Yosemite (Finally)

Okay, let me preface this blog post with some thoughts. I was holding on to this post because I was trying to get it "just right", but then I realized, I'm going on a month holding this post, and it will be another six months before I can take some time to get it "just right". So, here it is, incomplete thoughts, bad grammar, and all.

Why? Check things out for mom. It's on my 43 things list to take my mom to Yosemite.

What? Drove down into the valley, hung out way too long at Bridalveil Falls, took lots of pictures at the creek. Drove around, walked around, took lots of pictures.

Stood under the veil- got properly soaked. Good thing I was properly outfitted. Drove the roads. Odd, not used to it. Used to parking and shuttling it around. Looking for parking and handicapped places. Then, since drove around so long, couldn't find parking :( After driving around some more, found parking near the infamous Camp 4. Shuttled to food then went to Lower Falls. Walked the handi route to see if it would be mom-friendly. If it's good enough for a wheelchair, then it's good enough for my momma's waddle. Moved the car to the day lot because could only park there until 6. Spent money at the gift shop like a tourist. Found a cute t-shirt especially for work at REI. If I think about it, I'll take a picture and post it.

Then TRIED to come home. I kept stopping. The views at sunset were stunning. From the moment I got in my car, to actually leaving-leaving, took about 90 minutes. Stopped to see Yosemite Falls, then El Capitan, Bridalveil Falls, then Half Dome from the other side of the tunnel (Wawona Tunnel). Of course once I finally got on my way, I got stuck behind a big tour bus going -10mph.

The drive from Fish Camp to Oakhurst was wild in the dark, and I was surprised by the full moon. I didn't even know there would be one that night. Once upon a time, I was very into the waxing and waning phases of the moon, but not anymore. But still, a big full moon is always pleasant on the eyes.

LOTS of walking. Not my normal "wear", but enough to break in the Merrell's. I've done some 5 mile walks, in both the Soles and the SuperFeet, I like the SuperFeet better. In honesty, I was hoping to be won over by the Soles, just because they have Ed Viesters name on them, but nope, this super girl likes her SuperFeet. (Mental note to self- need to do the write up on all the Chacos I bought).

Anyways, I stopped in Oakhurst for dinner, but was too tired to get out of the car, so I went through the drive-thru and then parked and ate in my car. What I found funny was that I wasn't the only person doing it. There was a man in the car to my left, and a couple in the truck to my right. I wonder if they all spent the day in Yosemite too.

Got home sometimes between 9-10 I think, then immediately downloaded my pictures. Of course I wore my shirt to work the next day. I couldn't wait, and now I'm just waiting to have another break in my schedule so I can go back. Hopefully with Mom. I want to go during the week, hopefully before memorial weekend. Because that's when tourist season starts. My goal is to go back for a total of 8 times before my pass expires, but with the price of gas, I don't know. Lately I've been paying 3.73-ish a gallon at Costco (as of 4/19/08), but I don't know how long they can keep it up (or down). 8 years or so ago, I was bitching about paying $2.50/gal. YOWZA. According to my high school senior scrapbook, gas at the AM/PM that used to be on Blackstone and Gettysburg near my childhood home was .89 for 87. But that was 1991. Yes, I'm O.L.D. (but my kind REI colleagues swear I'm under 30-- I love them!).

Enough talk about gas, it's too depressing. Here! Look at my Pictures: PICTURES It's not all the pictures, I'm still formatting them, but I will let you see what I have so far. Once they are all uploaded, I'll let you know.

Great trip, my only complaint is that I didn't drag anyone with me. I would have liked to have had my picture taken at the Tunnel View. I guess I could have asked one of the tourists to take one of me, but I swear (ok, not really) I was the only person there speaking English. Lots of other languages, most I recognized, some I didn't. And I love the black sock with sandals look-- NOT!!!!

Love, Yvette