Here is another update in the ongoing saga of the Toles and their travels. We decided to stay in the High Sierra RV Campground in Oakhurst to do some little things around the trailer, as there is always something to do when your house is on wheels.
Wednesday we putzed around in the morning but in the afternoon, Arda had had it. There was a casino within 10 miles of the campground so she just had to get her fix! The good news is that she played for over an hour and only made a $5 donation… :-)
Here is a quiz for you… Which way does a Sequoia Tree normally fall, up- or down-hill? (Answer at the bottom of this update).
Thursday we headed for Yosemite Village in Yosemite NP where we had reservations for 1 night. Even though it is early in the year with many of the trails still closed and snow covered, it was hard to get a spot. We took one for 1 night (we wanted to stay 3) and looked around the best we could. As you can see from the photos (Yosemite N.P.), there are a lot of beautiful places to see. What was really strange was the fact that at 6:00 PM it was dark in the park due to the height and density of the trees even though the sun was still shining on the tops of the trees and mountains. Yosemite Falls is the tallest water falls in the US and the 5th highest in the world. The bike paths were beautiful as the land in the valley is fairly level so Wrangler Dave rode his new bike for the first time and here is the picture to prove it!
We were able to watch a coyote catch his mid-afternoon snack; actually, we were able to watch him/her catch 2 snacks. Another sad fact about the park is that there are on average 16 suicides of young people each year. Apparently, they come there because of the beauty… We rounded out the day with a lovely dinner and campfire and then it was early to bed.
Friday morning we woke early but enjoyed our coffee in bed before setting out to our next destination, Hodgdon Meadow, another part of Yosemite N.P., where we will stay for 2 nights. Reservations we also hard to come by here but we lucked out as someone had cancelled. After setting up camp, Arda and I had a meeting to lay out our plans for the rest of the year… at least until the end of October. We need to get Dad's Christmas plans before we finalize ours, which we will do in the next week or so.
Saturday we headed out to Hetch Hetchy, which is native Miwok for grasses. On the way there, we were able to watch a very large Black Bear eat vegetation in a meadow. We went as far as the road would go, which was to the O'Shaughnessy Dam. The O'Shaughnessy Dam is near Yosemite's western boundary, but the long, narrow, finger-like reservoir stretches eastward for over 8 miles. Construction was completed in 1923. The dam then stood 227 feet high; its present height of 312 feet was achieved only later in 1938 when the hydroelectric plant was built. The water travels 167 miles to San Fransisco via gravity alone through pipe, aqueducts and rivers. It is so pure that SD only adds chlorine to the water, which is mandated by the Feds. There are a lot of foot-trails in the area with something for everyone. You can see the pictures at Yosemite NP.
Then it was back to camp for another campfire and wonderful dinner (hamburgers). What a tough life! God's beauty sure does abound!
Sunday morning dawned with another beautiful day but unfortunately, we had to move on. We headed north towards Sonora not really knowing where we were going until Arda found yet another casino in Jackson CA. It just happened to be on the way – HA! So here we are. We will stay here 2 nights as it is really a beautiful campground, has internet and a shuttle bus to the casino… J
We still don't have data on our phones but at least we can receive/make calls and we do have internet for a couple more days at least.
Answer to Sequoia trivia: Sequoias generally fall UP-HILL because they are typically toppled by a strong wind and the roots on the up-hill side are covered with dirt, tree branches, needles, etc. while those on the downside are bare due to erosion.
Keep your loops open until next time.
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