Yosemite! Our 10 year anniversary!

Can you believe it? I grew up in SF and had never been to Yosemite. (I also have never been on BART)

We started our vacation up in Cobb with some Highland Springs lounging




Then we headed up to Yosemite to the killer little house we rented.



When we first got to Glacier Point and saw the valley in all it's glory it literally took my breath away. I was not prepared for it.

The first day at Glacier Point with Winnie it was real smoky from the fire. Not a good day for pictures.


Day two was much nicer but still a little smoky





The obligatory tourist shot (the nice guy who took it assured us that he had Half Dome in the background)


Mariposa Grove - our first hike



We did a nice little 6.5 mile hike in the grove. Most folks take the tram for a guided sitting tour. We prefer to hike it.




Then we did a 7 mile hike in the valley floor. It was pretty tame but we did get to touch both sides of the valley walls. it was still pretty hazy from all the smoke.



I was so afraid of Bears that I went out and got some bear spray. (never needed it) The closest we got was four different piles of bear scat and a bear trap.


Because dogs are not allowed on any trails that are not paved we had to leave poor Winnie at home in the mornings and do our really big hikes without her. The real nice thing was that we had a killer river right near our house that we could jump into and Winnie could swim all she wanted.


a family portrait in shadow


We had our 10 year anniversary dinner at the Ahwahnee Hotel - The food was pretty expensive for what it was but the setting was beautiful and the hotel is really cool.
No pics of it since we were there at night but here is a shot from Glacier Point



Winnie did get some good walks in despite not being allowed on any trails and we did get a little down time on the deck.




After four days of fun we had to head home -


I would say this was a successful Yosemite trip. Now we have all sorts of ideas to come back and hike Half Dome and explore some more. You can not even begin to see this place in only four days.

Despite all the tourists Yosemite is not to be missed!
(hint - if you click on the pictures they get real big)