California 2

Amtrak

Day1-2

The journey started off with a delay, the Amtrak was delayed by 5 hours. We finally made it into the train it was pretty comfortable. The slow steady pace was kind of comforting but my companion was sure restless. The first leg of the journey was really scenic through the Rocky mountain national Park and Glenwood springs. Of notable mention was the rafting folks flashing their bottoms and some of them much more at the passing train. we had interesting company during meal times.They did have to move us as there was a technical glitch with the airconditioning. we reached sacramento that evening checkout our convertible for the weekend and drove down to the Santacruz area..it was so dark and late at night which meant we escaped the traffic.

On a platform 110m above ground in a Redwood tree.

Entering Yosemite

Day 3
The morning finds us at the Henry Cowell state Park. We zip-lined through the magnificent redwood trees giving us an awesome view of the little streams way down bellow. These trees are related to the giant sequoias but only taller and slender when compared. After the adrenaline rush, a quick bite at a local pizza shop we were on our way to the Yosemite national park.  With the convertible top down; we cut through the farms and orchards, it was a very pleasant drive. As we entered the park, the open top afforded wonderful views of the looming granite facades of El Capitan, Half Dome and the other cliffs as well as the numerous waterfalls and the Merced river. We brought with us storm so our plans of going star gazing fell apart, we explored the lodging area and retired early.

Glacier Point

Tunnel view

The Yosemite Falls in its entirety

Day 4
No improvements in the weather so far, so we take the tour up to the glacier point which was partly a bad idea as we were stuck with a whole bunch of Japanese tourists. The view on top the glacier point was almost magical; it gave us a different perspective of the landscape. On our way down we were able to click some great shots of the Tunnel view. In our rooms, we make adjustments to the itinerary which was painfully expensive and moved on. We watched the Yosemite falls up close and marveled at this wonder of nature and then walked through the lower loop of the valley  getting a glimpse of the mirror lake. Dinner and bed.

Vernal Falls

The view of the valley from the other end of the tunnel!

Nostalgic Wawona

Day 5
Early morning we start at the Happy Isles point hike up the vernal falls and then up the nevada falls then joined the panoramic trail with a brief halt at the glacier point we descend down he 4 mile trail which was hardest stretch. We walked a total of 11.9 miles that day and boy it felt good. With jelly legs we head to the other end of he park to Hotel Wawona, a National Historic Landmark.  We had a European style room with no bathroom attached to it. For some reason it almost felt magical. We were 
out like a light before we even realized.

Giant Sequoia

Off Sailing!

Sunset....ah!

Day 6
The sumptuous breakfast in the hotel's dining area had service and the ambience that made me feel like royalty for a bit..my imagination at its very best :)
We drive to the mariposa grove to check out the giant sequoias...I just felt inconspicuous besides this natural exception. It's always hard for the very small and very large in nature, by being on ends of the continuum you are unique but also need to work harder to survive or so it appears. we enjoyed some quite time among these magnificent mute trees and then headed on to out next destination Lake Tahoe...


On the way we see some magnificent views of such contrasting hues to a stretch of bare rocks. We drove through some hilly terrain to get to mono lake and further on to Lake Tahoe.


That evening we checked into a hotel and then went on on evening cruise on the Tahoe Queen. The dinner on board was disappointing even for me but hey ! we were on the boat!! IT took us to the south end of the lake to emerald bay and back to port. Then to bed.

South Tahoe

Bye!

Day 7
Breakfast followed by a walk to the beach to the jetty. The sand here is very peculiar, it's more like fine gravel versus the fine texture of the sand on an ocean beach. The lake is fed in to by number or streams and rivulets from the mountains it. We soaked up some sun.. and then checked out of the hotel. We rode the gondola for a better view of the lake and then took off to the Sacramento airport. We made it in time enough to squeeze in an Indian restaurant for lunch. Then we flew back home :)