Monterey Aquarium and San Fran – oops, no Yosemite!!
Monterey Aquarium was excellent. Some huge tanks, lots to see. We both liked the Otters best because they were so hyperactive and very funny to watch. Take a look at the Monterey Aquarium pics. I stroked a Manta Ray, and Matt touched some starfish which was pretty cool.
After we left the Aquarium we started the long drive to San Fran, then had a sudden change of heart and detoured 200 miles east to go to Yosemite National Park instead – so thats where we have been for the last couple of days.
The park lived up to all our expectations – very close to how we pictured the American wilderness. Saw lots of Deer and chipmunk type creatures – We think we saw Bear sh*t in the woods! – just because the dollop on the trail was so big its hard to imagine what else could have done it. No sighting of bears or mountan lions unfortunately.
Day one we eased ourselves in with a gentle trail around the Lower Yosemite Falls – which turned into rock climbing up to the splash pool. Good fun, got some good pics – See Yosemite Park pics.
Day two we threw ourselves at one of the most strenuous trails in the park – a 3.4 mile hike up from 4,000ft above sea level on the Valley Floor, to over 7,000ft above sea level at the top of the Upper Yosemite Falls. And oh my God am I suffering now! It was a 7 hour round trip, back and forth up a steep rocky and sandy trail, total of 6.8 miles. The views at the top were well worth it. On the way down we heard some guy hollering warnings and Matt saw a 3ft wide rock careering down the cliff face about 50 ft behind us. That woulda hurt! See Yosemite Falls pics. You must have a look to appreciate the height and distance we covered!
Now we are finally off to San Fran today – unless the mood takes us somewhere else!
Love
Rachel & Matt
4 comments
Fantastic pictures. