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Published: October 15th 2012
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We started today in the Calaveras Big Trees National Forest in Arnold, CA about 15 miles from Murphys. Full of Sequoias and first discovered in the mid 1800s, this was an absolutely beautiful place. We did an easy 1.5 mile hike through the trees and took some amazing photos. We are so glad we took the time to see The Petrified Forest, Muir Woods and the Redwoods and the Sequoias.
From Arnold, we headed to Oakdale to meet up with our niece Brantley. AHole got to go to yet ANOTHER grocery (we did a quick run through Sierra Hills Market in Murphys in the morning) - Grocery Outlet. I'm not sure why we needed more wine and two (2) avocados, but we've got them! We loaded up the cars and it was off to Yosemite.
Our first stop was in Groveland, CA at Mountain Sage (
www.mtsage.com). This was Brantley's idea and so glad she made the call. Mountain Sage is a unique place - art gallery, garden and garden shop, coffee bar and amphitheater. We met the owner, Robb Hirsch, who's beautiful photography is on display and for sale. A gracious host and a great place to refresh.
After surviving the hairpin turns and climb up to the park, our next stop was at El Capitan Meadows. Brantley took time to explain a little about the climbing and NIAD (Nose in a Day) and showed us where she's done a couple of climbs. We were able to see climbers on the rock and that really put the massiveness into perspective - the climbers were literally tiny dots on the rock face.
Our next stop was the Awanhee Hotel where Brantley used to work. She tricked us into an "easy hike" - don't trust rock climbers - S & A had to take a break about 100 yards up (Wal-Mart shoes are not made for hiking on rocky terrain) and ended up working our way back down and checked out the Awanhee. It took willpower not to check ourselves in but adventure awaited!
Brantley was kind enough to book us a room for two (2) nights. We thought we were going to Yosemite Lodge but it was sold out so we have a tent in Curry Village. We were a little nervous but scored a heated tent with electricity, a double bed and two (2) twins. After
a lesson on BEAR AWARENESS, we piled our stuff into the BEAR LOCKER and headed with Brantley to her campsite with the Search and Rescue Team for Yosemite. It was dark now but outfitted with head lamps and lanterns, Brantley and AHole started dinner while Sweetie and Chandler, B's brother, worked on a fire. With some help from one of B's friends, Chandler built one heck of a fire. It was so good, AHole ended up cooking some chicken on the open fire grill. In addition to the grilled chicken, B made some excellent beans, rice and veggies for burritos and tacos. After that, we sat around the massive fire and met some of B's friends and neighbors. A great group of folks that we were lucky to meet. These folks save lives and do it for next to nothing. A perfect night all around - we even managed to find the tent in Curry Village in the dead of night!
Tomorrow is another day in the park...
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