Yosemite

Last year we were able to take a fun family vacation to Yellowstone with a small group of friends. Despite rain and cold we called it an overall success with lots of fun memories. We decided then that we would try it again this year. So after tossing around a few ideas we decided to head to Yosemite. Dan and I were super excited--neither of us had been to Yosemite before. We had it on good advice that it would be great.We weren't disappointed.

Yosemite is a beautiful valley. We were there at the perfect time. The extremely high water flow made the waterfalls amazing as they cascaded down sheer granite cliffs. We camped in tents in the valley. The kids rode their bikes countless times around the campground exploring and playing. Our campground was next to the horse stables and the kids couldn't get enough of just hanging out there watching the horses eat and drink and petting their noses. Any down time they were begging to go see the horses. Parker and Drew (and occasionally Miguel) were our hatchet men. Those boys were in heaven whenever they could get their hands on the axes. They would just keep asking "can we axe?" We also saw two bears out and about. Not too close thankfully.

We had beautiful weather, gorgeous scenery, and lots of exploring to do.

View from Glacier Point

Upper left is Half-Dome and on the right is Vernal (lower) and Nevada (upper) Falls.

On our first day we took the trail to the footbridge at the base of Vernal Falls. Geoff suggested that he and Dan take Drew and Parker and hike to the top of Nevada Falls. Dan was a bit hesitant, but decided to take the plunge. The rest of us went back and explored Happy Isle, rode the shuttle to buy ice cream at Currey Village, then came home to fix dinner. We waited and waited for the boys to get back. I was getting pretty nervous that Dan would be carrying Parker off the mountain due to exhaustion. About 5 1/2 hours after they left us--they returned--all smiles! They had hiked 7 miles with a 2,000 ft elevation gain. Those boys were amazing hikers.

Off We Go

Parker at the base of Vernal Falls

Yosemite Falls

Saturday we rode our bikes to Mirror Lake. We picnicked and took a plunge (well the kids did). It was nice to relax and watch the kids enjoy the water and play around.

Kids at Mirror Lake with Half-Dome in Background

Just Hanging

Cooling Off

Drew, Gabriella, Sophia, Brenna Parker, Kaylee

Our very last stop of the trip was Bridalveil Fall. We got soaked. There was a lot of mist coming off the waterfall and a couple of inches standing water at the base of the falls. It was so fun. The double rainbow was beautiful. We were right beneath them.

Kaylee Braving the Mist

The Group

Geoff, Ty, Clark, Drew, and Rebecca Nielsen. Lindsay, Sophia, Gabriella, Miguel, and Julianne Ruiz. And Us . . . Marci, Dan, Brenna, Kaylee, and Parker

MORE PICTURES

 

(L) Footbridge at Vernal Falls

(R) Parker, Dan, Geoff, Drew at Vernal Falls

(R) El Capitan on left and Bridalveil Fall on right