Joys - Yosemite, by Joe

All of my life, I figured the hype about Yosemite was just that. I have seen so many things that people had blown up to status beyond belief, only to discover a disappointing letdown. I was excited to see the park for my first time, but I held back a bit (I've mentioned that I'm a big kid, right?). To my enormous pleasure, I was awed by the astounding visuals before we ever got into the park. Our first overlook was of the Merced River POUNDING down through the rocks with foam and fury and power that made my hair stand on end. I was in awe of the beauty of it all.

There were also amazing waterfalls, and lakes, and rocks, and half-dome...I have to admit that the hype was true. If it were possible to get a campsite inside the park, I could stay there for a month with no complaints.

And my happy family...

I had to do the "fireman's carry" to get Koen across this newly made wading pool. The water was WAY cold...he started out walking with Kira (above) but couldn't take the water temp anymore.

The views from Glacier Point were amazing, too!

We even stopped to play in the snow...my kids see it very seldom.

...and THESE crazy sons-of-guns were several thousand feet up El Capitan preparing to sleep for the night. We saw a group of people standing out in a meadow looking up at the rock...went over and asked what they were doing. They were using their binoculars to watch the dudes climbing around on the rock. When I asked them to give me a reference so I could use my camera, they laughed and said that I wasn't going to see anything with THAT little camera. Well, the pics aren't wonderful, but they're not bad, either! When I showed the first guy a snap, he was amazed! It was funny, after listening to his smugness in laughing at my camera.

I am now a believer...Yosemite really is a beautiful place. I really want to get a campsite inside the park, but have no idea how to do that. We tried the online system (supposedly the "best way to get a campsite". Mara was on a computer at home and I was on TWO computers at work. When the system opened at seven am, we both tried to get sites. When the first attempt failed, I backed out to try another. ALL OF THE SITES WERE GONE!!! It took literally 3 seconds for every site in Upper Pines campground to be booked. That is just crazy. If any of you know a secret way to get a site, I would really appreciate your sharing it with me...even if I have to leave the travel trailer at home and sleep in a tent.