RJ goes to Yosemite

Finally!

Three and a half years ago on our first trip to California for a conference, we had planned a trip to Yosemite. That trip got derailed when Cheryl was diverted to Turlock to interview for some sorta teaching gig at a state school. At long last we chose a weekend for a camping trip to Yosemite National Park. It is only a 3 hour drive after all and was a free weekend to boot.

We considered this trip more of an orientation to Yosemite since we weren't really ready to do any hard core hiking. Even with the little we tried to do, RJ wanted to be held rather than walk himself and he's getting rather heavy for the backpack we have.

Camping was a big hit with RJ. He got a kick out of sleeping in a tent in a sleeping bag, at least at night. Naps were a complete mess because the tent was too hot and because he thought the sleeping bags were more fun to get in and out of and roll around on, which basically meant that we did a lot of driving in Yosemite so he would get a nap and not be a complete brat all afternoon and evening. He entirely loved playing in the dirt and sand with his digger and dumptruck. I think he also appreciated the lack of bathing involved too! For most of the trip, he had dirt everywhere.

On Friday, we mostly just drove there and set up camp just outside Yosemite at the Summerdale Campground in the Sierra National Forest.

On Saturday, we explored the Southern portion of Yosemite until dinner time.

We took a short hike through the Mariposa Grove of Big Trees until RJ declared that he needed to go potty just before we got to see the California Tunnel Tree. At that point, going back to see it wasn't happening. Maybe next time we'll get farther and get to see more of the big trees.

Afterward, we visited the Pioneer Yosemite History Center in Wawona, where we saw some historical pioneer buildings and most notably watched a blacksmith making stuff. I think RJ's favorite part was peeking into the houses and seeing the horses in their yard though.

Then after lunch from the Wawona General Store, we drove (after an aborted tent nap back at the campsite) to Glacier Point for some site seeing of Half Dome. Someday we'll be in shape enough to hike it to the summit, but for now seeing it will have to do.

On Sunday, we spent the morning packing up the campsite and then drove North to Yosemite Valley to see what all the hype was about (since that's where most people go when they visit Yosemite). What we discovered is that it's generally where the civilization portion of Yosemite is, as well home to some pretty incredible scenery, which gave poor pregnant Cheryl the itch to climb again. I think she's already picked out RJ's climbing gear for next summer. El Capitan has some incredible sheer walls of rock that jut out from the valley floor, which also contains the Merced River. We ate lunch at the Yosemite Lodge Food court and then took a nice dip in the Merced River at Sentinel Beach. RJ was a little afraid of the water after he tripped and fell face first into it, all while holding Cheryl's hand, but we quickly got him back in to enjoy the gold-flecked water.




In the future, we're thinking that we'll need more of a specific plan to include some hikes and that perhaps group camping is a better option for camping with kids. Setting up the tent can be mostly done by one person, except for one step, which requires 2. Cooking dinner over a fire also sort of requires 2 people - one to prepare the food and the other to start the fire. Neither activity leaves an extra person to help occupy the toddler in a brand new and exciting environment, which would keep him out of the street, woods, or neighboring campsites.