The plan was that we would leave early Sunday morning so we could get a jump start on the drive home. We had planned a few stops so we wanted to get going. We ended up sleeping in a bit (if you call 7:30 sleeping in) and so we didn't actually get out the door until 8:30. A side comment about breakfast. We offered Cole a donut that Elexis had bought and he totally turned his nose up at it and requested hummus. Such a strange child.
Ok, so we are out the door. Mike secretly wiped off the raccoon marks from the day before so we didn't have to listen to Cole ask about it all day. Little did we know he would notice anyways and then spend his time asking us where they went.
We drove around the valley loop one last time because I really wanted to get photos of some rock climbers on El Cap. It didn't happen. But Cole and I did run over to the trail head for Lower Yosemite falls so we could get a few more pictures.
An attempt at a mommy and son photo which resulted in an old man asking if I wanted him to take the photo for us.
It's totally out of focus but all I cared about was getting $3500 worth of equipment of of his shaky hands!
Kermit B. Frog was there as well.
From there we drove up to Crane Flat so we could meet Russell and hike down to the big tree's grove. We got there at about 10:30 and the hike was only a mile long on a paved road but it was all downhill which meant it was all up hill on the way back!!
Siena was less than thrilled to be in the back pack.
This is the old highway and tree tunnel.
After leaving Russell and heading back towards Tuolumne Meadows the kids passed out and Mike and I enjoyed the peaceful and scenic drive through the park. I think this part of Yosemite is unknown compared to the valley. People venture here if they are interested in back country hiking. It is amazing!
Coming up on Tenaya Lake
Rock climbing!
Tuolumne Meadows
Leaving Yosemite and heading towards Tioga Pass.
This is a picture of the treacherous Tioga Pass. Yes that thin line is the road.
We stopped off and ate lunch at the Mobil Gas Station in Lee Vining. I know that sounds weird but if you notice all the cars, they are not there for gas. Best food that side of Yosemite.
It even has views of Mono Lake
Next we headed on to Bodie State Park. Cole was so excited all weekend to be going to the ghost town! He kept asking when we were going and when we finally got there he was so stoked!! If you want to read a brief history on Bodie you can go to my
photography blog and read up on it.
After the HWY ends you have 3 miles on a dirt road.
Looking back at where we came in from.
The final hill before getting to the booth.
The church.
A main street. Only about 5% of the building are left in Bodie after the town was abandoned and the fires went through.
The mine.
A functioning outhouse. It was Cole's first experience with one.
Bodie gas station.
An old saloon.
Pretty much what she did the entire time.
Family picture!
As you can probably tell, Cole was being quite the poser this weekend! Which I of course love!
Using my new (old) Kodak Duraflex camera to shoot though.
Pretty much all you will see driving from Lee Vining to Carson City is fields and fields of cattle. It's actually pretty nice. Love the free range cows.
