Yosemite May 11th-May 18th: Chris, Ron and Arthur took a trip to Yosemite, Kings Canyon and Sequoia to experience the Sierra Nevada. Ron and I flew through Denver to San Francisco, then rented an SUV for a 3 hour drive to Yosemite. We arrived on Saturday, so got to spend a few extra days in Yosemite before Arthur's arrival on Monday evening. We stayed at Bear Creek Cabins which is right next to the Yosemite Bug hostel. Tioga pass opened early for the season on the day we arrived, which was good for us, but doesn't bode well for the water situation in the area. One of the Rangers told us that the Sierras had received only 31% of the normal snowfall this past winter. Regardless, I think Yosemite is now my favorite National Park and I belive I have the pictures to prove it.
Photos - Saturday; Day 1
Photos - Sunday; Day 2
Photos - Monday; Day 3
On Tuesday, we gave Arthur a brief overview of Yosemite, and then drove 3.5 hours south to the Kings Canyon / Sequoia area. We stayed at a VRBO called Mountain View Retreat and it had an honest to goodness spectacular mountain view.
Photos - Tuesday; Day 4
Arthur's Photos - Tuesday; Day 4
In Kings Canyon National Park, we started seeing some of the really big trees, including the Big Stump and General Grant (our national Christmas tree) which is the 3rd largest living thing in the world by volume. Tomorrow, we'll see #1.
Photos - Wednesday; Day 5
Arthur's Photos - Wednesday; Day 5
Seeing #1 - General Sherman in Sequoia National Park and the grove of giant trees was mighty impressive. Happening upon a few bears was more exciting.
Photos - Thursday; Day 6
Arthur's Photos - Thursday; Day 6