7-8-17

I woke up just around 6:00 and we were all up by 7:00 for breakfast.  We drove south to the east side of Pinnacles National Park and by 9:30 it was already in the 90's. We took a short hike of about 2 miles because of the heat and then returned to the visitor center for junior ranger and to make an early lunch. 

We then headed east towards Yosemite. It was over 100 degrees in the valleys between the coastal mountains and the Sierras. It was a long drive but nice to see some of the same terrain we covered in 2008 without the snow we had back then. Unfortunately for the rest of the family, I didn't get to show them the Mariposa Grove which is closed for restoration. I saw it last time I was in California and I know we will return eventually and they will get to be awed by the trees like I was. We drove towards the valley stopping at the iconic overlook of half dome and El Capitan but took the Tioga Road across the park. In 2008, this road was closed for the winter so we were really awed and amazed to see the sites. Our original plan had been to take this road through to go to Devils Postpile on the other side but due to the heavy snow and some washouts on the road, that park is closed until they figure out how to make the road safe. So we took our time going across, stopping to marvel at the smooth tops of the mountains, the flooded creeks, the fields of boulders, the deer munching in the meadows and to play in the snow. 

Out of the park, we headed south to Bishop for a burger at a local brewery and relaxing in the hotel.