Tuesday, October 20, 2015

HOMEWARD BOUND TO CALIFORNIA
YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK
October 11-19, 2015

Driving from Albuquerque, New Mexico to California’s Yosemite National Park in two days with a triple tow rig some 950 miles is a long stretch which definitely earns one a Road Warrior badge. Toss in the challenge of navigating through the various interstate exchanges to bypass the massive expanse of urban sprawl development around Nevada’s Boulder City and Las Vegas is a feat worthy of a  Super Road Warrior award. The transportation infrastructure system there is best left to those folks thinking that they have found utopia (NOT) by living cheaper in the desert. 
Exploring parts of America’s western region during the past three months conquered nearly 10,000 miles and lots of amazing landscapes out on the road. 

The final destination found us crossing over Tioga Pass into Yosemite Valley for a week to decompress and unwind before returning home in the Bay Area. Mother Nature seems to continue playing havoc around California with the drought and  the rage of wildfires.  

This year we have been to Yosemite NP both in the spring and the fall in celebration of its 125th Birthday. People all over the world come visit this national park for the beauty and tranquility it offers.

Vernal Falls 















The state’s lack of rainfall has greatly impacted the national park and valley floor as well; the fall colors are less vibrant and leaves on the trees are extremely dry and sparse the season, the waterfalls and the Merced River are virtually all dry (although a two day rain and thunderstorms brought the valley somewhat back to life), hordes of ravens and animals are savaging about everywhere for food and water, and smoke lingers in the air from prescribed burns and natural fires. 
Yosemite Falls bone dry October 12, 2015


As rainfall poured into Yosemite Valley we found the kid within ourselves jumping and splashing for joy in the puddles. Rain is such a blessing and much needed gift everywhere for the environment. The drought reminds us just how fragile our planet has been impacted by global warming and the importance of the role each of us must consciously assume in becoming even better stewards of the Earth. 
Hiking to the Mist Trail
48 hours of heavy rainfall October 17-18, 2015  Yosemite Falls
gushes after months being bone dry and the fires cease to prevail
HOORAY LET'S SEE MORE RAIN
BRING IT ON !