We threw back the curtains with a heavy heart today, Yosemite is stunning and we wished we could stay longer at Big Creek B&B in Fish Camp. Slightly disappointed we couldn't get up to Glacier Point yesterday despite two attempts but the holiday traffic and long wait may have jeopardised other plans for the day if we waited the 2 hours. So today we decided to try one more time, so quickly readjusted the route to take us back through the park to pick up the 16 mile road and try again. We were low on fuel but I refused to stop and fill up, I didn't want to chance the rangers barricading the road again. Thankfully, this time the road was open and we made it first to Washburn Point, then the final Glacier Point stop, so glad we tried the third time to see of Half Dome in the distance, Vernal Falls, Nevada Falls, Grizzly Peak, Liberty Cap and the Merced River from up high.
On the way down with the park being quieter today we stopped at the side of the road to get a better look at El Capitan. While staring at it Helen saw a flash of hi viz orange as a pin head sized object and through the binoculars we got a view of climbers on the face.
The route took us out of the park back on the CA 120, continuation of the Tioga pass road we came in on running west. By this time we were really low on fuel, with no air-con and both began to sweat in the 90 plus heat, and I feel Helen's breath breathing down my neck making me event hotter. Thankfully, a gas station appeared around the bend, and we both breathed a sigh of relief and sucess at getting to Glacier Point without running out of fuel.
The planned route for the rest of the day was to avoid Interstate Freeways, instead crossing Country by first following the 49 in Gold Country, crossing the California Delta on Highway 12 through the small Wine producing town of Lodi then on to our two night stay at the Napa River Inn.
Watching Pamela's Humingbirds on the porch while eating breakfast.
Views from Washburn Point.
Glacier Point View.
As you drive through the park, the most amazing sight of El Capitan appears between the trees.
Zooming in this face of El Cap' you can see Climbers...
Dead wood caused by forest fires.
This twisty section of the 120 was amazing as we dropped out of the Sierra Nevada. Very sad to leave we both agree.
Now picking up some of the 49 the old Gold Prospectors route and stopping in Jamestown to eat our packed lunch in the shade at the front of a closed saloon. The town originated from gold rush period.
Our lunch stop. Later we drove through the small town of San Andreas and onto the fruit farms and vineyards of Lodi.
After Lodi, we crossed the California Delta and the bridge at Rio Vista, then through Napa Valley to the hotel.
