Yosemite is, well, Stunning!

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After leaving Bryce spent the night in Tonopah, NV. Not much happening there. Went to dinner with a couple I met from Grand Junction, CO. Good Mexcian food. I had attempted to make it to Mammoth but was thwarted by weather. Pic attached. Today I flew through the valleys to Bishop and then Mammoth. What can I say? The pics don't do it justice. Met Dan from Eureka area. Rented a car, this time a Subaru Forester, and drove into town. Dan and I ate at the Good Life Cafe. Kind of fitting. I decided to go up to Yosemite from the East side via Rte 120 out of Lee Vining. Its called Tioga Road and goes through, appropriately, Tioga Pass. I was absolutely stunned by how beautiful it was. It took hours and hours to get anywhere. Many places I stopped I got out of the car and just looked. Drank water from a waterful by the side of the road. Hiked down to a stream and walked under the shadows of some huge rock mountain. Finally I decided I had better get going or I would never make it to Yosemite Valley. It's quite a drive. I thought I would run up there and see it then quick come back to the East side to watch the sun go down on the mountains. I just didn't think anything could be more beatiful than where I was. Wrong! I can't describe it. Look at the pics. After waiting to watch the sun go down on Half Dome I drove back to Mammoth. Took about 2.5 hours. Uneventful but tiring driving that road. Staying at a Motel 6. Yeah, they leave the light on for you. They should also leave bars on the windows. I have been thinking "What have I found on this trip"? I really don't know what it is but it's there. It's in those pics. It's in the sound of Yosemite Falls. It's in the water I walked through. It's there when I looked up through the huge trees and the cumulus clouds forming. Its there when I am flying through the Big Valley.(ok,who remembers that lady name from that show)I don't know what it is but it's peaceful, fulfulling, huge,powerful and beautiful. That's all the philosophy you're getting from me. Off to Northern Cal tomorrow. Aloha and I hope you enjoy. Tom.

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Photos

Weather
Bad Weather from Tonopah to Bishop. Bagged it and turned back to Tonopah

Valley Flying
The route towards Bishop

Dan
dropping him off

Lake Mary
Really I was lost and found this

Lake Ellery
Elevation app 8500 feet

Some Stream
No name, on the way

i dont know this one either
but i was there

First view
of Yosemite Valley

Time to Go
Sniff

Comments

[brian]

5 star resort
Motel 6 must equal you 5 star resort sounds like you are having a great time brian

[Kelli]

If...
it's not there well where the heck is it?...lol. It looks and sounds so awsome Tom. Thanks for the journey!

[Nancy]

The Big Valley lady was Barbara Stanwick(?) The trip looks beautiful-keep the pics coming.

[delraymom]

Yosemite
Really looks beautiful. like you say each one you see looks more beautiful than the next. enjoy California. keep us posted. love ya. mom/george

[delraymom]

Yosemite
Really looks beautiful. like you say each one you see looks more beautiful than the next. enjoy California. keep us posted. love ya. mom/george

[bob barbero]

this is awesome Tom,still wish i was there

[Josian]

Nice Pics hefe, looks like alot of hiking though. Do they have rascals that you can rent for that? ALRIGHT have fun. Oh by the way your invited to the big bash I am having at your house tonight. C ya Josian