Road Trip to California!

Haylie graduated from High School!!! We took the opportunity to finally go to Fresno to visit.

We drove to Las Vegas the first day of our trip. We arrived early enough to let the kids check out New York, New York and The Bellagio.

 

After arriving in California Wednesday, we spent lots of time playing in J.D. and Alison's pool. We also visited a park and hunted toads.  

 

 

We had dinner and drinks at Tioga-Sequoia Brewing.

Haylie's graduation was Thursday night and we partied on Friday.

On Saturday morning, we drove to Yosemite National Park. Yosemite Valley is only about 2 hours from J.D.'s house!

Our first stop, Tunnel View as we drove into the Valley.

And then a quick hike to Bridalveil Fall. 

We entered the Valley early enough to get a parking space at the Visitor's Center. We packed a lunch and set off exploring the Valley for the day.  

Upper Yosemite Fall.

Upper and Lower Yosemite Fall

Eating lunch at the base of Yosemite Fall.

Walking across the meadow towards Sentinel Rock

Sentinel Rock

Views of Yosemite Fall, Half Dome, and North Dome from the Valley.

As the crowd started to leave Saturday night, we made it back to our car and checked in at Half Dome Village where we were staying in a permanent tent. The tent was exactly what we needed with access to a bathhouse, grocery store, food and wifi. We packed enough food for breakfast, lunch and snacks so just had to buy dinner out. There was a great pizza place in Half Dome Village and a Cafeteria. 

After dinner, we drove to Glacier Point for the sunset. Unfortunately, we underestimated how bad traffic would be leaving the Valley and how long it would take to drive the winding road up there. We made it just in time to see the sun set. 

Sunday morning, we left the Valley for the Tuolumne Grove of Sequoias. 

Sunday afternoon we decided to find a short hike to go on around the Valley. It took some convincing the kids but we ended up hiking to Vernal Fall via the John Muir and Mist Trails. 

Once we got to the base of Vernal Fall, there were a bunch of really steep stairs up to the top. Kellen thought this was so cool and raced up them, dragging Steve behind. Jae made it about half way up and got scared so we waited at the bottom. 

 

After a busy day of hiking, we ate dinner and chilled out in our tent Sunday night. I got up early for a run Monday before packing up and leaving Yosemite. 

 

Back on the road, heading to Vegas we stopped at some of our favorite west coast eateries.