The Way to Yosemite

We headed for Lake Tahoe to spend a couple of days since we were so close. Tahoe is a favorite place of mine. We stayed in South Lake Tahoe, the California side. The plan was to go on the Heavenly gondola. Of course, the top of the mountain had lightening so they closed the gondola. Fortunately, it was before we bought the ticket because there are no refunds.  The weather at lake level stayed sunny except for a brief shower.  Guy finished the night at one of the casinos.

After Tahoe, we moved on to Columbia a pit stop on the way to Yosemite. We spent the day in the old town, Guy panned for gold but he didn't strike it rich. We checked out the stores and buildings. We spent more time there than I expected but it was a good day.

From here it was a hop, skip, and a jump to Yosemite. Actually it was a monstrous road that  wound its way up and up the mountain. We did make it to our campsite and spent 3 days in Yosemite.

Lake Tahoe is such a great place

the colors are so vibrant

Heavenly gondola and shopping area

cookies at the Toll House shop

the sky and the clouds are  so amazing

the area around Tahoe is so beautiful

scenery near Tahoe

old stagecoach through town

Guy was patiently panning for gold

the bowling alley in the old mining town of Columbia

the bridge over Tuolumne River

a winery in Columbia, California

the river was far below

we went to see the sunset

the road in Hetch Hetchy, an upper area in Yosemite

it was after dark and on a narrow main road so everyone was a little nervous taking this photo

Lassen Volcanic National Park

We left the California coast heading for Lassen Volcanic National Park. It was s long trip, over 250 miles.  In RV time that is at least 7 hours.  We arrived at our campground after the office had closed. The campground was closed when we arrived. It was creepy, eerie sort of Friday the 13th feeling. Most of the sites were empty. The wildfires were in the area.  Many campers had canceled. We found out later that the campgrounds had been evacuated about 3 days prior. It worked out well for us. We had s lot more space than normal. We had planned on leaving Ripley at the trailer but as a precaution we took him with us to the park. We were not able to hike far from the car but Lassen was still beautiful.

on the way to Lassen Volcanic Volcanic National Park

river the rode follows to Lassen Volcanic National Park

deserted Rancheria RV Park

enjoying "our" lake

this was a really nice park with only 15 spots taken the first day we were there

he has this posed mastered

Mazanita Lake

so many rocks in this area

Lake Helen with Lassen Peak in the background

amazing how these rocks landed

the main road through LVNP

Emerald Lake

 

taking a siesta at Summit Lake

the south end of Summit Lake

the peak of Lassen Peak

Lake Helen so pretty

 climbing to the top of Lassen Peak

Emerald Lake wonder why they named it that

Lake Helen a few feet to the right

the campground office after closing time
 

The Redwoods

entering the town

Our first stop in California was Redwood National Park.  Those trees are amazing so big around, so high up and so old. We were very close to Klamath River, the Pacific ocean, the trees of mystery and many more beautiful places.  The weather was cooler but foggy. You can't feel bad about that because the Redwoods need the moisture in the fog. One place we ate was the Forest Cafe. I figure it is a cheap version of Rainforest Cafe and it was but there was a lake area which was really funny.  Look for the pictures below. While in the park, we went to the beach. This involved an eight mile dirt road journey down a cliff, a walk past a herd of elk out to the cold ocean. The ocean views from top of the cliffs were wonderful when you could see it.                                                                              

Fern Canyon in Redwood park, 50feet in height 5 types of fern

selfie in Fern Canyon (is it still a selfie if there are 2 people?)

California coast at the mouth of the Klamath River

the mouth of the Klamath River

 

Klamath River

Paul Bunyan and Babe the blue ox chain saw carvings at Trees of Mystery

the flowers here were gorgeous, geraniums and nasturguims

the ceiling and wall at the Forest Café ducks swimming, bobbers, fish, peoples feet...

the painting on the wall

the Redwoods go up and up and up

they had 5 barrels all with healthy nasturguims

the geraniums, all red, every 8 feet

the Forest Café ceiling a boat, more duck feet

you feel small beside these massive trees

even the truck looks little

so tall, make sure to look at this full screen to get a better effect

the Redwood Forest...



the dirt on the road went up about 15 feet

a new type of wildflower

the clear waters of the creek in Fern Canyon

while we were there, a photographer was taking pictures of a bride

it does make a wonderful backdrop

standing on the beach

pelican swooping in for a snack

herd of elk near the beach

water falling down the canyon

a nice rack

looking up at the Redwoods

standing inside the tree

we were told the Country Club had great burgers,  and they did

dollar bills hung all over

when the sun and the fog were just right you could see the beautiful color of the water

but it wasn't always like that

this family tree had 12 trees growing from it, cam you see them?

nature's tunnel

the Cathedral, many marriages occur here

"the redwoods" written by John Strauss, builder of the Golden Gate Bridge

do you see the difference in the Paul Bunyan pictures? Ripley is in this one

the path from Battery Lighthouse, high tide is coming, part of the path is covered

climbing up the ladder to the light

the light and the lighthouse keeper (is he not the epitome of keepers?)

Battery Point Lighthouse in Northern California

Ripley is confused, National and State Park???

 

they are so majestic