October 27: Yosemite and the Ahwahnee Hotel

Warning! This is a long one,

 We woke up to this:

However, it warmed up quickly (up to 71º). Paul ran over to Starbucks and got coffee. We also visited the gift shop later on and picked up stuff for a "picnic" lunch.

The shops at the Yosemite Valley Lodge.

Leaves glowing in the sunlight.

 

Our view from outside our room

We checked out and decided to walk to the Lower Yosemite Falls.

Yosemite Falls

A happy tree greets us

Lower Yosemite Falls. A short hike from the Lodge.

The creek it runs into

Signs of civilization!

Upper and lower Yosemite falls.

This was my lunch, sitting in the car under El Capitan.

This is the meadow where you stand to get a view.

See those little black dots near the middle of the picture? Those are climbers!! Crazy!

The Merced River

I found a ladybug on the bridge. (Sharp eyes!)

The view of the whole valley from Glacier Point Road.

Zoomed in a little to be sure you could see Half Dome.

Again, I spotted a plane.

I actually took a picture of me and Paul but it didn't turn out well. There's one later.

Half Dome from the side.

What's behind Half Dome.

Bridal Veil Falls

Vernal Falls

From Glacier Point

Marvin made it to Glacier Point

Back to the Tunnel View. This time the picture turned out much better. 

This is why it's called Tunnel View.

Greetings at the Ahwahnee 

Our room is nice and big

Here's the view out of our window

Close up, you can see Yosemite Falls

One of the lobbies

The dining room. Look at the timbered roof

Here's from the front angle. There's a pianist on the right.

And thus ends a VERY long day.

I just have to say I think Yosemite is my favorite national park. Wherever you go, there's a view and spectacular scenery.  However, it's been 50 years since I went to Yellowstone and I've never visited Grand Tetons. Guess those will be our next NP destinations.