(Left)
Late summer of 1997, the Roberts Family, along with Penny's sister and her husband (Liz & Bill), went camping at Yosemite National Park. And we're not talking recreational vehicles here, we went TENT camping. Although it was a little rougher than we thought it would be (we had to move our camp after the first night), a good time was had by all.
The photo is of the magnificent "Half Dome"
(Right) El Capitan and the Three Brothers make a great backdrop for the Roberts Family. This picture was taken from the scenic turnout just east of the Wawona tunnel. As you're driving towards the Yosemite Valley from the south you drive through a long tunnel. When you come out of the tunnel, WOW! this is the view you get.
(Left) Penny, Scott and Heidi (the dog) standing in front of the "Grizzly Giant" redwood tree in Yosemite. This tree is over 2700 years old, over 200 feet tall, has a base diameter of 27.6 feet and is still growing.
We had to hike a long, busy trail to get to this tree, and as you can probably guess, a lot of people were staring and commenting about the dog in the baby carrier. Many people were from other countries, but even I know what they're talking about when I see them point and say "hound".
(Right) An uprooted giant redwood (The "Massachusetts Tree", 280 feet long and 28 feet in diameter) provides the background for this picture of Liz, Rachel & Josh. All of these giant Sequoia trees are part of the "Mariposa Grove of Big Trees" located in the south end of Yosemite near Wawona.
(Left) Ah, the perfect spot for fishing. Of course, the water was very cold and there were no bites all day, but who cares when you're surrounded by such beauty. This little spot was just feet from our campground (Wawona campground in the south part of Yosemite.) That's me (Scott) on the rock fishing and Rachel in the water. (Ignore the date on the picture, SOMEONE doesn't know how to set the date on their camera. ;-)
(Right) Liz (Penny's sister) and Penny take a much deserved rest in the middle of a beautiful stream (the south fork of the Merced River.)
(Right) This photo is of Penny's sister Liz, and her husband Bill. In the background you see El Capitan on the left and The Three Brothers on the right.
(Left) This is another photo of El Capitan and The Three Brothers. This time you see Penny, Rachel and Josh standing on the rocks in the middle of the river. Just after this photo was taken, Rachel slipped and fell into the water. It's not a fast or deep river at this point, so nothing was harmed except her pride. It's quite a magnificent view!
(Right) Another photo of the Roberts' Family. This photo was taken along the Merced river that flows through the Yosemite Valley.
One day we all drove down into the Yosemite Valley. We visited the Yosemite Lodge which is an old, very stately Lodge/Hotel. The grounds are beautiful and this photo shows the view from the back of the lodge.
(Right) This is a photo of almost everyone taking a rest on the trail to Bridalveil Falls. That's Rachel, Bill, Liz, Josh, Scott and Heidi (in the baby carrier)
(Left) This is a photo of Joshua and Rachel standing in front of Bridalveil Falls. When we were there the water flow was very low. During peak times of the year, there's a lot of water going over these falls.
(Right) This is one of the biggest Sequoia trees in the world. It sits just off the road and I had to run real fast to get in the picture after I pressed the shutter on the camera.
(Left) At nighttime we all gathered around the campfire for conversation and fresh popped popcorn. Maybe it was the popping over an open fire, maybe it was the popping device, maybe it was just the great outdoors, but we all agreed this was the best popcorn we had ever had. In the photo you see Bill, Josh (seated), Scott, Penny and Rachel. Liz took the photo.
(Right) One morning some of the local deer decided they liked our camp too. They were real curious about us and I'm sure they are used to being fed in the campgrounds. Here, you see Rachel and Josh in their bicycle helmets feeding one of the deer.
(Left) As you can see, their fear of humans took second place to their hunger for our food. Bill has to reach our far, but the deer gets it's carrot!
(Right)
A beautiful pine stands alone overlooking the Yosemite Valley at the Olmsted Point scenic turnout.
Penny and I have visited this tree many times over the years, and it's always breathtaking.
(Left) This gnarly pine has been around for a long time. It is also at the Olmstead Point scenic turnout where you can overlook the Yosemite Valley and see Half Dome. Rachel and Joshua just had to climb it.
(Right) When we were done camping, we drove through Yosemite and over Tioga Pass to Mammoth Lakes. We stayed in a motel in town and visited some of our old haunts with the kids. (Penny and Scott have been going to Mammoth for about 17 years now.)
This photo shows Joshua standing on the bridge between the two Twin Lakes just above the town of Mammoth Lakes, California. The wind was blowing and it was COLD!
