Yosemite!

We've been home now for almost a month, so I'd better finish this trip blog while my memory is still fairly fresh, and before the holidays take over and I can't remember anything!

The last destination on our five week journey was a place I have been to many times in my lifetime, and is still one of the most awe-inspiring places I have ever seen: Yosemite National Park. 

Our last night was spent on the eastern side of the Sierras, in a tiny town called Lee Vining, California, just outside of the eastern entrance to the park. As we climbed to over 9500 feet of elevation on Highway 120, we came to a small body of mirror-like water called Ellery Lake, and the excitement began to mount.

Ellery Lake

Before long, we were in the Yosemite Valley, looking at some of the most majestic granite rock formations on earth! 

El Capitan

Half Dome

We drove around the park, stopping to shoot photos of sites like Bridal Veil Falls and the famous Tunnel View overlook.

Bridal Veil Falls

 

Wawona Tunnel View Overlook

Although we didn't take very many pictures of ourselves on our trip, we couldn't resist setting the self-timer on Sam's camera and getting this classic shot.

Before heading out of Yosemite, we stopped at Sentinel Beach, along the Merced River, to have a picnic lunch with El Capitan towering above us. The sun was warm on our backs as we sat at one of the picnic tables, munching on our crackers, cheese, and fruit, when a woman approached us and asked if we minded sharing our table with her and her husband. Of course, we said yes, and struck up a very enjoyable conversation with Heather and Dennis Fardy of Australia!

Sentinel Beach, with El Capitan in the background.

Turns out, they were also both recently retired and traveling across the US and Canada, however, they were beginning the eighth week of their TEN week trip! We exchanged comments about the various places we had been to, and although they have four children, they were tiny bit envious that we have two grandchildren. 

When it was time to go, I took a photo of the two of them and promised to send it to Heather's email address, which I did, and I am happy to say we have written back and forth a couple of times since. Looks like we now have some friends down under, too! Apparently, their home is on the northern beaches in Newport, near Sydney, with a balcony over looking the Pacific Ocean. They have invited us to visit them, should we ever make our way to Australia. I must admit, it does make the thought of that long flight much more appealing!