In a place with a bank called Bank, a cafe called Cafe, and two restaurants called Restaurant, the old 49er town of Mariposa holds some charming treasures.  By the time we had showered up Saturday night after a very long day, we were starving and looking for a good meal.  At first we thought we’d be stuck eating at either Lounge or Restaurant, but then we passed by something of an anomily in Mariposa – Savoury’s Restaurant.  The place would’ve looked more natural in downtown San Francisco, but we were happy to find it!  And as delicious as dinner was, we all know that the most important start to any day (and especially this day) is a good breakfast!  Queue Sugar Pines Cafe (Diner).

This place has been completely renovated with all the old retro charm of a classic diner.  And it’s spotless.

We snagged a couple stools at the counter and were just tickled with the run of luck we’d had in this little town.

Chef is flipping my french toast as Lea’s flapjacks wait patiently for their turn.  Off screen and to the right, JP’s huevos simmer in anticipation for the great breakfast they’re about to become!  Oof!  Dynamite.  100% gun powder to a flame – our anticipation for the rest of the day was explosive! So after our mighty meals, we were off to take on Yosemite for Day 2!

I hear people say they won’t go to Yosemite if they have to stay an hour outside of the park (factoid: only 8% of Californians have been to Yosemite); to which I reply, “So what?!”  This is your view along the entire drive down Hwy 140.  The only pickle is…

You might get stopped at the only red light in Mariposa County.  And it’s a doozy.

Apparently back in ’98, strong rains caused a rock slide that covered about a mile stretch of the two lane highway.  Since then, there’s been a 12 year (and counting) detour that directs traffic over the river and onto a one lane road, under which there were once railroad tracks used to haul lumber out of Yosemite in the 1800s.  In order to prevent constant head on collisions between cars traveling in opposite directions, only one direction of traffic is allowed to pass at a time.  But like I said, the views… 🙂

There’s the slide.  You can faintly make out the white concrete retaining wall that marks the outside edge of the old highway.

Then it’s smooth sailin’!

Once we got back into the park on Sunday, I had to retake a lot of the same pictures I’d taken the day before because the sun was out and things were even more striking than before!

Our mission today was to explore farther into the park, toward Half Dome.

Since the hike we did yesterday was fairly flat, we wanted to gain some elevation and get closer to some of the big waterfalls.  The walk to Vernal Fall, and on to Nevada Fall, sounded just right.

JP brought his trusty walking stick he’d found the day before on our hike up the creek…

The hike up wasn’t too strenuous.  On a normal day, it probably would’ve been, but we just had so much extra energy to get to the falls that I didn’t even notice any of the fatigue I would’ve normally felt.  We speed walked our way practically to the top.  Tip: Because this is a popular route, get going as early as possible to avoid some of the slow pokes who start making their way up later in the day.  Yosemite can get very busy, and a lot of visitors aren’t used to hoofing it.  But we are!

Look at these two.  Barely breaking a sweat…

About 2 miles from where you park your car (and 500 ft of elevation gain), you come to the Vernal Falls bridge where you get your first glimpse of the great fall.

Up to this point, the trail is paved and clear of hazards (unless you consider slow pokes to be hazards, which I do).  But beyond this point, the pavement ends, the trail begins, and the number of fellow hikers on the trail starts to dwindle.

The next thing you know, you’re approaching a set of 600 stairs known as the Mist Trail.

 

They don’t call it Mist Trail for nuttin’, neither.  Beyond the point where this photo was taken, prepare to get wet.  You can see the spray in the background, as the fall slams into the ground below and sends water shrapnel flying.

Don’t be surprised if you see this as a Christmas card this year…

Again, I’m sorry about the video angle.  We’ll do better next time.

Naturally, the closer to the fall you get, the wetter it gets!  That can be particularly treacherous on wet granite.  In places, this was like walking up the middle of a wet creek bed.

Almost to the top…

We made it!

The top of Vernal Fall.

Don’t worry, this is a common pose for us.  We keep everything outside the clothes.

Above the fall, the Pacific Grey Squirrels show zero timidity.  In fact, they’re kind of cute…at first.

And there’s still much more to explore beyond the top of Vernal Fall, if you’re up to it.  The trail continues on to Nevada Fall, then Glacier Point, Half Dome, Clouds Rest and beyond.  The next landmark, however, is Emerald Pool, just a stone’s throw beyond the crest of the fall.

Just over my shoulder here is Nevada Fall.

As you follow the trail along the river in that direction, you pass what looks like might be kind of a fun water slide…

…Fun, were it not for the most severe water wedgie of your life as you get pummeled into Emerald Pool.

Just a few steps farther now and you’ll soon find yourself on an opening in the trees where you can sun yourself for heat on the warm granite.

 

 

We decided this would make a good lunch spot for the day.  And who should join us but one of those curious little squirrels.

It’s so rare you get the opportunity to interact with wildlife, Jerry just had to feed the little guy.

We had all the good stuff in our trail mix – cashews, peanuts, slivered almonds, and dried cherries, peaches and apricots.  He threw the nuts down his gullet like Takeru “Tsunami” Kobayashi (six-time hot dog eating champion), but he really liked to savor the sweet fruit.

Our little buddy was starting to get pretty comfortable with us.

Maybe a little TOO COMFORTABLE!  (Is this not the most hilarious thing you’ve seen all day? :))  What did you think was gonna happen Jerry?  He’s a wild animal!

Phew!  It took a while for our heart rates to slow down after that vicious attack.  Once we regained our composure, we decided to go up far enough to look over the next bridge and get a closer glimpse of Nevada Fall.

 

This is as close as we got.  We decided it was about time to head back so that we wouldn’t get home too late.  It’s a school night after all.  The next time we come out, it’s for Half Dome.

Turning back a little early also allowed us to take our time on the descent, which is good for me because I like to stop to take pictures!

Going slow also gave us time to take in some more of those amazing views.  Oh yeah, and you get wet all over again coming back down.

 

In this picture you can see all the little bodies making their way up the stairs.  Much busier later in the afternoon…

Not sure if this helps, but for perspective, this is looking west toward Yosemite Falls – near our starting point yesterday, which led us in the opposite direction from where this picture was taken.

Almost back to the car now and spirits are still high.

Back at the car, we decided we had enough time for one drink at the famed Awanhee Resort – the only hotel in the park.  Along the way, we got some great views of Half Dome.  I made Jerry pull over to let me take some pictures, even though he wasn’t supposed to.

Totally worth it…

Once at the hotel, we took a seat out on the patio to warm up in the sun, rest our barking dogs, and enjoy a couple cold ones.

Oh!  And this would’ve been helpful about an hour ago!

Remember this? 🙂

I didn’t catch the history on the hotel, but just by walking around, you can tell this place has a regal history.

I don’t have to tell you this was one hell of a trip.  It’s amazing what you can do with a spontaneous weekend in N. California!  Now back at home, I feel somehow changed by the experience – like I’m still connected to the park.  But I think that’s what’s supposed to happen.  After all, that’s why they call it Yosemite!

Cheers!