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Published: August 22nd 2005
The sun came up Thursday morning and our spirits went up with it. We got into Yosemite by 9am and hiked up into the Mariposa Grove of ancient Sequoias in knee-deep snow. The kids did really well - both were very determined to see what was billed as the oldest living tree,estimated to be between 1800 and 2700 years old, the Grizzly Giant. The hike was 3.3 miles one-way. Renee didn't complain about being tired until we were well on our way back. A short ride on her dad's shoulders seemed to cure her. Keith didn't complain at all. Total hike was over 10 km. Bodes well for the all-day hike we plan in New Zealand. It was wonderfully quiet except for the snow falling plop! off the trees, in some cases hundreds of feet. Renee was worried that one would hit her so I reassured her that the chances were very slim. A few minutes later a snowball-sized plop landed right on her head! Gave her quite a frighten but she was fine. She put her hood up after that.
Arrived in the main Yosemite Valley in the afternoon. The whole valley roared with the waterfalls and their echoes. Saw the Bridalveil first then Yosemite Falls (tallest in North America, 5th tallest in the world). Later saw the Royal Arches Cascades and hiked a mile or so to see the Vernal Falls. All these were flowing voluminously. Finally discovered the Sentinel Falls which was the only one which was disappointing as it was just a trickle. Overall a wonderful two days spent in a stunningly beautiful area.
Spent Saturday in San Fran. Took the requisite cable car ride. San Francisco was the first city to have them in 1873, and is now the only city left with them. I could not believe the public transit system. The variety is terrific. Besides cable cars there are trolleys, streetcars, buses and a metro. (I thought Montreal was the only city this side of Paris that called their subway a metro but apparently I was wrong.) Then there is also a "motorized cable car" which is actually just a bus made to look like a cable car. To add to the confusion many people call cable cars "trolleys" and trolleys "trams". Anyway the real cable cars are the ones on railroad tracks without the overhead wire.
We hopped off in Chinatown. We found it less culturally distinctive and more aggressively commercial than Vancouver's slightly smaller version. Continued down Columbus street which crosses the city to Fisherman's Wharf and the Piers. Enjoyed exploring and shopping. Saw the Sea Lion colony at Pier 39. Then went off to the Exploratorium where we spent the rest of the afternoon playing with various hands-on arts and science exhibits.
Sunday we went back to the city and rented bikes. Rode along the shoreline and over the Golden Gate Bridge. Continued along the North Shore to Sausalito and then took the ferry back to San Fran. We didn't quite make it back to the rental spot before the skies opened up again. Again, the quick dry clothes proved their worth.
Monday went to Monterey. Spent most of the day at the aquarium. Neat lesser-known animals like invisible jellies and leafy sea dragons as well as the conventional stuff. Drove down the spectacular section of the Pacific Highway south of Monterey. Unspoiled, mountainous coastline with waves crashing against the cliffs way below. Drove through the Watsonville area where much of Canada's out of season produce like strawberries is grown. Told the kids we must have been near where Bobbie McGee lives, as we drove past Salinas. Somewhere near Salinas Lord I let her slip away...
Overall we really liked central California. The freeways are always full of cars but it is a lot more natural and unspoiled than we expected. Lots of green spaces and parks and protected areas. People are calm and non-judgmental. A relaxing place for a vacation. We'll be back. Someday.
Tomorrow we fly to the southern hemisphere!
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anonymous
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Where's Sue???
Sue is on this trip, right? Get out from behind the camera already! George wants to go to Yosemite now. The trip so far sounds great. Weather here has been lovely; the tulips are starting to come up. Keep dry! - Kathy, George and Patrick