Groveland, California-Yosemite Lakes RV Resort

May 28-June 2, 2018

We spent this week in Yosemite at Yosemite Lakes RV Resort. Yosemite tops many people's favorites list and I am soon to find out why.

It was a LONG journey getting to the park down some narrow country roads. At one point, we came to a “Road Closed Ahead” sign and thought we were for sure in trouble because there was absolutely no place to turn around. There had not been a warning sign when we turned onto the road! Fortunately, there was no construction. Maybe it was because it was Memorial Day but whatever the reason, we were so relieved.

But we made it (after dark) and were ready for the days ahead! But before heading into the park, we had to say hello to our friends, the Royal family and hear about their RV adventure into Mexico. We have run into this family a few other times and it is always fun to catch up with them. This time they were on their way out and so they were able to give us a few recommendations.

Here are some of the highlights from each day:

Day 1 was a hike to Merced Grove to see a couple of sequoia trees

then a stop to take in some of the beautiful scenery along the main road through the park

Day 2 we hiked to Mirror Lake and took a rafting ride down the river.  The views of the waterfalls from the boat were awesome.

(One of the islands we were able to stop at during our rafting ride)

At Mirror Lake the kids waded in the water (lots of people swimming) and had so much fun.  The lake itself is mostly dry but there is still the creek

(See the reflection?)

Day 3 we actually left the park and went to Calaveras Big Tree State Park and hiked the self-guided trails in both the North and South Groves.  Both were very awesome and the South had some enormous sequoias.  It is so sad to read the stories of what happened to these ginormous trees.  Many were stripped of their bark so that they could be reconstructed elsewhere in the US as a spectacle.  

(This is a sugar pine cone.  The sequoia cones are actually quite small)

(Walking through a sequoia)

 We hiked the 5-mile trail to the Agassiz tree and it was so worth it.   

(The Palace Hotel tree was big)

(But the Agassiz tree was even bigger!)

Day 4 (back in Yosemite) we hiked up the Mist trail to Vernal Falls and then to Nevada Falls and then came back down the John Muir trail.  Took us 5.5 hours and it was NOT easy.  It was over 7 miles with a 1900 ft elevation gain.  But it was beautiful.  

(the trek up to Vervnal Falls)

(Vernal Falls)

(Nevada Falls on our way up)

(Top of Nevada Falls)

(View of Nevada Falls on the way down)

Day 5 We drove through the Tuolomne Meadows out to Mono Lake. Mono Lake was very cool with its Tufa formations.  It is a saltwater lake that is 2.5 time saltier than the sea.  It does not have any fish but it is certainly not dead.  The limestone "Tufa formations" grow only underwater as a result of calcium rich springs meeting carbonate water.  The chemical reaction produces calcium carbonate or limestone.  The reason we are able to see the formations is because in 1941 they began diverting water from the lake to nearby towns.  After years of fighting this, the diversions were stopped and restoration is in progress. But as you can see, the volume is significantly lower.

And the Meadows were absolutely gorgeous.  We did a short hike to Soda Springs.  

On our way to the Meadows, we did a hike to May Lake.  It was only 1.1 miles each way but had a pretty good elevation gain.  The lake was so pretty.  There was snow on the ground and the lake was still covered in ice.

  
We enjoyed our time in Yosemite very much.  This is definitely on my favorite's list!

UTAH-STATE NUMBER 48!!!

May 13-May 27, 2018

Next up was Utah, our 48^th STATE! Woo hoo! Our mission is now complete! Not really. There is so much more to see and so many beautiful places to revisit and explore deeper.

Our first stop was Archview RV Park in Moab. For our first outing, we met up with the Howard and Chan Families in Arches National Park to hike the Sandstone/Broken/Drapery Arch trails. The group had a chance to catch up and see some beautiful scenery and formations.

(Sandstone Arch-the kids are at the bottom right)

(Broken Arch)

(Broken Arch from the other side)

(Drapery Arch)

(Drapery Arch up closer)

(view along hike)

A trip through the Fiery Furnace was next. This hike requires a tour or special permit to do. Since Greg would not be able to go during tour hours, we did this on our own (with the special permit). I was a bit nervous since the trail is not well marked except for some brown arrows on the brown rocks, marking the tour route. The reason for that is that you get to choose your path as long as you stay within the wash areas. Knowing how "directionally challenged" I am, that did not sound as awesome to me as it would to others. Eagle eyes Jacob was surprised that I spotted most of the arrows first. I told him it was because “my life depends on it!” But it was a fun hike with obstacles and cracks to make it through.

