We just got back from an overnighter in the Valley. I had to break one of my cardinal rules about not visiting Yosemite during the busy season since my daughter wanted to spend her 11th birthday on an outing with her dad on the half day mule ride
Road construction---the detours have ended at long last. The one way loop around the valley floor is back to normal!
4x5 film---I didn't see a lot in the fridge at the Ansel Adam's Gallery. I don't know if they were just low in their stock or if they're cutting back, so if you need to bolster your resources while in the park you might want to give them a call and find out what emulsions they plan to have on hand.
Wildlife---Bears, herds of deer, coyotes...we saw them all! The critters are very active in the valley right now!
Waterfalls---Spectacular!
Merced River below Vernal Falls---Extreme whitewater. Very photogenic but don't slip in! Deadly!
Food---We had dinner at the Buffet at Camp Curry on saturday evening. The prices weren't bad but the food wasn't as tasty as I remember from years past.
Perhaps the kitchen crew hasn't gotten their "act" honed yet as it is early in the season.
Degnan's still has very good pizza (which we had for lunch on sunday) and the staff was very "with-it" unlike our last visit.
Perhaps the kitchen crew is still fresh and attentive as it is still early in the season.
Mules---Claire rode Slick, I rode Fred. Destination: Clark's Point. Route: a new (to me) equestrian only trail that circumvents Happy Isles. I found this very interesting as I thought I'd been over every square inch of Happy Isles yet I don't remember seeing this area before. It is quite an improvement seperating the stock from the foot traffic all the way from Happy Isles to past Vernal Falls. It is a wonderfully constructed trail with beautiful rock work.
Mosquitos---Yeah, they're out.
Weather---Mist hanging over the meadows in the morning. Lots of thundercloud activity from about 2:00PM-ish on. Some rain (delightful when coming up from 100+ degress in Fresno! )
That is all.
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