California # 4- Muir Woods

We spent  yesterday at Muir Woods National Monument. 

Another beautiful day in a magical place.  My cousin Rick, who lives in Vacaville, went with us.
 

The trip there was gorgeous as, this time, we drove through the coastal mountains to get there. 

 

 

 

 

We arrived to a cool, clear day that was just perfect for a walk through these majestic trees.   

 

 

 

 

The ground is always in shade as these giants form a canopy well over a hundred feet above. 

 

 

 

 

This group is called the family.  There is a burned stump in the middle and all these trees surrounding it sprouted from it's seeds.

 

 

 The main path takes you a mile into the grove as you walk next to a crystal clear stream. 

 

 

 

The sound of the stream and the calmness of the grove is something everyone should experience at least once.

 

 

These trees will heal themselves by creating burls.  If you have ever seen a piece of burl wood,  you know how beautiful this wood can be. 

 

 

 This burl is high up on the trunk. 

 

 

 

Vickie inside a hollow in a trunk.

 

 

 

Some more postcard quality tree formations. 

 

 

 

 

 This tree is growing through a dead stump. 

 

 

Some of the hiking trails were closed for maintenance.
  

 

 

 What a beautiful place to work.

 

Clover the size of jar lids.
 

 

Even the fallen trees have beauty. 

 

 

 

As you can see, I was having a great time.  She could have warned me before she took the picture, but noooo. 

 

I only had to tell one group of people who stepped over the railing to take pictures in a tree trunk to get back on the trail where they belong.  We had to do this in Sequoia also.

I parked in this spot and got a $100.00 ticket.  I'm now in an e-mail discussion with the Forest Service to get it dismissed.  The truck is registered as a private commercial vehicle in North Carolina and is 22 feet long.  We'll see what happens.
 

 

 

We had another amazing surprise on the way back to the campsite.  I filled the truck with diesel and paid $2.55.9 a gallon, the cheapest that we paid so far on this trip IN CALIFORNIA of all places!!!!!!

 

Today, we head to Napa Valley and meet up with friends who live in Clearlake. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

California # 3- Yosemite

We had a beautiful day for a visit to Yosemite.  It was partially overcast with temps in the high 50's to low 60's.  Again, we had the park almost to ourselves.  This was a perfect time of year to come here as long as the weather co-operates --- and it did. 

 

 

The drive into the park was beautiful.   

 

 

 

Shortly after entering the park, we drove through this tunnel and on the other side was treated to our first look at the valley. 

 

 

 

It can't be seen in this picture but Bridal Veil Falls is in the background.

 

 

 

More scenery on the drive.

 

 

 

A downed tree.

 

 

 

 

Big trees !!

 

 

 

 

 

Bridle Veil Falls up close.

 

 

 

Someone took this picture of us who shouldn't take up photography as a profession.  Waterfalls don't run sideways.

 

 

 

Yosemite Valley was very peaceful. 

 

Views from the valley floor.   

 

 

 

 

 

This Indian woman was weaving miniature baskets.

 

 

 

And yet another big tree. 

 

 

 

Some wildlife! This fox was just standing on the side of the road!  It's almost as though they know they are protected.  We stopped the truck to take the picture and he just posed for us. 

 

 

 

We visited the Ahwahnee Hotel. 

 

 

 

This is a five star hotel and the building is on the Register of Historic Places. 

It opened in July of 1927.  The building was erected in less than two years at a cost of $1,250,000.

 

The rear patio area.

 

 

 

Views from the rear lawn. 

 

 

 

One of  three fireplaces.

 

 

 

These are shots of the main dining room. 

 

 

 I would love to stay here sometime but I'm not sure I could afford it.

 

 

We put 400 fun miles on the truck in the last two days and most of those were winding mountain roads.  Moving day tomorrow and we head further north to continue the adventure.