USA West coast road trip - Part 3 - Yosemite

 

Day 6

Sequoia

After a quick breakfast and a short stop at Avis, we finally take our new Dodge on the road to Yosemite. An hour and half later, we park at the entrance of Mariposa grove. The friendly rangers welcome us and give us some recommandation. Mainly on hygiene as, sadly, the hantavirus killed travellers just a few weeks before. Like people of  Chernobyl, I appreciate the honesty. 
It's already lunch time so we decide to take our icebox and sit on some fallen trees near the car. This was without counting on the bees who are so stubborn in their quest for our food we have to hide in the car. 

One of our many deer friends

In the afternoon we follow the two hours park's walk though the Tunnel Tree to the Fallen Tree. Amazed at the size of Sequoias, we keep on taking pictures where we look like midgets. It's like visiting a giant's house. Everything is out of proportion. Even the mountains we see in the back are impressive. Walking back we pass by a couple stopped. That's when a deer crosses the path two meters in front of us. We stop, amazed, and realise the others had spotted his friends still standing on the other side of the path. A thousand pictures later, satisfied, we leave the park for the day. Initially, we were suppose to spend days and nights inside Yosemite but after the outburst, we decided it was safer to sleep further away from the, otherwise, lovely rodents. 

Finding the Bug Mountain hotel was not an easy task. We drive around it for nearly an hour before being able to park under the many trees overshadowing the reception desk. We have diner in the all wooden restaurant. Its very cozy, big wooden tables, wooden chairs. A huge open kitchen in the back. Lovely. As always, the plate is huge. Caroline takes turkey and ends up with three breasts in her plate. That's what you call a light dinner in America.  

We take the hill up to our lodge. A couple is using the first room. Both rooms are separated by a bathroom. You need to come out, to the balcony to reach it.  In our bedroom, the furniture are cut in huge piece of light wood. There a little desk, a table, one double bed and a bunk bed, on top of which I set camp. 

Day 7

The next morning we have breakfast on the balcony. It's a morning full of beauty: Valley view, the sadly dry Bridalveil fall, the impressive moutain El Capitan.

Coyote

Squirrel in front of "Half Dome"

We pic-nic near the river. The quiet lunch is postponed again as we are "attacked", by ducks this time. 
We get more information from our Rangers friend at the Yosemite village and take a walk toward the lower Yosemite falls. Sadly, in September, the fall is more a tear. We continue to Cook's meadow where we cross path with mule deer again. Then drive though Tunnel view to admire the views over Yosemite of Washburn point and Glacier point. There's a coyote looking at us. He stays stills on the side of the road as all the cars slow down to look at this rare creature. Back at the restaurant, Caroline orders the same dish but this time we share it all together and it's enough. We're already filled with beauty.

Day 8

The upside of vising Yosemite in September is that you are sure to be able to take the Tioga Road. A beautiful drive where you can dip in the Tenaya or Tioga lakes, or if you have cold feet, admire the Cathedral peak amoung other mountains. We picnic in the meadow near Soda spring. For a change, we can eat, our huge sandwich bought at the hotel, without having to chase animals. They, though, have given us many laugh. When we leave Yosemite, as much as the impressive mountains, the clear lakes, the green forest and the clear meadows; we miss the deer, squirrels, ducks, coyotes we met during our days in this heavenly place. 

It is now time to see hell and enter Death Valley.  

To be continued...