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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Along the way, we saw dark-eyed juncos (different from ours with the rusty color on the back) . .
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...and the Sego Lily with its large blooms.
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We hiked about one mile to Westfall Meadow which we had to ourselves.
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I wish I could grow a garden that is this pretty.
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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!
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Here we are on Sentinel Dome where we saw all of Yosemite Valley.
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Look who popped up in my field of view...
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A momma ground squirrel looking for a handout.
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On one side of Sentinel, you can see Yosemite Falls.
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On the other side is the famous Half Dome.
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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.
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It was so hot this family cooled off in Bridal Veil Creek on the way up to see the falls.
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This was as close as I got to Bridal Veil Falls which really did remind me of a bridal veil.
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That evening we watched the sunset at nearby Glacier Point.
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There's something about Half Dome that you want to keep looking at it.
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In the east, the moon was rising.
We camped two nights at Bridal Veil campground then headed for the coast...