On to Sequoia National Park!

September 28, 2013

Pulled out of our park near Yosemite this morning, and traveled on down the road to Sequoia National Park...

On the way, we drove through areas of gently rolling hills, scrubby trees, and rocky boulders.

I love old, abandoned barns, houses, schools, etc.. The stories they could tell!!!

another old sway backed  barn!

And all over this part of  California, we have been seeing field after field of groves - oranges, limes, lemons, avocados, different nuts, and lots of vineyards.

We arrived at the park entrance early afternoon, and took a picture of our "TG" i.e.:  Travelocity Gnome with the Entrance sign! LOL!

Our campsite was WONDERFUL!  Dry camping, no hookups at all, but with the Solar panels on our rig we could still use microwave, toaster, curling iron, etc.  It was SO quiet here and we were in a very private spot, with huge boulders on each side and the giant Sequoias. Heaven!  Only $9.00 per night....

Then off to explore the Northern part of the park - King's Canyon area. More of the mountains showing all along at lookouts .. For Flatlanders like US, Mountains are a TREAT!

We saw a LOT of different kinds of pine trees, growing out of ROCKS...

And I have fallen TOTALLY in love with Manzanita bushes!  Love the contrast of the red wood with the pale green leaves.

We drove all along the winding road, and saw lots of streams, waterfalls, and granite boulders, in different colors.

A Fire blackened tree in a meadow... there are LOTS of fire ravaged areas, the Ranger I spoke to said that some were actually caused by "controlled burns'' that had gotten out of control.....

TEXTURE AGAIN!!!!

 Here is a downed burned tree and rocks imbedded into the roots again.....

Tree growing out of rocks again..

It was nearly sunset by the time we backtracked back to our camper, so had a relaxing evening, listening to XM Radio, and candlelight...  No wifi or cell signal, of course, but GREAT XM!

Anticipating another great day tomorrow!

STAY TUNED!!! It is going to be a BIG one!  

Day 2 of our trip into Yosemite!

Sept 26, 2013

Our Friend and tour guide for the day, Don Wilson,  came about 8:00 in the morning and we Took off back into the Park again!  

This is a similar shot to one I took yesterday, and the slow stream was even more reflective...  So peaceful!  

Then we got to a spot where we could see El Capitan, Half Dome and the Three Brothers.

Don decided we needed to be included! LOL!

Yosemite Falls. Upper, Basin and lower...

Texture on a log......  yes, I am a bit weird about this stuff!

This is the Chapel near Yosemite Lodge...  Very pretty inside and is still used for some Weddings...

LeConte Memorial Lodge...I could LIVE in this place!!!

At Don's suggestion, we had lunch in the Ahwahnee, a FABULOUS Lodge in the park..
This is the HUGE Fireplace in the Lodge "Drawing Room"..

Here is the Dining Room, and it was HUGE!

Here are just a portion of the amazing tapestries, rugs and paintings.....on the walls and inside display cabinets.

This was above the Fireplace in this HUGE room!

Here is a HUGE copper potted plant, with branches...

Just a FEW of the Antique Native American baskets and pottery pieces displayed.

And more textiles...

We walked the garden area and saw several deer in the meadow behind the Dining Hall.

This lovely building was RIGHT next to the Royal Arch Cascade Mountain...

More baskets on another Mantle

and everywhere, the boulders that are still in the same place as when they have fallen many years ago.. now part of the Landscaping......

As Don and I were scouting out Photo Opps, , we saw these  large rocks that have been totally embraced by the roots of the tree....

Don, or Friend and Tour Guide is a Professional Photographer, and gave me hints on how best to compose shots....  I am trying, but will never get to his level!!!  But the GOOD news is that here in this place, the SCENERY speaks for itself!!! LOL!

Another downed tree, hugging the boulders!!!!!

Still trying to get to get a good grade from my "Teacher"!!

The Teacher and I!!!

This interesting contraption is a "people mover" used in the park to take visitors from the Visitor's center to points of interest in the Park....

MOI.....

Later in the afternoon, we went up to Glacier Point, and had a "Bird's Eye View" of all of the interesting points down below....  this is "Half Dome" as a Snow Squall was rolling in!

and from another viewpoint....

Yosemite Falls from Above - Upper falls, basin and Lower Falls.

More falls - Vernal Falls and Nevada Falls.

SNOW on the mountain!!!!!

A flower, soon to be covered by snow.....

Sun here, snow over there!!!

Bark texture in the sun.....

 This guy was watching EVERYTHING going on, HOPING someone would drop some crumbs or something........

More power TO the person who can see the people on TOP of this Half dome!  there were maybe 10 or 12, who had climbed the face of this formation and as it got to be 5:00 or so in the evening by the time we left, they would not be climbing down THAT night.. Cold, windy and NO BATHROOM up there! LOL! And the Snowstorm was rolling in!

 this is a shot from above of the Ahwahnee Lodge from above.

SNOW!!!!!!!

Can you see the flakes???

And then you turn around and see the sun on the rocks...... weird!

 And one last shot of textured rock, with lichens on it.....

We finally left this beautiful place and headed back down the mountain and had a late dinner at our Campground and Don left - we had SUCH a nice day and the BEST Tour Guide EVER!!!!

Thanks SO much Don!  See you soon!

More posting to come - FINALLY have GREAT wifi here in Barstow, CA.!!!

Hoping to get pix of our last few days posted!