Crossing the Golden Gate Bridge

Vacaville is about an hour from San Francisco so we decided to spend at least some of the day in the city. We began with the best Motel breakfast so far. The make your own waffles could be covered in strawberries or blue berries or a whole lot of other less healthy options. They were yummy.

We had a relaxed start and spend some time in Walmart before we set off for SF. Yes we got a few bargains at Walmart. For our day in San Francisco we had decided we would drive over the bridge, so we drove around the top of the harbour and then onto the freeway which eventually crosses the bridge. To get a good view we drove up on to the Marin Headlands. This meant fighting for a parking space. The biggest difference was after a week of being hot we had to find jackets and jerseys to combat the cold. The fog was also doing its best to cover the bridge pylons. Still it was good to get a different view point. Then we drove across. Aimee took lots of photos while David concentrated on the traffic. We had to pay the toll on line later. Expensive at $7-50.

Golden Gate Bridge from Marin Headlands

Our next stop Lombard street, the world's most curved street. This was easy to get to you as the 101 goes along Lombard Street for a while. It was fun to drive down but hard to get a photo.

We then found a place to park. After the first 15 minutes it cost $3 for 15 minutes. Who would have a car in this city?

We caught the trolley car around the embarcadero almost all the way around to Union Square. These Street Cars are beautifully restored. We bought some rolls from Walgreens and found a seat in the sun in Union Square. Very pleasant. Then we explored Britex fabrics. This is an amazing four stories of all sorts of fabric. Nothing purchased today however.

In car park at Golden Gate Bridge

Back on a street car we went on a return journey as far as the ferry building. David and Aimee spend some time in the great bookshop there before we caught the trolley again back to our car. O the pain of paying the parking!!

On the way to our motel near the airport we went to the Painted Ladies. These are the brightly painted and beautifully restored houses featured in the opening credits of "Full House". There were lots of people there but we got a great car park. No charge for this one. Amazing how television turns an area into an attraction.

Google maps informed us it would take 30 minutes to get to the motel. This seemed impossible as for ages we were stuck in very slow jam packed roads. However it was right, the roads freed up and we covered 20+ miles as predicted.

We had dinner in the restaurant over the road. We had the Greek options. They were very good. This was our last night before going to Texas so quite a bit of time was spend packing our bags. Yes it did all fit, even with all the shopping. And a great finish to a great day, the bed at Days Inn was the most comfortable yet.

Painted Ladies

Lets go shopping

We slept better on our second night at Lake Tahoe even though the mattresses were old and very uncomfortable. We got away by 9am heading for Vacaville. Lake Tahoe is over 6000 feet so this meant a long time of going down. It would have been a great road to cycle. Traffic was light through the mountains, but once we got on the flat and closer to Sacramento then the number of lanes and the volume of cars and trucks increased. Through Sacramento itself it was very busy.

Interesting Sculptures Lake Tahoe

We were going to Vacaville as it is home to a very large outlet mall. We arrived about 11-15am and found ourselves parked close to the Gap Store. This proved to be a great place for bargain hunting. We spent almost an hour there and then went back again later in the afternoon.

For lunch we went to Taco Bell, bought three special meals and ended up with more than we could eat. It was just as good as we remembered. At around 4pm we were getting worn out. It was a very hot day when we were outside the stores. So we went and booked in to the Motel, a Best Western. It was just around the corner. It was good to rehydrate, cool down and rest our feet.

Pancake Stack at IHOP

For dinner we walked across the road to IHOP [International House of Pancakes]. Lynda and I had pancake stacks. Aimee was much more responsible with her order.

We headed back to the outlet mall after dinner and made a few more purchases. All i all it was a very successful day. David bought the cheapest pair of jeans in California at the Levi's shop $8.08.

A day at Lake Tahoe

After five busy days in National Parks today was a chance to slow down and catch up. Lynda and I didn't sleep all that well as the mattress was hard and uncomfortable. Still there was a bonus I was awake early and managed to complete four days of this blog and to deal with some work e-mails.

Breakfast is provided so around 8-30am we headed off for waffles and bagels. Simple but not bad to begin the day. We also had quite a bit of laundry to do, but were beaten to the key. The system here is to pay $5 an hour for the key and to be able to use the washer or dryer without having to find coins. Initially we thought we would wait for the key, but not knowing how long we might need to wait we searched for a coin laundry and google maps took us there.

Lakeside Beach, South Tahoe

Within an hour we had everything washed and dried and Lynda had done some shopping in a neighbouring store. We came back to the motel to drop of our now clean clothes and then drove around the corner to the beach. We get free access with our room, otherwise it was $5 each.

We found a seat and soaked up some sun, until at lunch time we used a table in the shade of a tree. In between we watched the activity on the lake and on the beach. Tahoe is a large lake, it is 72 miles around, is sounded by a ring of mountains on which there are several ski fields. The water is so clear that a white plate can be seen at 75 feet.

Lakeside Beach, South Tahoe

Just before 2pm we decided to go to another part of the lake and walk along the shore. As we thought parking was an issue. We got 30 minutes free at the marina and then discovered several car parks in a side street. So we got our walk and saw a bit more of the area. The California- Nevada State line runs through the middle of the town. The Casinos are on the Nevada side. Our motel is in California. The local TV from Nevada. I guess for some things it gets confusing.

On the way to the laundry we had seen Ross Dress for Less, by special request we spent an hour there. We discovered that on Tuesdays they have a special 10% discount for  Seniors. Those aged 55 and over. We didn't complain.

After a rest at the motel we went to Applebys, a wood fired grill restaurant. The food was very good. So ended a relaxing day - well almost because I finished this blog before bedtime.

South Lake Tahoe Casinos across the lake.

Take the High Road

Today we leave Yosemite by travelling through the park and exiting via the Tioga Pass, the highest pass in the Sierra's at 3050m above sea level. We were on the road a little after 8-30am and headed back towards Yosemite Valley, but then turned up the hill towards the Tioga Pass Road. We stopped at a couple of view points to look down the valley, with the sun behind us.

Our first real stop was the Tuolumne Grove, one of the three Sequoia groves in the park. It was just over a mile to walk down the hill, the temperature was just right for walking, but we only went about half way before returning to the car.

Alpine Lake

Soon we were driving between tall trees and large expanses of granite. We stopped briefly at a small lake to take photographs and drove on enjoying the view. As we drove we always watched, in vain, for a bear to walk out through the trees. It was a very beautiful road.

At Olmsted Point we stopped for the view back across to Half Dome and the top of Yosemite Valley. There was a large granite dome over the road and we climbed much of the way up for a better view. It was also interesting to see the trees which grew in the cracks in the granite. These are really hardy trees, and some very very old as these surfaces can be covered in snow up to 9 months of the year.

Half Dome

We had lunch on the shore of Tenya Lake just a few kilometres further on. It was a great place to stop. A bit further we stopped for Tuolumne Meadow and walked around the end of the Meadow. David climbed halfway up Pot Hole Dome which gave excellent views. Rain was threatening and we could hear thunder so we didn't hang around too long. It had rained at the Visitor Centre and shop a little further on. We didn't get rain until we were on our way out of the park. There was still some snow / ice on the mountains visible from Tioga Pass, but not much.

Meadow

We descended to between 5 and 6000 feet and joined the road heading north to Carson City and Reno. We went over a couple of passes, but mostly stayed at this elevation. Much of the countryside was dry and desert-like, but we also crossed several large plains with lots of green grass and happy cattle.

Just below Tioga Pass

As we approached Carson City we could see a road climbing the steep slope in front of us. This turned out to be the road to Lake Tahoe. Like most of the road we have been on this was an excellent road allowing is to go up a very significant mountain at almost 50 mph.

We had no trouble finding the motel and checking in. After a short rest we drove a couple of minutes to the Mall and shopping area to find some where for Dinner. We chose a Mexican Place and it was good food. After a brief wander around some of the shops we retired for the night.

Descending Tioga Pass

Half Dome. Zoom in and you can see the climbers

 

Wildlife

Trees on Granite slope

Yosemite Again

We slept soundly and in part because we didn’t need to pack up were on the road by 7-50am. We were in a long line of cars, in part because there were several buses ahead of us slowing the traffic. Still by 8-20am we were in the Bridal Falls carpark and walking to the base of the falls. This is the only waterfall which has any water in it as it is fed from a stream which drains an alpine meadow. Still it was a feeble flow, but much better than nothing.

Bridal Veil

There were still hardly any cars or people around so we got a really good carpark near a shuttle stop. Our objective was to walk to the mirror lake. The air was not too hot, the track was in the shade and it was almost flat. We discovered later that we did not take the shortest route, but it didn’t matter.

Mirror Lake

Initially we though that there was no water in the mirror lake, but fortunately there was a shallow pond left and this was long enough to get some great reflection photographs. As always however in such a grand landscape the camera is a poor recorder of immense cliffs which tower all around.

Ewe caught the shuttle from the bottom of the mirror lake track to the Yosemite Falls track. This is about 5km away. This water fall was dry, but the cliffs it falls down are immense and spectacular in their own right. It would be good to see it in spring in full flow however. We did see a deer eating in the river bed, oblivious to all the people walking by.

By now we had done all the easy walks, so we decided to go to a neighbouring part of the park, Hetch Hetchy. On the way we had lunch in shady picnic ground and took a brief walk to  take a close up look at El Capitaine, the huge mountain with vertical cliffs at the entrance to the valley. As hoped we saw four people rock climbing, they looked like ants on the face of the rock.

To get to Hetch Hetchy we travelled out of the park on the road to San Francisco and just after the gate bounced along a rural road for 7 miles before entering the park again. This part is by day permit so we were given a numbered card to hand back when we left. A fire had been through the area 3 0r 4 years ago and several hillsides had grasses growing under the dead remains of the pine forest. The dam at Hetch Hetchy provides 85% of San Francisco’s water supply. The landscape was much more desolate than Yosemite, it was clearly a lot drier and lots of rock was visible.

The stunning aspect of the dam was the water gushing out of a pipe at the bottom in a jet at least 3 feet across. This jut thundered into the cliff opposite and then flowed downstream to the next resivour. The two water falls near here had been dry for a few weeks, so we only walked far enough to get a better view of the mountains at the headwaters of the lake. They were impressive, especially when you consider that a third at least were hidden under the lake.

We made our way back to Yosemite late in the afternoon in time to get burgers again  before the Grill closed at 6pm. They were just as good as last night. By now there were not many people around and it was reasonably quiet. A big contrast with last night. After getting some supplies at the Supermarket we headed out of the village making a detour to the tunnel view to get some photographs with the evening sun behind us. This was one place where there were lots of people. It was worth it to get one last view of Yosemite.

Hetch Hetchy Dam

Lake at Hetch Hetchy

Rock Climbers El Capitaine

Yosemite Valley from Tunnel View

The journey back to the motel was uneventful. We did stop to fill up with petrol at the only fuel stop. As expected when you have a monopoly it cost a lot more than in the city.

Back at the motel a shower to wash off the dust of the day and watching the closing ceremony of the Olympics.

Yosemite

We were on the road by 8am. Even at that time there was a steady stream of cars heading to the park. By 8-30am we were at the Wawona Visitor centre and Historic Village. After wandering around we set off for the Yosemite side of the park. Our first destination Glacier Point. This is directly above Yosemite on the top of the cliffs [ 7000 ft] providing a panoramic view of the valley and  beyond. We were early enough that we didn’t have to wait for a car park. The cliffs and mountains are seriously impressive. A camera struggles to do it justice.

From Glacier Point

We took our time to have a good look and then made our way to the walk to Mono Meadow. It was about 1 km, but it was hot and it was downhill. These meadows are really pretty grass areas where it is wetter. We didn’t see any deer in this meadow, but we had seen one earlier when we stopped at an overlook to see the view.

From Glacier Point

The hard bit was walking up the hill. The drive to the valley was uneventful. The last piece is a 1 mile tunnel. One of the key photo spots is just on the other side of the tunnel. What a shambles as people tried to find car parks. We were fortunate to find a car park and got the photo we wanted and continued on our way. As it was lunch time we stopped at the first picnic area and had something to eat.

When we pulled back onto the main road it was a bumper to bumper traffic jam. We slowly made our way along the valley and eventually found a car park on the side of the road after another car pulled out. We began to walk to the Village along the river, it was made special by seeing a deer drinking just in front of us. After a kilometre or two we were feeling hot and tired and then discovered we could take the free shuttle to the village.

We enjoyed an ice cream, with hungry squirrels roaming around the tables. After deciding it was too hot to go on a longer walk we caught the shuttle again to the Yosemite Village and Visitor Centre. The displays explaining the geological history and the settlement from Native peoples through to today were very interesting. Behind the Visitor Centre there is an Native American Village and this weekend they were having a special gathering. This included some of the men in traditional dress performing a sacred dance in the long hut. We were pleased to discover something of their history and culture.

As we didn’t know what would be available at our accommodation we decide to eat before we left the park. Fortunately the Grill was still open and they made a great burger. Yes the squirrels were hanging around here too.

Half Dome

Half Dome and Merced River

It was still amazingly busy. There were people everywhere, the shuttles were jammed full and the road out clogged with cars crawling along. So at about 6-30pm we joined the slow moving line of cars. Fortunately there are three different routes out of Yosemite and we were soon moving at a reasonable pace. It took about 25 minutes to get to Cedar Lodge, which is quite a large complex in the middle of nowhere. And it was totally full.

A great day. We enjoyed every moment, but we were tired.

Changed plans

When we drove out of sequoia national park we thought we would come back the next day. It was a long way back, and then even longer to get to our destination for the night so we decided to go to the Sierra National Forest. This is what I had in mind when I booked our accommodation.

We were underway by 8-30am after filling up with Petrol, this time $2.26 per gallon. Google maps guided us to the freeway and we were soon on our way to the mountains again. This time the freeway continued up the mountain. Two lanes each way, hardly any vehicles and easy to do 55 mph up the hill made for a quick journey to Shaver Lake.

Shaver Lake

There are several lakes in the area which are part of a large hydro-electric system. They also make for great recreational facilities and are quite beautiful with fir trees down to the water’s edge. After a rest at Shaver Lake we drove further on to Huntington Lake which is at 7000 feet and is one of the top sailing lakes in California. We drove around this lake and then back to Shaver Lake by a narrow secondary road. The views were impressive and the Granite Cliffs awesome.

We had lunch sitting on the sand at the edge of Shaver Lake and then set off for the Big Tree Grove. This is a small grove of Sequoia’s many of which are more than 10 feet across. There were only a couple of other people so it was possible to take our time looking. We continued along the road to another dam. A most impressive structure in an amazing landscape of granite studded with a few trees. Of the lakes we had seen this was the lowest, a reasonable snowfall last winter had significantly improved the state of the other lakes.

Chipmunk

We had to retrace our steps to get to our destination for the night. It was an uneventful trip down the fabulous 4 lane highway and then onto narrow country roads to get us to Oakhurst. While this was a round a bout route to go on major highways would have meant a much longer journey.

Big Trees Grove

Another Sierra Lake

The motel at Oakhurst was 14 miles from the Yosemite gate, which is why we are staying hear. The town of Oakhurst was about a mile down the road. We drove down to find some dinner and ended up in a Pizza Restaurant. One very large Pizza was more than we could manage. It was an excellent Pizza. Then to the Supermarket for yoghurt for breakfast and some more fruit.

Another good day. It would have been too long to go back to the Kings Canyon. Something to do for next time?

It just kept getting bigger

Visalia is the closest city to Sequoia National Park which is why we stayed there. It was a good choice. We got away just on 8am and it was a simple process to get on to the freeway which had moderate traffic meaning we could travel at the 65 mph speed limit. The park gate was 33 miles away. We passed very large  areas of orange trees and other fruit trees. The volume of water used in irrigation must be immense.

We had read that some days the que to get through the gate is an hour long. We were third in line. The Generals Highway was built in the 1920’s and it is a fabulous road. A nice even gradient and  really smooth. As we climbed the vista over the mountains opened up and there were plenty of places where we could pull over to look at the view. Bit by bit we climbed, 2000 feet, 3000 feet then 5000 and 6000 feet. The big trees are at altitude because it is too hot and too dry lower down, and then higher than that it is too cold.

The temperature was really pleasant. It was much better than the extreme heat on the plains. We stopped at the Giant Forest Museum and ranger station which was surrounded by huge Sequoia’s. Several hundred in the grove over were 10 feet across the trunk.

Our next stop was Moro Rock. This granite dome has had steps cut into it, making a challenging but worthwhile 300 foot climb up to 2050m. At least one member of our group who doesn’t like heights took her time, but did get to the top. The view was amazing. The photo’s won’t do justice due to the haze in the air.

On the way to Crescent Meadow, which was on the same road, there was a fallen tree which had been partially cut to allow vehicles to drive through, max 8 foot clearance. We walked around the meadow then came back to the car park for lunch. We had managed to get the last car park, so determined we would park in the large carpark by the Museum and catch the free shuttle to the General Sherman Tree, the largest living object on earth.

Tunnel Tree

The largest living theing on earth

Moro Rock - the dome in the distance

We got off the shuttle at the accessible entrance to the General Sherman tree and along with the crowds marvelled at the size and bulk of this huge tree. It is not the oldest, not the tallest or the widest but its volume is the greatest. We climbed up the path to the main car park, wishing we had taken the bus to the top and walked down. When we got to the car park we were ¾ of the height of the tree at 27 story’s high.

By this time it was mid afternoon so we began to make our way down the hill towards Clovis where we had booked for the night. There is a neighbouring National Park Kings Canyon. At this stage we thought we would come back to that park the next day. It was a great road coming of the mountain with easy curves which meant an easy 60 mph. It still took an hour and a ¼ to get to Clovis.

The motel was by the restaurant and a shopping mall. We walked the 200m for dinner and almost melted, so we drove to the mall and had a look through Marshall the discount and remainder chains. David made some purchases, Lynda and Aimee just tried some things on.

There was a loud bang in the middle of the night and the air conditioner stopped and then Police sirens. Someone had hit the power pole outside the motel. It didn’t disturb our sleep too much.

The heat is on

We stayed at San Simeon so that we could visit Hurst Castle. This extensive property is located on the top of a hill five miles up a mountain road. I had pre-booked on the 10am upstairs rooms tour to ensure we got on a tour at a convenient time. We arrived at the Visitor centre in good time to get the shuttle up the hill.

The ‘castle’ is an amazing building with 39 bedrooms and 42 bathrooms. Hurst bought large quantities of art works from Europe after WW1. Things like whole ceilings, fire surrounds , Doors and works of art. The castle was never finished in part because he kept on changing his mind and adding extra. The most impressive room was the study. The indoor pool was stunning with over a million Murano glass tiles, where the gold colour was the real thing. We had wondered if it was going to be worth visiting. The clear answer was yes.

The Tower at Hurst Castle

Library at Hurst Castle

Indoor Pool at Hurst Castle

We had lunch, sitting in the car down the road at Moonstone Beach. It was a bit too cool to sit outside. With that we said goodbye to the coast and headed inland. Our destination was Visalia, the city which is the gateway to Sequoia National Park. The road passed through significant sections where the hills were burnt and dry. Then across wide plains where there were all sorts of crops growing, but only because they were being irrigated. Part of the area is the largest Dairy farming area in the USA. We saw several of these dairy farms, all the animals in barns, with large fans to keep them cool.

There were also signs of the severe drought affecting California. From some fields with trees which had been abandoned, now dead, to many signs promoting the use of water to grow food. Water is the really valuable commodity here. Without irrigation it would be a dust bowl.

The air conditioning in the car shielded us from the increase in the temperature. It hit you as soon as the door was opened however. 39 degrees at 5pm. We have a very comfortable unit and one of the cheapest we will stay in at $100 NZ for the 3 of us.

I had filled the car [ from just under ¼ ] with petrol for the grand sum of $30 US. That is just over $40 NZ. Not too painful.

We drove to downtown Visalia to go to a money machine and to have dinner. Once again we enjoyed a very tasty and wholesome meal. Good food if you steer clear of the  take away chains.

We stopped at a supermarket on the way back to the motel to get supplies for breakfast and for lunch tomorrow. An early night is planned so we can get a good start to the  National Park tomorrow.

Santa Cruz to Monteray

After breakfast we walked to the end of what is supposed to be the best Wharf on the California Coast. Everyone always thinks what they have is the best. From about half way along there were lots of sea lions. Many were on the cross beams underneath, they must have climbed on at high tide, or else they have learnt to jump. Once again the wind was cold, with low cloud or fog. It was a pleasant wander, but the winds off the Pacific are much worse than the easterly in Christchurch.

It was a short drive of 50 miles to Monterey where we were staying the night. This used to be the centre of fish canning. Sardines in oil etc. It became famous through John Steinbeck's book Cannery Row. Most of the trip was through dry and scrubby country. But there was one section with irrigation where Strawberry fields stretched for miles, and also lettuces, cabbages and Artichokes. We stopped and bought some peaches, strawberries and 10 small avocados for $1.

As we approached Cannery Row there was a car park on the side of the road. Excellent. It was only a short walk to the shops and restaurants. By now it was a beautiful day, the sea was glassy calm, and there was warmth in the sun. Lunch was at the bakery, stuffed croissants.

By about 2-30pm we had seen all we wanted and headed for the Motel via a supermarket. Both David and Aimee have had a nagging cough, so it was good to have a bit of a rest. Just before 5pm we set off to go on 17 mile drive which takes you through the Pebble Beach golf club. The greens and fairways were a vivid green, in total contrast to the surrounding land. No surprise then that there were deer eating the green grass in a number of places. A number of people live on the peninsular and there were several 'mansion' type dwellings. It was a very interesting drive. Pinus Radiata which is so significant in NZ comes from Monterey. We saw several growing.

Back at the motel we walked across the road to have dinner in a Chinese restaurant. We are  learning.We ordered two meals to share between the three of us. That was just the right amount.

David and Aimee's colds were getting worse. Fortunately we had some effective tablets.

Broadway at Santa Cruz

Cannery Row at Monterey

Our rental a Kia Sportage

Seal on Wharf at Santa Cruz

The water we bought at the Supermarket. Bottled in Paeroa

A sea otter

Images from the Coast Road

Elephants Seals near San Simeon

The big ones almost weigh 2 tonnes

We were fortunate to see a Condor sitting on a rock beside the road

Deer on Pebble Beach Golf Club

One of the many view from Highway 1

Chipmonk one of many in the view points.

Lone Cyprus, Pebble Beach Golf Club