Yosemite National Park–Day 3

For Day 3, we signed up for a tour of the valley floor on “the Green Dragon”, a truck-pulled trailer of four-person seats. This was a two hour tour led by a Park Ranger, Carol. She has been in service in the Park for many years and was knowledgeable as well as interesting. She told us that the water level (due to the snow melting in this warm weather) is 177% of normal. Some of the tent-houses are flooded, the swinging bridge is underwater, and the river is too fast to allow rafting. On the other hand, there are waterfalls to see that are often just a trickle or do not exist at all a little later in the year. Yosemite Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, and Vernal Falls are more impressive than usual. Our Ranger also told us of a huge flood in 1997 while she was here. A sign commemorates the amazing height of the water.

We stopped at several places to stretch our legs and take pictures. One of the stops was called Tunnel View, a vista point just after you pass through a tunnel on the south entrance. One of the other visitors took our picture, unfortunately, I am totally blocking a waterfall!

When we stopped to view El Capitan, Ron, with his eagle eyes, picked out two climbers on the face of the rock. The Ranger explained to us that the climbers work in teams of two. I was amazed to learn that a climb might take five days and that the climbers must carry a gallon of water for each climber for each day! Add to that food, climbing gear, and sleeping gear and that is much more of an adventure than I would want to try.

After the tour and lunch, we headed over to The Majestic (formerly the Ahwahnee Hotel). It was built to attract the richer guests. It has some very nice features. We especially liked the tall stain glassed windows in the lobby. Rather than take the shuttle back to our camp, we walked and enjoyed the views and waterways. After dinner, Half Dome looked great in the setting sunlight. Another wonderful day in Yosemite and no emergency calls and no drama.

The Merced River runs through the valley. I liked this view of Half Dome over the river. Even when the light is nearly gone, the Merced River is beautiful and gentle. We had to take a Selfie during our walk and my eye was caught by this nice contrast in colors and textures of the leaves against the moss on the bark of the tree.

On our way to the viewpoint for Yosemite Falls, Ron ventured out on a log over a stream for a photo opportunity. We have watched for wildlife and have seen birds, squirrels, and several deer. Here is a photo of our tent cabin in Camp Curry. Notice the “bear box” outside where we have to store anything that has a food-like odor. We put our granola bars, shampoo, and deodorant in the box. In the night, I have heard some rustling noises, but it is probably only people going to the bathroom in the middle of the night. The pretty yellow-white flowers are on the Dogwood trees. They contrast nicely with the dark bark of the surrounding trees.

I keep using this phrase, “The photo simply does not do this justice!” We followed the trail to the view of the upper and lower Yosemite Falls and that was very nice. We then followed the trail to the Lower Yosemite Falls and Wow! We were at a large stone bridge where the spray from the falls hit you in the face, the roaring sound of the water and the people scuttling about to get pictures and enjoy the moment made this the most exciting stop of the day. Nature is so beautiful from a distance, but being closer, in the “Splash Zone” really makes a difference for the experience. Fun.

Yosemite National Park–Day 1

We are in beautiful Yosemite Park for five days as the Evacuation Chaperones for about 60 of my high school seniors. They hike for several days and someone needs to stay on the valley floor in case someone is injured and needs to be sent home. The chaperones were having trouble finding someone who could miss school/work for several days to help. Ta-daa. Ron and I fit the bill just fine. I am sorry that we had to call off Bingo with no notice to our players, but I am not sorry to spend five days amid this magnificent scenery. We visited Yosemite back in 1982. It was time to return.

Even on the drive into the main portion of the park, the scenery was amazing. From the car, Ron was able to photograph the valley with El Capitan and Half Dome. Coming through a tunnel, Ron captured Bridal Veil Falls with Half Dome in the distance. We are staying in a spacious and comfortable tent cabin for the five days. Luckily, there is an outlet so we can charge our camera batteries, iPhones & iPads. Walking around, Ron captured a nice image of El Capitan. Yosemite Falls (Upper Yosemite Falls) made a great picture with the mist at the bottom of the falls.

