Yosemite, Sequoia & Kings Canyon 13th to 25th Oct

Yosemite National Park

Saturday 13^th October – Since the beginning of our adventures in 2010,
Yosemite National Park was the one place we’d been dying to explore.






 

We were so excited when we finally arrived and guess what?  As we drove up to the Ranger’s Hut we were told “No Vacancies!”  WHAT!! 








Apparently it’s always hard to get a site at the weekend, had we arrived mid-week, no worries!  The Ranger advised we could go on a waiting list and with a bit of luck we might get in. 















We joined a queue to register our name and couldn’t help but notice all the people ahead of us.  We were told to come back at 5pm to discover our fate.  

It was an anxious wait listening to the successful names being called out and with only 2 spaces left..…finally “Mr Go-ut” rang loud and clear.  What a relief. 




  

Ayway with all that behind us we went to see a movie at the Yosemite Theatre.  I can’t remember the name of it but it was an inspirational story about a Native Indian who climbed all the highest mountains bare foot and with no safety ropes.  At the end of the movie, he came on stage and spoke about his life and family. 
           

Our campsite was awful, it made Armageddon look attractive.  It was a damp night and as we tried to find our site the thick smoke from the campfires hung around like a wet blanket. 

It looked like the end of the world with not a blade of grass anywhere.   I was ever hopeful it would look better in the morning. 

Over the next couple of days we took the free Shuttle Bus to various parts of Yosemite and did some amazing walks.

We hiked to the magnificent granite cliff called El Capitan.  We watched a group of climbers ascend the cliff face. 

On average it takes 3 days to reach the summit and we could see some of the climbers resting in hammocks.  




Hard to believe they camp in tents over night.  What are we moaning about?

American Indian folklore tells a story about a man and women who argued and fought. 















 The spirits were unhappy with their behaviour and changed them into stone, Half Dome and North Dome, who have to face each other forever across the valley. 

There’s a hint of autumn in the air and some of the leaves are turning golden brown. The tall yellow grass in the meadow looks spectacular. 

We ascended 7,214 feet to a viewpoint called Glacier Point situated on the south wall of the Yosemite Valley.  Got some wonderful photographs of the mountains and Yosemite Falls.

The look-out was surprisingly busy with tourists and quite by chance we met an Australian lady called Pam who had spent the past 40 years living in India.  








We got talking and swapped email addresses, maybe we can housesit for her in Mumbai.

Had a great time at Yosemite but it's time to move on.

Spent a ‘freebie’ night on the side of the road next to Bass Lake in Sierra National Forrest.  What a top spot. 

 The weather was beautiful so Al went fishing and I sat reading a good book and didn’t move an inch only to apply more sunscreen. 

Racoon Prints 

Moving on from the Lake we arrived at Fresno, recently voted Dirtiest City in the USA, oh we can pick ‘em.   Our destination was Blackstone North RV Park and when we finally pulled in we were shocked to find a very rough Trailer Park next door. The only thing that separated us from them was razor wire on top of the fence. 

Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Park

Friday 19th October - Walked a self guided half mile loop called General Grant TreeTrail in Sequoia National Park.  It was wonderful to get up close to these majestic trees. 



















Spent one night at Azalea Campground and a second night at Sheep Creek in KingsCanyon National Park.   Both rugged and no frills. 

Rise and Shine!!  We were up with the sparrow fart because someone wanted to go fishing!!  Found Hume Lake and the great maestro caught 3 trout.  You beauty!!  No kissing and throwing back, they went straight on the BBQ. 

   

Walked around the famous General Sherman Tree, the largest tree in the world. 

On 21^st we left the Sequoia National Park and drove 
to Patterson in Stanislaus County, California.




Next stop Kit Fox RV Park in Patterson, an up-market type resort and much nicer than our previous camp.  We went in to register and Cindy organised our booking.

  We were very aware of our “bogan” appearance!  We hadn’t had a shower in 4 days and my hair was sticking to my head and Allen had a wild looking stubble happening.  Cindy smiled sweetly and asked “Are you the newly weds?”

The weather was cold, wet and miserable but there was a good supply of swap books in the Office.  Stocked up on some great James Patterson books (nothing to do with the town of Patterson where we were staying).  He’s an excellent author and his books are always fast moving.  Unlike us.

What is Patterson famous for?  Absolutely nothing.  We noticed a local football club was having a fund raising BBQ in the park.  It was such a great set-up we had to take a picture.

                                 End of 24th Post