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Published: August 6th 2007
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June 9th - June 11th
We had to perform an Annual Family ceremony @ a priest’s place in LiverMoore
The ceremony was on June 11th Monday.
So we thought we would spend the weekend at some place near Liver Moore.
Undoubtedly, the first place that came to my mind was Yosemite.
This is one of the perfect times to visit Yosemite because of the waterfalls being in full swing.
We knew 2 days are not going to be enough for Yosemite. As always, this is nearer, so we can afford one more trip. :-)
This was our plan
Friday - June 8th Evening- start from Tustin and reach Fresno which is 4 hours from our place.
Saturday -June 9th Morning - Start from Fresno and reach Yosemite
Saturday - June 9th Night- Check in @ Oakhurst
Sunday - June 10th - Spend time in Yosemite
Sunday - June 10th Evening - Start from Yosemite and reach Livermore
Monday - June 11th - Perform the ceremony and drive back home.
We booked a room Motel 6 for June 8th Night @ Fresno and June 10th Night @ LiverMore
We booked a room in Comfort Inn @ Oakhurst for Saturday Night.
We
planned to start by 3 in the afternoon on Friday.
But I could not complete my assignment that was due that weekend.
So we could start only by 5.45. We reached Fresno by 11.00.
We started from Fresno to Yosemite by 9 in the morning after having breakfast at Denny’s
We reached Yosemite by 10.30.
We got into the visitor’s center and got the maps and attractions.
I browsed the internet briefly and came up with the following list of places to see.
I was sure that we could not do all of them with the 2 days we had.
1. Yosemite Falls
2. Tunnel View
3. Glacier Point
4. Cooks Meadow
5. The Ahwanee great Lounge
6. Wawona Hotel
7. Mariposa Grove of giant sequoias
8. Hike to vernal falls (Mist trail)
9. Mirror Lake
10. Happy Isles and nature center
Our first stop was Mariposa Grove of giant sequoias. We reached there and were told that there was a tour for 4 hours around the grove. Given the limited time we had, we did not do it as it did not interest both of us.
Our next stop glacier point. From the glacier point we got
a good view of vernal falls, Yosemite falls and Nevada falls. We could also see the half dome.
We spent some time in looking around and took some pictures.
Glacier point provides a good view of the entire valley.
I got a penny souvenir from the souvenir shop there. (I have started collecting it off late)
From there we proceeded to the Yosemite valley. We stopped at Bridalveil falls next. I loved the area surrounding Bridalveil falls. It was noon but it was so dark and cool inside because of the trees and water.
I tried this dreamy water shots (capturing water with slow shutter speed gives amazing effects) and was successful to an extent. Still it is high time that I change my kit lens. It is not giving me any better sharpness. Anyway tried the trick!!
Bridalveil falls beautifully danced to the tunes of wind. After spending sometime there, we stopped to see the El-Capitan just opposite to the falls. We could not see any rock-climbing at that point. It seems usually it is one of the famous spots for rock climbing.
We managed with cookies and chips for lunch due to lack of time.
We proceeded to
the Yosemite valley from there.
Tunnel view is one of the famous vies on the way to the valley. It is a view that is right after crossing a tunnel. I have seen that view in many post cards. I guess it would be interesting t see that place in winter and all as well.
After spending some time, we reached the valley.
There is a place called Curry village, where you can get bikes, rafts (You can actually do rafting in the Merced river spanning 3 miles. But the water is very calm though) rentals.
There is a Village store there to get some eatables and gifts.
We entered the other side of the valley, where the famous Ahwanee hotel is present.
The trail for Yosemite falls start there. The trail to upper Yosemite falls was quite a long one. It was already evening. So we chose to take the trail to Lower Yosemite falls. It stops at a point where you could get a good view of Lower Yosemite falls.
It was so silent. A nice and relaxing stop. After spending some time there we started our way back.
We reached Oakhurst by 9 in the night.
We
went to a Chinese restaurant called Five star opposite to Comfort Inn. It is a newly opened restaurant and the food was amazingJ
The next day I wanted to Hike to vernal falls (The most famous mist trail) and then drive to Tioga pass and return back to Livermore that evening for performing the family ritual the next day.
We started around 10 from the hotel. By the time we reached the valley and started the Mist trail it was 12 in the noon.
Wow. It was indeed a difficult trail for us (we do not hike heavilyJ)…We somehow took frequent breaks and reached the vernal falls in 2 hrs.:-)
It is said to be a 4 mile hike but feels like a lot more than that because it is very sloppy and strenuous.
But vernal falls is amazing. There was a thunder sound when the water hits the hard granite rock.
But as I had already seen Niagara, this would definitely not compare to Niagara.
We went to the top to see the origin of vernal falls. Such a calm water rushes down with a huge force….
It was very calm and cool place. Looking the valley
from
the top is an amazing experience. It is a post card view with greeneries on both sides, and the water running down in-between.
We were also able to see the rainbow that typically happens there.
We relaxed there for a while and returned back by 4.45 to the place where we started.
Our plan was to wind up by 3.30 on Sunday and head to Oakhurst as it takes 5 hours. But this took so much time. We had to cut off Tioga drive from the list. I badly wanted to see the Meadows on the way and the view from such a height.
But we thought it would be too late and hence dropped Tioga and the Meadows for a later time.
We went straight to Ahwanee for lunch. We were told that there is some dressing etiquette to enter their special dining hall. No shots and Jeans are allowed. Balaji was in shots. So we had to eat in the Ahwanee bar.
Ahwanee hotel has rich interiors. A very good experience to be inside.
We started our long way back to Oakhurst with few stops on the way to take pictures.
The rituals went on well the next
day and we reached home by Monday night.
Yosemite is really a good place to visit.
We would love to visit it again.
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travelbuffs
Transient Sapiens
cool trip
Looks like you guys travel at any given chance! Good to know. Try Yosemite in Fall! The best, imho.