Days 12 and 13: Yosemite!

As Alex headed off to Knoxville, Tennessee, where he is starting an acting MFA program, we packed up the car to camp in Yosemite. We tried to get a first-come, first-served campsite but that was not possible so we got the last spot at a campground just outside the park and did a day hike to Mono Lake.

Yosemite is unlike anything either of us expected. It’s not just mountains, it’s granite rock shaped by glaciers millions of years ago. It’s jawdropping. If you haven’t been, you must go. Our awe was intensified by our 8-hour hike to Clouds Rest, which provides the best view of the park. Luckily, we befriended an REI guide on a pleasure hike and he explained the geology, geography and history of Yosemite.
We wanted to stay another day but after surviving 30-degree weather the previous night, we opted to head back to Gary and Nancy and warm beds.