Three Amigos Trip to Yosemite
There were three of us on this trip. This time we brought a doctor, Irv Herman, so if we had an unfortunate event, we had someone to put us back together. Fortunately, we all got through the trip in one piece. This was a four-day trip; the first two days we stayed at the Evergreen Lodge which is about thirty minutes from Yosemite Valley. On our first day of travel, we stopped at the Iron Door Saloon, Est. 1852, the oldest saloon in California. If you have not been there, you might consider going in to admire the dollar bills tacked on the ceiling and the other antiques (not the people) that grace the interior. They are entertaining in their own right. During the drive to Groveland, we all reminisced about the many adventures and memories we had had with our wives and friends over the previous decades.
Our next stop was to see the Hetch Hetchy Reservoir and Wapama Falls. Dick F and Dick L got about halfway to the falls and saw some very nice views; but time did not allow us to complete the entire six-mile round trip to Wapama Falls.
Back at the Evergreen Lodge, we checked in and found that the place was packed. The second evening at sunset, we were treated to a magnificent display of color as the sun set to the west.
On the third day, we entered Yosemite Valley and drove to see the Tunnel View. It is the classic view Ansel Adams photographed many years ago that all of you have seen. We checked in and got squared away. Dick F and L made the hike to Mirror Lake while Irv did a shorter hike, read and thought. This is a good place to do that. The next day we began a hike to Vernal Falls which Dick F completed as Dick L continued on to Nevada Falls. Dick Feaster brought his drone which he flew twice and did come home with, even though it had an encounter with a tree eating it near the river. The weather the entire four days was perfect for tourists. Those of you that have hiked can take vicarious pleasure in the views we were able to see.
The last day we spent in a less energetic manner enjoying the views of Yosemite Falls, Half Dome, El Capitan, and the beauty of the valley. The last night we had dinner at the Ahwahnee Hotel. The ambience of the hotel still exists but needing to pick up your meal 30 minutes after ordering it and eating it on paper plates takes away some of the mystique. Off we went to bed and check out the following morning. When we left the dining room the next morning there was a light sprinkling of rain which cleared to blue skies as we departed the park and returned to PVE.
