More Yosemite Vacation Photos

Here are some more photos of the two days Christine and I spent in Yosemite after leaving Tahoe.















Lake Tenaya















The kid at Olmstead Point















Yosemite Sunset at Tuolome Meadows















Lower Vernal Falls

This one was taken on the "Mist Trail" on the way up to Vernal Falls. The trail is a steep climb adjacent to the falls. It is called the Mist Trail because the spray of the waterfall soaks you to the bone on the way up.















Mist Trail Rainbow















I think this is Granlee Creek

Christine and I visited the local mountaineering shop in Yosemite Valley that specializes in climbing. I got a little light headed looking at all those ropes, carabiners, harnesses, hammers and climbing shoes. Gear always affects me like that. I had to use remarkable restraint to not dive into another $3,000 hobby. I was talking it over with the sales guy and he explained the various levels of mountaineering. At that advanced level it is a very complex activity. But...at the most basic level, it's just climbing rocks, aka bouldering. Necessary equipment? Hands and feet. I got those. It's actually really fun. Could this be the start of a new hobby???? Hmmm.















Lower Yosemite Falls




















Bouldering up to lower Yosemite Falls




















Bouldering up some random hillside on the way up to Vernal Falls

One of the many highlights was getting a little up close and personal with some of the local fauna. Life must be pretty good for these guys as they were completely comfortable with people around. Except for the bear, who was on the verge of charging at any minute ;)















Bear Territory















They ain't lying

Saw this guy near Lower Yosemite Falls while looking for a nice creek to soak my extremely sore legs. This was taken two days after my century ride and after an 8-mile hike and my dogs were barkin'.
















The 8-mile hike was to Merced Grove one of the three Sequoia groves in the park. It is the smallest and least visited but we decided to check it out. We were on Two Bridges Trail which ironically had no bridges on it? Go figure.




















Trees are big

One had fallen down leaving a huge hole where the roots used to be.















There are a ton more photos. I'm going to eventually get them up on flicker to share.

Yosemite is one of the most beautiful places on Earth. We really enjoyed ourselves in the limited time we spent there. This was an impromptu visit, but next time we are going to plan to spend a lot more time exploring.