Next, we met the Schroeder family for the first time and went on the Grandstaff trail. It was one of Ellie's first hikes on the road and she enjoyed it. There were some challenges like a high wall to climb and some stream crossings but she enjoyed exploring. We enjoyed our visit with this family and hearing the stories of their life and journey.

Double Arch and Delicate Arch were next.

(Double Arch)

(Delicate Arch)

And last in Arches was Corona Arch, probably my favorite. This was another fun hike for Ellie with some steep rock climbs.

(Corona Arch-the kids and I are at the bottom right of the arch.  Ellie is the white spot a little further right)

(Jacob at the base of Corona)

(the trickiest and steepest part on the fairly slippery rock)

The next day, Greg's vacation began. We rented a jeep and took off on the Klondike Bluff off-road trail. This trail was more about a 4WD adventure than beauty. It made me very nervous in spots but Greg seems to know what he is doing. 

We stopped to check out some dinosaur prints in the slick rock and an old mining area. 

(This little stuffy belongs to one of Jordan's friends.  She has been traveling with us on our adventures this year)

After leaving that area, we traveled through Gemini Bridge, Long Canyon and Pucker Pass.

Then we loaded up our camping gear in the jeep and began to explore Canyonlands National Park along the White Rim Trail. It's a 100 mile trail that requires 4WD and we spent 2 nights on the trail.  There is no running water and you must pack out your trash.  There were pit toilets at every campsite though.

(I can't believe it all fit!)

(First night campsite)

Here's a video showing some of the NARROW twists and descents we had to make.  It was way more nerve wracking than it looks in the video.

This was a fun and pretty crevice/washout area that we were able to hike through.

(Second night campsite)

(View from 2nd campsite)

(The steep switchback road to leave the rim trail)

Still in Utah, we moved to Bryce Valley KOA in Cannonville.  We spent a day in Bryce Canyon National Park and hiked the rim trail,

(The pillars and colors are truly beautiful)

to the Queen's Garden trail (this one was steep down)

(The pillar on the left is the "Queen".  She is standing on platform and facing left.  She has a crown and appears to be carrying something.  It was hard for the kids to see but there was a picture down below which helped)

to the Navajo loop (and this one was a STEEP up)

(In this pic, you can see the brick walls marking the steep switchbacks)

(From the top)

The next day, we drove a few hours to Zion National Park. This place was CROWDED! There is not enough parking and you end up parking a ways out and then having to hike to even get to a shuttle stop (and many people have to park in the town and take a shuttle in). It is VERY pretty though. We tried hiking the Narrows but we didn't get too far as the water was just too cold for one of the kids and really to go further in than we did would require us to get wet up to our waists. So, we turned back. 

We then hiked to Emerald Pool. While probably very beautiful other times of the year, it was pretty dried up . It reminded me of Hamilton Pool just outside Austin only much less impressive.

Escalante Petrified Forest State Park was next. It was a pretty short trip to hike the self-guided Pertrifed Forest trail

The colors are just so pretty!

Another RV'er told us about Willis Creek Narrows so we decided to give it a go. It was fun! We walked through without freezing water and it was very pretty.

Afterwards, we took a drive through Kodachrome Basin State Park to view some of the chimney formations and hike to another arch.

(There we are at the very bottom!)

On our last day in the area, Greg got up at 5 am to drive back to Zion and hike the Angel's Landing trail. When he got to the park at 7:30 am, cars were already parking along the roadside. He made it to the trail and up past the area called “The Wiggles” to Scout's Overlook but the trail, which narrows WAAAYYYY down and requires a chain hand-rail, was so full of people that he decided to turn around. So disappointing! I can't believe it was that busy so early in the morning!

Look closely and you can see the line of people headed up

I have to admit that I felt a little underwhelmed by Utah.  I think that's because of the number of people who had told me it was their favorite and I expected to be totally blown away.  Don't get me wrong.  It IS very beautiful and so worth seeing, but I have seen places just as beautiful (and more beautiful) elsewhere in the US.  My favorite has not changed.

Greg's vacation continues through next week and there is so much more beauty to see as we move over to California.