Passing through San Fran to Northern California

Leaving Sierra National Forest was with mixed emotion.  I would have loved to have more time with my new friends and I also wanted to stay a day or two longer to do some fishing on Bass Lake, but there was a reservation on my space and no others were availabel.  So, I headed out for the Pacific Coast Highway, Route 1 with the hope of new adventure in mind.  The Pacific Ocean on my left and a beautiful day in front of me actually left me somewhat frustrated towards the end of the evening, when I found myself hunting for a camping space.  I fianlly found Samuel Taylor State park for one night at the very expensive price of $33.00.  I am going to have to talk to Arnold about his raising the prices here in California.  Next stop will definately be another National Park.  Actually I am in Whiskeytown National Recreation Area right now and only paying $7.00 a night.  That entry to follow.  Enjoy a few snaps along the way here.  TC...

                                   You've got to love the Golden Gate.

                                                           

Post Script to Yorsemite and Sierra National Forest

I have always said that it is the people I meet along the way that are as much of the whole traveling experience as the sights that I see.  Well my camping neighbors in the Sierra National Forest and Spring Cove campground proved that statement to be so very true.  I had the good fortune to meet four married couples and their kids from the California town of Santa Barbara.  They are all friends that met at the church they were attending and share the love of camping.  I was invited to join them for dinner and a wonderful evening of laughter and interesting conversation. I will always remember Judy's "What If" question game now only as Judy's game.  And Debbie's laugh will be always be imprinted in my memory as part of what I found so interesting about Yosemite.
Rob, when you figure out the internet please let me know too.  I enjoyed our converstion very much.  Glad I am not the only one wondering about that and other things too.
Thank you all for accepting me, if even for only one evening of great fun.  Thanks Debbie and Rob, Judy and Dennis, Beth and Rich and Jill and Will. And Ashely, keep saving your money for that car.  I think you will have to beat the boys off with a stick.  Good luck with that Beth and Rich.  Enjoy a few pictures.  TC..

                                                      

Yosemite National Park, California

                                                           
Yosemite is probably our most famous National Park.  That is why the park was extremely crowded, and again as in Sequoia, the roads were in disrepair. There were long waits for traffic to pass on the opposite side of the road, but, all good things are worth waiting for, so, all in all it was not too bad.
The campgrounds were full, but also as in Sequoia, I lucked out and found a beautiful spot in the Sierra National Forest bordering the entrance to the park.  Bass Lake is a popular vacation spot for locals and out of towners alike. I was fortunate to get a great location with my own private "living room" of table and fire ring.  My usual routine is to set up and see the park the next day or two depending on how long I intend to stay. That is exactly what I did this time too.
What can be said about the beauty and magnificance of Yosemite?  John Muir said it best; " It is by far the grandest of all the special temples of Nature I was ever permitted to enter."  Enjoy some pictures.  TC...

       Snow in the upper elevations of Yosemite is very common.     

Half Dome.

                                                                                                                                                                                                              

                                                                

Sequoia National Park, California

From Death Valley to Sequoia National Park is a healthy ride of over 300 miles through some obscure desert towns that have gone the wayside by our failing economy.  Mining towns that have had better days, although, beautiful, hot and dry landscape that finally brought me to my destination.  Unfortunately there was no room at the inn so to speak and as luck would have it I found a great little private campground a few miles from the entrance to the park.  Actually it was several miles of winding, twisty roads that leads up to the park.  Roads that were under repair, as most of out national parks seem to be. Budget cuts.  The Sequoia trees are not to be believed until you see them for yourself.  Enjoy some photos.  TC...

                                       Yes, I was holding it up, what of it?

                                                 Goiter problem!

My motto, slow down...and enjoy...

Moro Rock.