Sun Sept 28  Joshua Tree National Park

Traveling day as we exited via the southern road from Sequoia.  Another 40 miles of bad road -- hairpin turns every 100 yards it seemed.  Later talked to a ranger who commuted every day along that road.  That's foolish dedication.

Saw this sign.  I'm guessing it says "Gamble Here" or it could be "Vote for Me" or "In An Accident?  Call."

Took the interstate from Visalia all the way into the outskirts of LA, then turned for Joshua Tree.  It was windy, and well farmed, along the route.

Arrived at Joshua Tree mid-afternoon and treated it as a windshield park.  We expected the Joshua Trees, but not the big rock piles around the park.  The rocks come in size from gravel to giant.  The Intersection Rock below is used for climbing practice.  Come here before El Capitan.

Drove to Keys View where we could have seen into Mexico if the sky was clear.  Since it wasn't 1978 anymore, we strained to see Palm Springs about 30 miles away. 

Here's a rock that looked like an armadillo, or maybe the Sydney Opera House. 

The aptly named Skull Rock.

Joshua Tree was worth the visit.

Sat  Sept 27 -- Lions and Tigers and Bears, oh my

Actually, just bears.  First day of bad weather on the trip.  Not bad for nearly four weeks on the road.  Cold and rainy, with some sleet mixed in when we went to the car.  Traveled to locations near the Wuksachi Lodge, which included the General Sherman tree, Congress Trail and Crescent Meadow   Fortunately the rain/sleet ended, and we had blue skies, for awhile. 

That's Guy in the picture along with the black bear ambling across the path.

 As we were driving from the Sherman parking lot we spotted a pair of bears on our right (see earlier entry for established methodology).  As we were capturing the moment a tiny ball of black fur came across the road and joined the others.  The cub couldn't have been more than fifty pounds and eighteen inches long.  They're so cute at that age, but i don't think mama would have appreciated a closer approach.

 As little ones are wont to do, cub decided to climb the tree.

We found a sign that exactly matched the moment.

Obligatory tourist picture of tunnel tree and us driving through it. 

  Over at the meadow it was just nature looking pretty, surrounded by big trees.

The excitement of the day was power going out about 2:30 in the hotel.  They have a generator that keeps the main lodge and, most importantly, the restaurant going.  The outlying bedroom buildings went without.   And it was getting cold and foggy outdoors -- we were looking at the huge pile of wool blankets in the closet, figuring they'd come into play shortly, when the power returned about 6:30.  Apparently this is a common occurrence here.   So we were truly roughing it in the wilderness today.

Friday Sept 26 -- Big Trees

On the way out of Yosemite, first - yet another Tunnel View stop, then we stopped at Mariposa Grove, home to sequoia.  These are the inland version of coastal redwoods -- massive trees.  Definitely needed the wide angle lens to get these in the picture -- otherwise I'd have to back up to the other side of the park.

After gas, groceries and lunch in Fresno it was on to Sequoia National Park and more big trees.  General Grant is one of the biggest.  I noticed that the info sign said that Gen'l Grant had a volume of 46,608 sq ft.  1 - How do they measure it?  2 - How do they get such precision, 5 significant digits?  I was impressed with both the skill and the innumeracy of the park service.

Our lodge for two nights in Sequoia National Park.  Actually, this is the registration desk and restaurant.  Three outbuildings up the hill behind me hold the guest rooms.

Tue 9/23 - Thur 9/25 - Yosemite

Left SF early and headed for Yosemite.  For the first hour of our drive out of SF traffic going in the other direction was stop and go.  That must make for a lovely commute every day into the city.  We were going in the other direction, so things were good. 

Approaching Yosemite there was evidence of recent fires.  Our first stop was Tunnel View, the site of iconic Ansel Adams picture of Yosemite.  Of course, Bridalveil Falls was dry and it was mid day, but it was still impressive.  Not quite enough for the guy parked next to us.  His wife jumped out of the car with camera while he sat with his back to the view checking his phone. 

On our drive to Glacier Point we found several bears.  Our technique for finding them is both traditional and effective: we slow down when a huge bunch of cars is blocking the road and both sides.  Generally it's pretty easy to spot the bears then.  More frequently deer.

 

Glacier Point views are great.  There's the Awhanee, our hotel.  Those bumps are people at the top, or the hat brim, of Half Dome.  You can hike up on the far side using a chain handrail.  Not for me.  Nevada Falls was nearly dry -- that's the upper section of the Merced River.  Within the valley the river was a raging trickle.

Apparently we don't try hard enough for our selfies.

 On day 2 we drove around the valley.  The shuttle bus is very effective, but didn't go far enough for us, so we drove.   Views everywhere.

Climbers on El Capitan.

Fern Spring, a little viewpoint along the road.

Bridalveil Falls with just a little bit of water.  sun as The backlight made for an interesting effect right at the top.

A deer family on Cathedral Beach.

Went to Tunnel View again for sunset.  Very orange and then pink, but no clouds.  That's the story of Yosemite this year -- no clouds, no rain.

Day 3 breakfast in the Awhanee restuarant.

The day included a Photo Walk in which we learned lighting and "how did that make you feel?"  Did see a woodpecker drive off a jay.  That was fun.  Also more view of the valley.

One way to view the valley.

There were actually clouds  during the day and at sunset.