Today we got up early, after yesterday's taste of Yosemite, we could hardly wait to get there this morning. We checked outside, and the weather was a balmy 68 degrees with promises of the high 80's by the end of the day. As we started off, we were both in jeans jackets and it seemed warm enough. But we forgot that we had to climb from 3000 ft to 6200 ft as we entered the park and the temperature quickly dropped ton 53 degrees. Brrrrr. The sun came out stronger and the temp went back up as we came back down to 5000 ft.
     First stop was the Tunnel View Overlook as we came into the park   Just as you exit the southern tunnel, there is a place to stop and check out the view of the valley . It was a little foggy in the distance, but the valley was certainly beautiful below. We had passed by a bunch of Harley riders in the overlook above, and as we were checking out the Tunnel View, the thunder of Harley pipes could be heard loudly coming from the tunnel. Took a bunch of pictures, and continued on into the park.
      Next stop was Bridalveil Falls. For some reason, everywhere that has waterfalls seems to have a Bridalveil Falls. The hike was only a quarter mile, and you immediately saw the effect of this seasons drought. The Bridalveil Falls were still there, but they were just a thin wisp of a waterfall compared to the video we saw later at the Visitors Center. But they were still beautiful, and we always like visiting waterfalls. As we got on the bike, the traffic was beginning to pick up, so we thought we'd better head over to the Visitors Center before the parking lots filled up.
     We still made a few stops along the way at some of the lakes and meadows. By the time we made it to the Visitors Center, the parking lots were beginning to fill . Luckily, in an unmarked lot there's always one guy who parks just a little too close to his neighbor for another car to fit in, but just the perfect size for a motorcycle. Sure enough, it was just like they were saving a spot near the front just for us.
     The Yosemite Valley Visitors Center is right in the middle of Yosemite Village. Since this is a large and popular park, Yosemite Village is kind of the center of activity. It has a Post Office, Cafe, Deli, General Store, Museum, campgrounds and a lodge. The free shuttle service buses run throughout the park all day, so if you don't feel like walking you can always just take the free bus. We felt like walking, but the first place we headed was the theater to see one of the two 30-minute movies. The movie called Spirit of Yosemite was great, it showed how the park was started, and some of the great things to see.
     We visited around the Visitors Center, Museum, Cemetery, and Indian camp, before making our way over to the Yosemite Falls. The Yosemite Lower Falls is a short, easy hike and once we got there, Jody and I did what everyone else was doing, climbing around on the rocks and trying not to fall in the water . Everyone was having a good time, we stuck down near the base, while others were climbing much higher. There is actually a trail up to the top of the upper falls, but that is about a 4 hour hike and gos up a few thousand feet. A little too much effort for our short trip.
     There were plenty of hikes around the area, and we could see why this was such a popular park There are tons of planned activities, mostly free and family oriented and geared around the people staying in Yosemite Village. You could easily spend a week or more here and find plenty of things to do.
     It wasn't until we started to leave the Yosemite Falls area that we looked back and could see both the upper and lower falls in their full majesty. It is really a spectacular sight. Even though they are somewhat diminished by the drought, there is still plenty enough water to call them spectacular. As we headed back to the Visitors Center, we spotted a deer right next to us at the side of the path. Of course we stopped to take some pictures . Since it was getting lunchtime and we were getting hungry, we decided to stop at the cafe for a sandwich. The fresh made sandwiches n the deli looked great, but the line was a mile long. Pre-made sandwiches in the cafe would be just fine.
     When we finished lunch, it was just about 1:00 and time for the second 30-minute movie in the theater. This time it was a Ken Burns film on Yosemite, and it was excellent.    We always like the watch the Ken Burns stuff. We stopped at the bookstore and bought a couple of t-shirts before heading back to the bike. Back on the motorcycle, we finished the Yosemite Valley loop stopping at the remaining scenic overlooks. Especially after seeing pictures in the movies, we were anxious to get over to Glacier Point.
     Glacier Point is a 7200 ft peak south of the Yosemite Valley, that commands a view of the entire valley, waterfalls, meadows, peaks, everything from a single vantage point. It's so popular, that they even offer a free shuttle from Yosemite Village to Glacier Point and back . It's about 10 miles south of the valley, and at the end of about a 20 mile road. There is a hiking path, of course, called the 4-mile trail that cuts across the valley and climbs the mountain directly, but it's extremely strenuous.
     So we rode the Wawona Rd down to the Glacier Point road and headed out to the end. We got about 15 mile in, and stopped at the restroom at one of the overlooks. The road was very narrow, and not in particularly good shape, full of potholes and loose gravel. We were trying to decide whether to go the last few miles, especially since the road was going to narrow some more and have some steep switchbacks. I don't mind the steepness or the switchbacks, but I was getting a little nervous about rough roads, especially if the switchbacks were going to be on a steep edge without guardrails.
     Just as we were contemplating this, the shuttle bus stopped where we were and let people out back to their cars. It was going the wrong way for us, but if we waited a few minutes, there was sure to be one going the other way . So we chickened out and took the shuttle for the last 5 miles. Once we were on the shuttle, it was apparent that the road had been resurfaced just past where we were, and that all the switchbacks were inland, with only one sharp curve on the edge of a drop-off. We could've done it on the bike after all.
     Glacier Point was all it was cracked up to be and much more. The view from Glacier Point is really just breathtaking. From that height, you can really see all of Yosemite Valley and all the mountains around. You can see additional waterfalls, that would only be visible after a 4 hour hike to each one. If you see Yosemite, and don't see it from Glacier Point, then you really haven't seen Yosemite.
     The ride back to the hotel was easy from there, and we finally made it back around 6:00. For dinner, we had been looking forward to seafood from a local place called Crab Cakes. It looked pretty good, and we got a 15% discount by showing our hotel room key. So Crab cakes it was, for both of us. They were quite good, for west coast crab cakes, very tasty, but small, breaded, and fried. At least they gave us three along with rice and coleslaw and a bowl of stewed tomatoes. Josy liked the stewed tomatoes, I just gave it a pass. Someday, I'll have to take Jody to Maryland for some real Maryland Lump Crab Cakes!
     Tomorrow we are off to check out the Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Park. The Giant Sequoias of Mariposa Grove in Yosemite were closed being renovated, so we should be able to see some big trees tomorrow.

135.3 miles today
11,889.4 miles total

0.0 gallons today
284.941 gallons total