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I had the most interesting day. First I drove to Yosemite NP from my ‘base camp’ about 50 miles away on the Don Pedro Lake, which is really a dam and a massive recreation area for people with motorboats and those horrid jet skis. What’s so interesting about driving around on a lake, up and down smelling of petrol and no challenge whatsoever is beyond me, but hey, maybe I’m just jealous because I don’t have one. Jet ski, that is. At least I feel at home here, the American bogan has embraced me and is blaring 80s American rock music non-stop. Oh the irony.
But I’m getting side tracked. Oh, one of the boys just peed right in front of me, ha ha ha. I feel so at home. Anyway, Yosemite NP was a bummer to say it politely. Time constraints made me come here yesterday night, a Friday, and since the weather has been unbelievably nice I knew it was going to be busy. But busy isn’t really the word, it was bloody packed. I had two days hiking planned in but I literally drove in, walked around a little bit, took photos, watched the climbers on El
Capitan and Half Dome and drove back to Don Pedro and the jet skis. One is only allowed to drive 25 mph in the centre of the park, and everyone kind of weaves in and out of parking spots to take photos or do a spot of walking. I did that as well, but some agro dude from Colorado drove right up to me and blocked my way. He shouted at me and got really in my face. ‘Are you stupid or something?’ In that order. And then he got out of the car and I quickly closed my doors and windows, which didn’t make my Yosemite experience any better. He called me any name under the sun, very disturbing, and wrote down my licence plate number. For pulling SLOWLY, like everyone else, out of a parking spot! And he didn’t like me having an accent either, for some strange reason that seemed to enrage him even more. I think I’m done now with the US National Parks. Yosemite is marketed as the ‘Jewel’ of the parks but I beg to differ. They shouldn't let people drive themselves and maybe use a shuttle system like in Zion to stop the
madness. Would be much more environmentally friendly as well. BTW, there is a crow or raven around this pace who clucks. I heard it yesterday and thought that was weird, but it is around again today and just clucks like a chicken. Where is Rodney Falconer when I need him?
I also learned something really interesting today. While I was driving back to Don Pedro (another route so I could see a bit more of the landscape) I noticed two cars parked on top of a hill next to the road, one guy with binoculars out. Ever the opportunist when bird/animal watching is concerned, I pull over but realise they are watching a fire far on the horizon. California is known for its terrible wildfires, as is Australia as we all know, and I just sat in the car and got actually really scared, when I hear a walky talky from one of the cars. Since I have an accent and usually get away with asking stupid questions, I get out and ask the couple watching the fire how big it is. Well, this started an educational lecture by the driver who seemed to delight in telling me all
about the California Fire Brigade. It was really interesting, however terribly technical and most of the numbers I already forgot, for example how much water the helicopter carries, what colour the State Fire Brigade’s truck was and what colour the County . . .(one white, one red) BUT what I didn’t know and find fascinating is that low security prisoners who do lots of community service instead of jail are also part of the fire fighting team during their community service. Isn’t that cool?
Anyway, I think this is my last entry. I’m going to Big Sur tomorrow for one day and try to see the California Condor there and then back to Los Angeles, return the van and get my butt back to Australia. Over and out.
Today: I’m at the airport waiting for my 15 hour flight, oh joy. I did see two California Condors, big fat birds and I’m delighted that I spied such magnificent birds. I also almost stepped on a rare San Francisco Garter Snake while I returned from watching Elephant Seals fight each other on the beach. They were so loud, it was great, like watching National Geographic for real. You probably
have noticed that I love animals by now and I had the most amazing last evening at a camp just a few miles from Malibu. The sky was so clear that night I slept with the van door open and saw three shooting stars before I fell asleep. When I woke up I watched brown pelicans feed right in front of me while I was still in bed and then, I’m not kidding, dolphins and seals showed up. How bloody cool is that? On my last day the animals turned up to say good-bye to me. I’m getting all emotional just writing about it, just imagine my reaction this morning. UNREAL! I had a truly amazing trip and I’m sure I will not shut up about it for quite some time. See you Monday.
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