Granite, waterfalls and Redwood

it takes some enlightenment and the distancing of one’s self from the English way of reading words to correctly say this name - yo•se•mi•te.

it also takes about 4 hours to drive from my sister’s home in Bakersfield through scenic hills and gut-churning, cliff-hugging roads to get to this awesome and grand display of granite, waterfalls and redwood.

the end of the tunnel that opens to this awesome view

"Speechless" aptly describes the first-timer upon exiting this tunnel and this is for the simple reason that no words can say of the grandeur and beauty that is yosemite. this is also the excuse for why some of the photos here are not explained or described.

the "Bridal veil" falls

 a closer view

 the "Yosemite" falls

 a closer view

 the "half dome" 

road-side parking was full and so were restos and

restrooms that people had to queue for food or 

bladder and colon relief

inspired - that's what we were

after checking our dwindling foodstuff in 

the cooler we decided to make a run for the nearest

town outside of yosemite for lunch

we found this small diner at groveland (PJ's Cafe and pizzeria)...

 had our fill of american food at 9 - 12$ per plate

the driver of this rig was also helping himself to

lunch when we dropped by.

This trip through Yosemite National Park was just a detour from Bakersfield to San Francisco. if time allowed we could have trekked to the summit of half dome at Rodel's invitation. That should happen in the near future, God-willing.