This is a picture heavy post... so much to show! :)
Monday, May 27. We stayed at a hotel near the southern entrance of Yosemite. We were just a windy road away from Rich's all time favorite National Park. He grew up coming to Yosemite for vacations frequently and it was neat to recognize parts from our first family vacation there 11 years ago. We got some lunch at the little general store and took the bus over to the grove.
The area used to be much more built up with buildings and parking areas, but they have tried to return the areas to their original state after they realized the parking lots were damaging the trees. I remembered the little store from before and we continued the tradition of ice cream from the store after our hike around the trees.
Then we drove on up to the Yosemite valley. It is a gorgeous drive and view. Rich's parents and my parents both met us there at Yosemite lodge. The rooms were larger than we had imagined and the dining hall had great food selections. After settling in and getting some dinner we walked over to the base of Yosemite falls. I love waterfalls! They are gorgeous! Of course the girls had to play amongst the rocks... and Rich is my hero on this trip- picking up and giving rides to weary feet all throughout our trip... I frequently walked behind him carrying one girl, and the other two girls hanging off each arm. :)
After that the kids were ready for some down time while Rich and I and our parents attended a presentation about the Ahwhana lodge- one of the few national park services grand hotels.
Monday, May 27. We stayed at a hotel near the southern entrance of Yosemite. We were just a windy road away from Rich's all time favorite National Park. He grew up coming to Yosemite for vacations frequently and it was neat to recognize parts from our first family vacation there 11 years ago. We got some lunch at the little general store and took the bus over to the grove.
The area used to be much more built up with buildings and parking areas, but they have tried to return the areas to their original state after they realized the parking lots were damaging the trees. I remembered the little store from before and we continued the tradition of ice cream from the store after our hike around the trees.
Then we drove on up to the Yosemite valley. It is a gorgeous drive and view. Rich's parents and my parents both met us there at Yosemite lodge. The rooms were larger than we had imagined and the dining hall had great food selections. After settling in and getting some dinner we walked over to the base of Yosemite falls. I love waterfalls! They are gorgeous! Of course the girls had to play amongst the rocks... and Rich is my hero on this trip- picking up and giving rides to weary feet all throughout our trip... I frequently walked behind him carrying one girl, and the other two girls hanging off each arm. :)
After that the kids were ready for some down time while Rich and I and our parents attended a presentation about the Ahwhana lodge- one of the few national park services grand hotels.
Tuesday, May 28. As we got up and headed out that morning the mist around Yosemite Valley was gorgeous. I tried to capture it on my camera, but I don't think it does it justice. Here's also a picture of our home for three nights- at Yosemite Lodge. The goal for the day was the Vernal Falls/Mist trail. We hiked this 11 years ago when Alex was 4 and Ashley rode in a backpack up the mountain. It was a little more challenging with four kids to "talk" up the mountain this time. The views as always were amazing... Rich and the girls made it all the way up the mist trail with his parents. I need to copy some photo's from his parents of them at the top, because the camera was with me and Alex and I made it over halfway, and then decided to turn back. We waited at the bridge- a popular spot for people to hang out and enjoyed watching the squirrels eating all the crumbs dropped as people ate their lunches. As we headed back down from the bridge the girls were enjoying the downhill and I could barely keep up with them and their newfound energy. :) I slowed Ashley down by giving her the camera to snap a few pictures of the view on the way back down the trail.
My parents took the open bus tour of the Yosemite valley while we were hiking the mist trail. We headed into the "town center" and visited the grocery store for some lunch, and saw the visitors center, and Indian village, and we meet up with them. Dinner each night was fun to sit down with everyone and share what we had seen and done during the day, and the food was great- much higher quality than I think we had expected. After dinner we all went to our extra large family room and played card games and talked and enjoyed time together.
Wednesday, May 29. We said goodbye to my parents this morning, they were headed back home to Utah. After our goodbye's our family and Rich's parents boarded the shuttle for another hike. The destination for today was Mirror Lake. This was a much easier hike than the day before and we took our time and enjoyed so much more than just hiking. We forded a mountain stream with icy cold water- barefoot! and added to a very cool collection of hiking cairns (stacks of rocks to mark a trail).
After our hike we went and grabbed some lunch and went to the lodge. The girls had been asking if we could rent bikes, so Rich and the girls and I rented bikes and went on a bike ride around almost the whole valley. I was impressed with how well Angela kept up with the faster pace Ashley wanted to set! :)
My parents took the open bus tour of the Yosemite valley while we were hiking the mist trail. We headed into the "town center" and visited the grocery store for some lunch, and saw the visitors center, and Indian village, and we meet up with them. Dinner each night was fun to sit down with everyone and share what we had seen and done during the day, and the food was great- much higher quality than I think we had expected. After dinner we all went to our extra large family room and played card games and talked and enjoyed time together.
Wednesday, May 29. We said goodbye to my parents this morning, they were headed back home to Utah. After our goodbye's our family and Rich's parents boarded the shuttle for another hike. The destination for today was Mirror Lake. This was a much easier hike than the day before and we took our time and enjoyed so much more than just hiking. We forded a mountain stream with icy cold water- barefoot! and added to a very cool collection of hiking cairns (stacks of rocks to mark a trail).
After our hike we went and grabbed some lunch and went to the lodge. The girls had been asking if we could rent bikes, so Rich and the girls and I rented bikes and went on a bike ride around almost the whole valley. I was impressed with how well Angela kept up with the faster pace Ashley wanted to set! :)
After our bike ride, Rich, Angela, Alex and I went with Rich's parents to see the Ahwahna Lodge- a beautiful hotel at the base of El Capitan. We even were able to see some men up climbing the famous rock face.
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