The grand Yosemite

Now that the winter school holiday is over, I can finally get back to regular blogging. Last April, we took an amazing road trip up the beautiful Californian coast from Los Angeles to San Francisco. Along the way, we stopped in Santa Barbara, San Simeon, Monterey and finally Yosemite as the grand finale of the trip. We stayed in Mariposa for two nights, which is about an hour's drive to Yosemite. Honestly, no words can fully describe just how beautiful Yosemite is, with its majestic tall trees, cascading water falls, and the serenity of everything. One day in Yosemite and we barely scratched the surface of the Yosemite experience. I would love more opportunities to go back there.

On the 140 to Yosemite:

The scenery got better and better as we approached Yosemite:

A short stop at the Swinging Bridge:

The ever-curious baby girl checking out what was under the bridge:

Facing south-west from the Swinging Bridge (click image for a larger view):

The view of Yosemite Falls north of the Swinging Bridge (click image for a larger view):

Close-up view of Yosemite Falls as seen from the Swinging Bridge:

The wooden Swinging Bridge, which doesn't actually swing. I read somewhere that the bridge is named so because it spans both sides of the river:

We hired bicycles to do a self-guided tour of the Yosemite Valley - the best way to get around and experience nature at the same time:

Tall, tall trees:

Another angle of the Yosemite Falls we'd seen earlier:

We went to the Ahwahnee Hotel for a children's program, held in the Great Lounge. While the kids were entertained for 45 minutes by a geologist, I took the opportunity to take photos:

Leaving the Ahwahnee Hotel:

Back on our bikes, we encountered some wildlife, a couple of mule deer, also known as black-tailed deer:

On our way out of the Valley on the Hwy 140, we followed directions to the Bridalveil Fall, parked the car in the parking area, and took a short walk to the waterfall. The Ahwahneechee tribe believed that inhaling the mist of Bridalveil Fall would improve one's chances of marriage:

The famed Tunnel View, which gives a panoramic view of the Yosemite Valley and all its icons: El Capitan, Bridalveil Fall and Half Dome (click on image for a larger view):

Closer-up shot of the three icons: