14 - Yosemite to Las Vegas

Last Tuesday (9/07/10), we finally made our turn eastward from the Pacific coast to Yosemite National Park, CA.  The day we arrived was sunny with temp's just right.  Wednesday, which was our first day to visit the park, was overcast and misty.  Big bummer.  We spent the day going to Yosemite Valley.  It was beautiful... just too many people for Paul again. 

I believe Yosemite is one of the most splendid national parks in the U.S.  It has some of the largest pieces of granite in the world.   Its sequoia trees (cousins of the Redwoods) live to about 2,000 years; there are three groves of them in the park (last in the world).

Monkey visits Yosemite

In the middle distance - famous Half Dome

A little waterfall

A sequoia's imitation of Medusa

In and around

El Capitain - The biggest chunk of granite in the world

A different view of El Cap

A fledgling with its own mind

We decided to leave Yosemite on Thursday since we had to drive the Tioga pass road anyway to go into Nevada.  Paul's hands were like ice that morning while getting the camper ready to pull.  (We are avoiding Florida's summer heat after all.)

Totally different view of Half Dome

Glacier scrubbing action

Leaving California for Nevada

Just another gorgeous sequoia to admire

VEGAS, baby!  OK, so it wasn't what Paul thought it would be.  The very first day, we got sucked into a time-share promotion.  At least we got two free dinner and show tickets (= about $200 and 3 hours of our time).  We went to dinner together.  Then he did his thing, and I went to see Vegas - The Show.  Great musical about Las Vegas's history from the 1940's to present.  Hot here.  100 today.  Escaping Florida's what???

My personal favorite - the Bellagio with fountains

Sunday we visited Hoover dam.  It is so huge that even when there, it's hard to realize the scale.  The new highway going around the dam is as awesome as the internet pictures.  Security is tight.

Til next week, when we're in the Grand Canyon.....