Yosemite
It is easy to see how this glacier carved canyon inspired so many people including Ansel Adams.  The view from the tunnel blows your mind.  It is one of those places that you have to go multiple times because it is so seasonal.  We were there in the Spring so there were waterfalls everywhere, but Tuolumne Meadows and Glacier Point were still closed with impassible roads.  I guess we will have to go back.  You could really spend weeks there especially if you want to do the longer more remote hikes or camping.

View when you come in on the South or West side of Yosemite.  You drive through a tunnel and there it is.  BAMM!  El Capitan & Half Dome in your face.

Our first stop was Bridalveil falls.  Be prepared to get wet.  The wind was blowing the water around so much that Rachel and I were soaked.  The best part was a full circle rainbow wherever you looked, it was like it was following you down the path.

Yosemite lower falls trail.  Topaz is not really suppose to be there.

Yosemite Falls with part of Yosemite Village in the background.  I was surprised  at this bustling little village.  Everyone rides bikes because parking can be cumbersome and villages and lodges are pretty far apart.

Another part of Yosemite is the bears.  You are supposed to take everything out that has a scent.  Food, cans, sunscreen, make up, baby wipes, deodorant.  Do you know how hard that is when you live and cook in your van?

Meadows, waterfalls, rivers, half dome - it's all beautiful.

Topaz and I at the lower Yosemite Falls trail.

 Half dome just always seems worthy of a picture.  I think this was from the mirror lake trail.

Rachel hiked the upper Yosemite falls trail one day while I stayed with Topaz.  She convinced me that we should stay an extra day so that I could hike it too.  I was usually the stickler for keeping with the schedule - you know the engineer type.  It was amazing, not just for the awesome views, but to remind yourself that you can do anything you put your mind to.  Thank you Rachel.  Sometimes you have to change the schedule or you miss things like Upper Yosemite Falls.  The picture on the left is Cascade Falls.  The water is so loud you can hear it as you approach.  It sounds like thunder and gets you so excited you start hiking faster and faster to get there.  The picture on the right is, of course, half dome but at way higher altitude.

Rainbow at Cascade Falls.

 Me at the top of Yosemite Falls.  This is a major accomplishment for my non-hiking self.  It is a little more that 7 miles with a gain of 2700 feet in elevation.   I didn't realize the camaraderie with hiking.  Close to the end people cheer you on and say "You can do it, it is so worth it" and "It's only 30 more minutes".  They lied about the 30 minutes, but it WAS worth it.  

Top of Yosemite Falls.  It is hard to capture how dynamic the water was - spraying and crashing all around.  This is a must see!
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