Yosemite

After hiking around the redwood forests, we hopped back into the car and took off for Yosemite. We had peanut butter and nutella sandwiches and oranges for lunch. My lap has looked like this for a thousand lunches along the way.

I adore the style of bright, vintage California signs.

For dinner, we followed the angelic voices and heavenly glow to the very first In-N-Out in our path. It was GLORIOUS.

We witnessed a magnificent California sunset just before we pulled into our camp.

Bright and early the next day, we entered Yosemite National Park.

We realized when we tried to get to the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias and every parking lot was FULL, that this was not going to be an easy day. We had to back track 4 miles and take a shuttle.

The kids were tired from all the fun we've been having, but still in good humors while we waited for our bus. 

The sequoias are big trees, but I enjoyed the prehistoric setting of the Redwood Forests more.

And then we started walking. It was a long, crowded, dusty, hot, sweaty, gritty, dry, thirsty, rocky, steep, difficult and miserable hike. 

This is a tired, dusty foot that wore a Dansko because I didn't realize this was going to be such a difficult day.

When we finally reached the end of the walk and a drink of water, the mood picked back up.

Everyone was very relieved we took the easier road back. 

We couldn't leave Yosemite fast enough. Back at camp, an intense game of Go Fish ensued. 

My favorite Yosemite picture: