There was a choice at breakfast this morning - $10 for a continental or $18 for the buffet. So I went for the continental and they had peanut butter as a spread! Something savoury, finally. Did the mandatory GLAD bagging of a savoury and a banana for morning and afternoon tea.
Back in my room, I was just getting my bag ready and there's a knock at the door. It's 7:27. We're due at the bus at 7:30 so I'm good for time cos the bus is literally ten seconds up a corridor and out the door. But here's Joan at my door, hustling me up and almost scolding me for not being on time. But I still have three minutes to spare! I will get to the bus at least ten minutes early from now on.
And we're off down the mountain.
I had a bit of a walk around last night and felt like I'd had 40 cigarettes in a row. Discovered later that we're about 8,000 feet up here, so no wonder.
Was hoping that tomorrow would pass by without acknowledgement but as we leave this morning, they've just announced a 56-year wedding anniversary and a 50th birthday today so I'm guessing mine will be announced tomorrow. (Not 50, just the birthday)... (Cos I'm not 50).
First stop of the day, quite pretty, overlooking a lake. I asked Joan the name of this place and she said, "Mobil Restaurant." As in the Mobil petrol station. Excellent...
Yosemite means 'grizzly bear'. Though I did find some speculation on this on Mr Google. It was the second national park. Yellowstone was first. There used to be a lot of Indians living here but they were pushed out. All the grizzlies were killed too. There are only black bears here now. Love this wildlife info...
We're driving into Inyo national park, Sierra is on the other side. They can (and did, obviously) close the roads when they're dangerous because of weather, rocks falling or when politicians are stupid.
Up and towards the Tioga Pass, which is quite massive and beautiful. We drive along a road that is above the tree line.
Past Lake Ellery (or Elliott). Yes, that is snow.
Stop at Lake Tioga.
And then into Yosemite! Hurrah!!
We stop at a lookout and take a steep and rocky walk to a spot that overlooks the whole valley. Magnificent, picturesque and awesome...
As we were coming back, we spied, up on a very mild outcrop, the elderly lady with her cane walking with the bus driver, Mick, and he was helping her down. She obviously couldn't do the path we went down but wanted to have a look at what she could. Very sweet to see.
Just realised my glasses are broken and I'm guessing I'm not going to find the little pin anywhere. Good thing I brought the spare pair. And later in the day, the lens fell out.
Check this view of the Merced Valley.
Stopped at a place called Tunnel View - gorgeous. El Capitan on the right - people hike there! And round to Bridalveil Falls on the right. There's not much water in the waterfalls (boo) because it's been a dry season and there wasn't enough rain.
We stop at Yosemite Lodge for a couple of hours. I start up towards Yosemite Falls, which are also dry. Still beautiful though. I will come back here in the spring one day, for sure. Amazing trees...
The black line on the cliff is where the waterfall would be falling...
Amazing views. As I was walking, I realised that I had read and taken note of what to do if I encounter a mountain lion but not what to do if I encounter a black bear. So let's hope...though I wouldn't mind seeing one.
Fall is here, and Lake Merced.
Stop for lunch then went down the other way to find the Swinging Bridge. Not sure why it's called that - it doesn't swing.
And I just like this photo. And I'm thinking I like shots with water...
Then back on the bus.
We're out of Yosemite and through where the Gold Rush was in the 1880s. People came from everywhere - from the east, blacks from the south, Indians from the reservations, Chinese from Asia. The blacks and the Indians weren't allowed to mine and were sent back. The Chinese, who had taken up to a year to get here, couldn't go home and most returned to San Francisco and formed Chinatown - one of the largest - setting up restaurants and laundries. Levi Strauss was one of the early gold diggers. He created denim jeans.
Went past an avalanche that covered the road and they can't clear cos it's too unstable. They have build a new one-way bridge instead. You can sort of see the avalanche here - taken from the moving bus.
Through Mariposa, which became a ghost town after the gold rush. Apparently there are lots of them around. Though now they tourist attractions and so are no longer ghost towns...
It looked quite thriving, in fact.
Last stop before Modesto is the Merced Fruit Barn where they have goats and sheep, pigs and turkeys and emus, randomly. They sell fresh fruit and nuts and ice cream. I got coffee and almond fudge ice cream.
Then to the Doubletree in Modesto. Everyone who stays at a Doubletree gets a cookie, apparently. So once in my room, I brew up a coffee and have a cookie. One thing I'm loving about being on the bus is that I'm literally writing this as it all happens so I'm all up to date.
I did notice, in the foyer, an ad for Stomp for this weekend. I decide to have a wander down and see if they have any cheap seats. Bit dodgy on the wander down, but they have $20 tickets in the balcony. I figure I can get a taxi back the three blocks and so, buy a ticket. The girl at the box office asks me where I'm from. Next question - "Why Modesto?" I did explain that it's part of the tour.
Pop in to a pub over the road for a quick bite. And then back to this lovely theatre for the show.
The show is great. I have seen Stomp soooo many years ago and forgotten how clever and how funny it was. For those who don't know, Stomp is all percussion - six guys and two girls with brooms, matchboxes, newspapers, even kitchen sinks, drumming. And it's very funny - the guy who doesn't get any sand out in front if him for the soft shoe or the guy who uses newspapers as muscles and then breasts and dances like a girl. And it's so clever - they are amazingly talented and work hard for 90 minutes.
The audience has a lot of young people in it and they seem to enjoy it a lot. They have a clap-along, which they all enjoy and hoot and holler. The audience has the feel of one that likes the theatre and really enjoys it when it comes to town.
It's a great show and I then decide to walk. I can see the hotel just three blocks away and I have mastered the art of walking just a few paces in front of groups of people. If one group turns off, I meander over to another group or couple and walk in front of them. The red light is my friend during these walks, I can catch up to another group or join a different one. And so I get back fine. Book a wake-up call cos my alarm is being a bit dodgy.
No comments:
Post a Comment