Yosemite National Park

Day 7: Friday, July 5, 2019

I wanted to get another run in before getting on the road again, but was a little worried about the narrow main road and whether the shoulder would be wide enough. Sean assured me that there would be minimal traffic at 5:30 am so I set out and as usual, it was worth it! This run was mostly downhill on the way out and very much uphill on the last mile back-phew! Another 5 miles in the bank and back home by 6:20 makes for a happy mom!

We chatted with the neighbors as we were cleaning and packing up, then hit the road around 8:30 am. With a shorter drive ahead of us on up to Yosemite, we plotted a route to do another Walmart stop along the way. We grabbed some groceries at more reasonable prices and still got to the campground by mid-day.

After a very nerve wracking (for me as the passenger!) drive up the mountain we arrived at the Yosemite Pines RV Resort. We set up which is getting quicker and smoother and then we found the laundromat. I was able to do the laundry while the kids swam and played at the playground. We did a quick dinner of sausage, salad, mac n cheese, and tomato mozzarella again. The campground had several family events this weekend so we took a hayride then roasted marshmallows at the fire pit. The kids made friends so they had fun playing cornhole, sponge/bucket game, and running around. They were doing a movie night as well but since it started at 9 pm we promised the kids they could do it tomorrow since we’re trying to leave for the park very early in the morning.

Also...so glad I brought my 12+ year old Crocs, they have been money walking in and out of the RV. I practically don’t need other shoes!

Day 8: Saturday, July 6

Today we were up at 5:00 to get ourselves together and get a jump on the traffic into Yosemite. I was awakened even earlier (3:30 am!) when the neighbor’s pulled their RV out for a very early drive home. Barrett was not a happy camper to be awakened so early and then refused to eat any of the 5 breakfast options I had brought in the car. Not a super start to the day!

The drive out to Yosemite National Park was smooth and beautiful, especially with the sun coming up over the mountains.

We drove into Yosemite Valley at 7 am on the dot and found parking but learned it was not that close to the visitor’s center, no matter though since it would not open until 9 am. We had not planned very well for this park, unfortunately…

We embarked on a walk, spotted two deer right off the path, and then headed toward the Lower Yosemite Falls. Barrett finally perked up when he realized he could do a little ninja warrior action on the many fallen logs along the path. It was probably a half mile walk and the streams and trees made it very pretty, though it was still a little brisk temperature-wise.

We reached the bottom of the waterfall and there was a rainbow—gorgeous! We felt the spray and stood to admire the beautiful sight, climbed more logs and rocks for photos, and then made our way through the rest of the loop. There were some even better views of the upper falls from further down the path.

By then it started to get warm as the sun was coming up so we made our way back to the village area to get a game plan together for the morning (it was only 8 am at this point!). The area was already getting pretty crowded and we saw that there were long waits for the bus and traffic on the roads between sights. We decided to wait to get into the visitor’s center and get the kids’ junior ranger books as soon as it opened; this is the only park we’ve ever had to buy the books ($3.50). We completed the activities pretty quickly, these kids are getting to be pros! This was one of the easier rangers we’ve had do the check of the books and he gave the kids their badges and extra pin for Barrett, patch for Kinsey. We just wanted to get the badges and leave the area to see some other sights and not have to come back and hunt for parking. We popped into the post office for postcard stamps to send to our cousins (Hi Izzy and Jake!!) and went on our way.

We drove down the road and stopped at a few lookouts, first to see El Capitan, the immense rock formation, and then to overlook the valley from a higher point along the road.

We were not into battling the traffic and crowds at the hot spots anymore so by about 11:30 we decided to leave the park. We had heard it took people hours to get out yesterday evening and then we saw at least a 3 mile long line of cars entering the park when we were leaving—no thank you!

We got back into town, let the kids play at the playground, grabbed a few groceries, and headed back to the RV park for the afternoon. The kids swam for a few hours and then we had an early dinner of grilled chicken and beef tacos-yum! There was a craft activity, live music, and movie night, so we stayed busy in the evening.

Tomorrow the adventure continues!

Yosemite Highlights

BDG-climbing on the logs

KPG-seeing the waterfall

EAG-seeing the rainbow at the waterfall

SGG-meadow looking at el Capitan