Yosemite Valley from the view point has been seen and documented by visitors since it opened in 1933. …

“The view looks eastward into Yosemite Valley, and includes surrounding features, such as the southwest face of El Capitan on the left, Half Dome on axis, and Bridalveil Fall on the right.”

(Wikipedia)

A view from the living room.

(Bonnie)

I didn’t make it over to the pool but Ben and Bonnie did!

(Bonnie)

Everyone could fit in the kitchen.

(Ben)

We stayed in the John Muir House at the Evergreen Lodge in a beautiful location about 45 minutes outside the Yosemite Valley floor. Plenty of room, views and the fragrant smells of Yosemite, a big hot tub, a fire pit, many lounging and dining options, and a full service resort with a swimming pool, restaurants, ETC!

(Evergreen website)

Bob and Marijke had gone back into the valley for the day this being Marijke’s first chance to be on the valley floor, and among other activities, they hiked to Vernal Falls.

(Marijke)

Good morning September 8!

(Marijke)

…heading to the Majestic Hotel (shall we stop calling it the Ahwahnee?) for a festive lunch where Bob, Marijke, Robert, and Joanna, who had been out hiking, joined the lunch.

Driving into the valley we were enveloped by the smoke and ash from several fires burning at the time.

A grab out of the car’s sunroof.

Along the way we were worried that we would see nothing at all and have a hard time breathing but by the time we got to Yosemite Lodge to pick up our valley floor tour the air was much better, not perfect, but better.

Yosemite Falls.

Here come a few pictures of the magnificent rock faces peeking through the trees.

Another one…

…another one.

Look, more…

…and another one.

There are two yellow squares inside of which are climbers. The park service issues 300 permits per day to climb in Yosemite.

All the falls were running, we were lucky for that, which usually isn’t true in September but this was a particularly wet rainy season.

The Tour Group. I liked it, I liked riding around in the open air snapping some pictures and listening to stories of Yosemite.

Here we are in front of…

…the legendary Tunnel View during a particularly smoky fire season.

Being last to board we got the only backward facing seat on the tram. It’s more like a hay ride with a big tractor pulling a couple of flat-beds.

After the tour we had a stroll over to Yosemite Falls before…

We’re off on the trail to Mirror Lake.

“With a fresh perspective looking up at Half Dome directly from its base, you’ll be rewarded with views of Tenaya Canyon, Mount Watkins, Washington Column, and more.”

More climbers. Yosemite is The place for ‘flat face climbing’ according to the tour guide.

The walk to Mirror Lake wasn’t an easy stroll but it wasn’t hard either.

Here’s the beginning of that view of Half Dome.

“Mirror Lake has little water much of the year and, while pleasant at any time of year, it is fullest in spring and early summer, when Tenaya Creek flows freely with fresh snowmelt.”

So true, it was more of a bog than a lake, but pretty anyway.

Instead of going back the way we came some of us decided to take a different (easier…) route that would bring us to the road and the free tram.

What’s this?! A photo must be taken!

More of Mirror Lake.

“When water is calm, the lake offers beautiful reflections of surrounding cliffs. Exhibits along the trail tell the story of Mirror Lake’s lake-to-meadow succession, and also highlight some of the cultural history of the area. Mirror Lake is often referred to as Mirror Meadow in late summer due to the lack of water and the influx of grasses and sandy areas.”

On the way home, here’s the backside of a fleeing deer and about all we saw of wildlife – deer, and usually fleeing.

Good Morning September 9th!

Keeping ourselves safe from the sun.

(Ben)

“Hetch Hetchy is the name of a valley, a reservoir and a water system in California in the United States. The glacial Hetch Hetchy Valley lies in the northwestern part of Yosemite National Park and is drained by the Tuolumne River. For thousands of years before the arrival of Europeans in the 1850s, the valley was inhabited by Native Americans who practiced subsistence hunting-gathering.

“During the late 19th century, the valley was renowned for its natural beauty – often compared to that of Yosemite Valley – but also targeted for the development of water supply for irrigation and municipal interests.
In 1923, the O’Shaughnessy Dam was completed on the Tuolumne River, flooding the entire valley under the Hetch Hetchy Reservoir.”

Robert and Joanna in front of the Welcome to Hetch Hetchy sign, ready for a real hike.

The water flowing out of the dam.

“The dam and reservoir are the centerpiece of the Hetch Hetchy Project, which in 1934 began to deliver water 167 miles (269 km) west to San Francisco and its client municipalities in the greater San Francisco Bay Area.”

It was an adventure and a healthy slog.

(Robert)

There was some walkway and a bridge from which to appreciate Falls Creek.

(Robert)

Nice colors.

A pano of the reservoir from just past the dam. It goes on much further.

We sat on the ground amazing at the view, eating lunch, having a meditation. It was grand.

(Ben)

Toward the middle on the far left you can see the waterfall where Robert and Joanna hiked.

We are all entering our 70s but here’s Lynn with her real 70th birthday tomorrow. Happy Birthday Lynn!

September 6

Off to Yosemite tomorrow! Pictures might take a while.