Wednesday, August 4, 2010

California Trip: Yosemite Meadows and Waterfalls

We spent the last week in July in California, first to camp in Yosemite National Park and then touring along the California coast below San Francisco.


We bought a new tent (Big Agnes) last year and wanted to try it out. It has two doors so I do not have to climb over Steve to get up for my nightly bathroom break. I think we were the oldest couple in Bridal Veil Creek campground to sleep in a tent. I'm proud that we are still tent camping in our 60s.


Bridal Veil Creek campground is aptly named--the creek runs right through including behind our secluded campsite, providing a nice meadow but also mosquitoes. My long sleeve shirt with insect shield seemed to work good.


Shooting Stars bloomed along the creek.


After camp was set up, we hiked on a trail that started in the campground and went up to a meadow.


Along the way, we saw dark-eyed juncos (different from ours with the rusty color on the back) . .


...and the Sego Lily with its large blooms.


We hiked about one mile to Westfall Meadow which we had to ourselves.


I wish I could grow a garden that is this pretty.


The next morning, we hiked to Sentinel Dome seen here from the trail. On the way up, we saw a brown bear with 2 cubs. I kept my distance!


Here we are on Sentinel Dome where we saw all of Yosemite Valley.


Look who popped up in my field of view...


A momma ground squirrel looking for a handout.


On one side of Sentinel, you can see Yosemite Falls.


On the other side is the famous Half Dome.


On the way to Yosemite Valley, we stopped by another meadow along the road where I couldn't resist taking this photo of a lady in a white dress taking a photo.

Yosemite Valley was crowded but we wanted to take a short hike up to Bridal Veil Falls.


It was so hot this family cooled off in Bridal Veil Creek on the way up to see the falls.



This was as close as I got to Bridal Veil Falls which really did remind me of a bridal veil.


That evening we watched the sunset at nearby Glacier Point.


There's something about Half Dome that you want to keep looking at it.


In the east, the moon was rising.


We camped two nights at Bridal Veil campground then headed for the coast...

9 comments:

  1. Beautiful pics!!! I love the moon one!!!

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  2. WOW! What a beautiful place! Beautiful pictures, the gentleman looks like he is standing too close to the edge of the cliff though...that one makes me a little nervous! LOL.

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  3. Gorgeous photographs. I've never been to Yosemite but it's definitely on my list. Isn't the new camping gear so wonderful? I remember camping with those heavy canvas tents that took hours to put up.

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  4. Little Messy Missy--thanks. I like moon shots too--don't usually catch them too often.

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  5. Oh, it sounds like a WONDERFUL trip! You really got GREAT photos!!

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  6. Unbelievable photos! I always feel like pictures of Yosemite never really do it justice. You have to see it in person to fully understand its beauty. You've really captured some great photos here though!

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  7. Wonderful photos of an incredible place!

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  8. Kerri--thanks. It was a good trip even though we had to only camp a couple of days since I got a cold.

    Kids Outback Club--thanks for visiting. I feel the same way about the Grand Canyon--no photo can do it justice.

    carolina mts--it is incredible!

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  9. Wow..what an awesome trip! Can you believe I have never been to Yosemite..my husband has been several times..
    Seems like it just doesnt fit into the schedule.
    We almost made it there last fall...
    Your photos are wonderful ..Cant wait to get there myself.

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