On the first night, we accompanied the group to Mirror Lake where you could see Half Dome in the evening light reflected in the relatively still water. A large stone (topped by one of the students) also made a nice reflective picture.

Back Home, Sylmar, CA

Getting back home is great. The Grand World Voyage was amazing, but getting back to your own humble surroundings is always pleasant. Our first task was to get back into running our charity Bingo. The bingo raises money for Guide Dogs of America. Guide Dogs trains the animals (every one of them is cute) and then brings in the people who will get the dogs for training together. It is sort of like a kennel and hotel and training facility all in one. There are twelve of these centers around the country and one of them is only a few block from where we live. Cool. The players have had bingo twice a month while we were gone. They are ready to get back to a full schedule. Tuesday is Bingo Night!

The next big event was Mother’s Day Champagne Brunch. Ron and I are in charge. This event provides a nicely decorated hall, music, champagne, and cinnamon raisin French toast, scrambled eggs, fruit cup, sausage, coffee, and orange juice… all for only $10. This is so much better than fighting the crowds at a restaurant in town. We sold 200 tickets this time… a record for us. Ron and our team of volunteers prepare and cook all of the food. We were exhausted when it was all over, but everyone seemed to have a great time. Our mobile home park puts on events throughout the year, but Mother’s Day and Father’s Day two of the biggest events.


Now that we are back on land and have internet on a daily basis, we are back to our hobby of Pokémon Go. This is a perfect hobby for two retired gentlemen. As part of the game, we need to walk to catch little creatures (Teddiursa is very cute) and hatch eggs. Changes have occurred in the game since we left to see the world (evolution items, etc.). This game is a good motivation to get out and continue the walking that we did on the ship and on the excursions. We came back home in May weighing a little less than we did when we left home in January. We are working to keep healthy and fit for future adventures.

I still have AP chemistry work to do. I leave at the end of May to grade the AP chemistry exams in Salt Lake City, Utah. I am teaching three AP Summer Institutes for new AP teachers this summer as well as instructing a virtual AP Summer Institute for UCLA Extension. There are a lot of details and preparation that needs to be done. I have been working hard and am almost completely prepared.

I have ordered paints and supplies so I can continue my watercolor projects. It was so much easier to simply go up to the 9th floor deck of the ship to paint, but I will make it work.

Today was our day at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. It is a little funny to be in a park that commemorates Southern California when we are FROM Southern California. Several Star Wars attractions are here and it is a reminder that Star Wars Day (May the Fourth… be with you) is in a few days. We rode a ride that takes you through recreations of famous movies and the Indiana Jones Stunt Show which was really fun and impressive. We did a few of the smaller attractions as well and saw that there are plans for a whole new Toy Story Town in the back… no date posted when THAT will be ready. All in all, we were finished with this park about noon and went back to our rooms to cool off from the increasing heat.


We had a reservation at the Artist’s Point restaurant in the Wilderness Lodge. The Lodge itself is worth seeing. It is inspired by the various National Parks where the native crafts and materials are used to build the accommodations. The Lodge lobby is huge and reminiscent of the Old Faithful Lodge in Yellowstone only on a much grander scale. There are simulated hot springs (one inside the lobby), waterfalls, and even a geyser. The dinner was good and a little exotic. Ron had buffalo steak and I had halibut with sunflower roots.


After dinner, we went back to The Magic Kingdom to see the fireworks show. It is called “Wishes” and has been showing for many years. It is scheduled to change after May 11. Of course, regulars to The Magic Kingdom are nostalgic… sort of like when The Electrical Parade was stopped at Disneyland. Late in the evening, we were able to get on several attractions with no wait time. It was a nice finish to our visit.

We have been hearing from our World Cruise friends who have traveled home to find good or bad weather, see grandkids or see their pets. I am ready to see my mobile home and our friends at Oakridge. “There’s No Place Like Home.”