After Sequoia National Park, we planned to drive to the South entrance of Yosemite National Park. Because it had snowed in the mountains the night before, I called the park to see what driving was possible without 4-wheel drive or tire chains. Good thing I called, because the road we were going to take was closed and we re-routed through a town called a Mariposa, where we found the Miner's Inn Motel with a jacuzzi tub and gas-powered fireplace. After the cold, the rain and kicking our own asses hiking, those things were awesome. This would be our home for 2 nights as we spent a couple days in Yosemite.

Yosemite is a 1-hour drive from the hotel, but for most of the drive, you feel like you're already in the park. The colors, the trees, the rocks and the water on this winding drive were gorgeous. As we finally entered the park, we came around a curve and our mouths dropped open at the sight of Bridal Veil Falls. This waterfall was flowing and spectacular! The Spring weather is unpredictable, but it's perfect for full waterfall effect.

A visit to the Visitor's Center (my personal favorite place to stop at any park because I like to have the overview and it drives Kasia crazy) reveals that we are in luck....the road that was closed the day before is now open and we can drive to see the giant sequoia trees. Ya! Kasia would say, "It was meant to be." A long and winding drive and a short hike takes us to these enormous trees.

The next day we returned to Yosemite to hike a waterfall trail. It was rated as "moderate" but I think that meant "if you hike regularly, you can likely do it without crying." We climbed and climbed and took breaks and after about 2 hours, we called it quits and turned back. Kasia still giggles at my moment of clarity and desperation when I said "What are we doing this for?" It still is not as funny to me as it is to her.

Grand Canyon was amazing, but there was just something about Yosemite to me. I'm not sure I've even seen something so gorgeous.

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