We met Jay for breakfast that Saturday at Mel's Diner, a Hollywood institution. This place is a total throwback to the 50s and made famous in the movie "American Graffiti". The walls are covered with photos of movie stars, and our waitress informed us that there is a Hollywood Museum on the premises, she assured us that is is the best sight in Hollywood. We didn't have time to tour the museum, but promised ourselves we would "next time".
We had a delicious meal, visiting with Jay, and then it was time to say goodbye. After two weeks in LA with him, I found it difficult to say farewell. How I wish he didn't live so far away, but he is following his dream and is happy in California. Get a grip Mom. So, as I wiped a tear away, we drove off with a wave to meet our friends, Jaqui and Steve Zwick in Yosemite.
We arrived at our hotel, and our pals met us with wonderful Sonoma wine, cheese and warm hugs. We spent the afternoon catching up on each others' lives and enjoying the warm sunshine. Dinner was at the local spot: The Miner's Inn, where a prime rib dinner is $12.99!
The next morning we were out and at the park bright and early. Our friends know Yosemite well, as they have been going visiting for years, in fact, they Honeymooned there in the 60s. They wanted to show us around and we were happy to let them.
We started out seeing El Capitian, rising 3,593 ft.-more than 350 stories-above the Valley. It is the largest exposed-granite monolith in the world. People have been climbing its entire face since 1958, and we could see tiny, moving adventurers with our binoculars. Then we drove to Glacier Point for a bird's eye view of the entire Valley. And then there is Half Dome, another astonishing "rock" of granite that tops off at 4,700 ft. above. Again, with our binoculars, we could see tiny spots of color climbing to the top. This is done by hiking 8.5 mi. (one way) on a trail whose last 400 ft. must be ascended while holding onto a steel cable. No thanks. We were happy with photos.
After lunch we hiked up the Mist Trail to get a good view of Vernal Falls. The trek up and back is about 3 mi. of steep, rugged, rocky trail. It was a hot day, and we were happy to have the Merced River tumbling down the falls on it's way to a tranquil flow through the Valley, cooling us as we panted on our way. The breathtaking falls and view at the top was well worth the hike. None of this trail has guard rails and the drop offs are intimidating at the least. On our way, we noted a poster and photos of two "missing" hikers who fell in August this year. Some times people think they can step out on the edge of one of the slippery rocks that jut out over the river, accidentally slipping to their deaths. We were told that the park looses one or two visitors a month on average. Respect for these dangerous heights is important.
The topography of Yosemite is so spectacular, that words cannot describe it. I have never seen a place where the landscape literally takes over the sky. It totally overwhelmed me with it's magnificence, beauty and sheer size. Remarkable and amazing. I could not stop exclaiming, I ran out of descriptive adjectives.
That night we had dinner at the famous, historic Ahwahnee Hotel. Opened in 1927, this grand hotel boasts the Grand Lounge, 77 ft. long with magnificent 24 ft. high ceilings and all manner of Indian artwork on display. It is the most special interior space in Yosemite. What a perfect day. We saw the beautiful, awe inspiring Park, and spent it with special friends, laughing and enjoying time together.
Next morning after breakfast, we bade our friends a fond adieu and drove out by way of the scenic Tioga Road. Few mountain drives anywhere can compare visually with this 59 mi. seasonal road. As we climbed 3,200 ft. up to the 9,945-foot summit of Tioga Pass, we encountered broad vistas of the High Sierra with it's craggy but hearty trees and shrubs. Just a bit too rugged in my opinion-steep, steep drop offs and (naturally) no guard rails. Lots of hairpin switch backs and narrow lanes of traffic. I loved it, but was happy when we finally reached the end and were on turf that was somewhat flatter.
We headed to a very different place indeed. Vegas, here we come!
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