To Yosemite & beyond

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As we are leaving the wonderful city of San Francisco, hopefully it won't be forever, managed to catch the Golden Gate Bridge in all it's glory, with a little fog, having been over it three times in all, I think it looked even prettier than usual. (The bridge celebrated it's 75th birthday this year)

I have now actually driven on a highway that was seven lanes wide, yes seven with traffic all going in the same direction - unbelievable.

On our way to Groveland, where we are staying before journeying on to Yosemite, we called in at a little mining town called Jamestown, wanted to go panning for gold, but were too late & it was over 90deg, way too hot. As we were driving the 200 + miles the temperature reading on the car hit 105, what the hell is that all about !

We have even found a scarier road than the Big Sur, it is Old Priest Road on the way to Groveland, cars cannot/should not go faster than 25mph & it is 2.5 miles of sheer hell climbing up 470mtrs, cars often topple over the edge, or their engines heat up or there brakes 'smoke' because they overheat!!, however we were sensible & took the newer version, but that was 6 miles of torture & hell, climbing up the same gradient, but on the side that you can see/fall over the edge - was not fun!

Our room for the night was in a quaint old west style hotel & Groveland is like a town from a western, even has a pub called Iron Door Saloon. So we were only going to have a quick pint, something to eat & get an early night before our epic journey through Yosemite, how come all our best plans go astray? Think our nerves were still shattered after the drive, so had a couple of pints, then the baseball came on telly, so Hubby wanted to see the game, so had a couple more pints, then we started talking to the locals, so joined them for a couple more pints, then met a real life cowboy who eneded up buying 'Mr I only want a quick pint' a Jack Daniels & coke & me a beer!! Will we ever learn?

Day 12

Well considering the amount of local beverages we consummed we feel quite well & we are on our way to Yosemite - roads are still very scary Hubby wants to know how he always seems to be the driver on the scary road sections! Considering I have never been here before, he cannot blame me for setting him up !!! (or can he - mind you I would rather drive some of these roads than be a passenger)

All I can say is that wherever you look Yosemite is jaw-dropping, stunning, beautiful, alluring, magnificent, resplendent splendour - words cannot convey it's majesty sufficiently !! Come & see for yourselves.

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Photos

Long, long very long roads
I drove for 20 miles without moving the steering wheel more than 10 deg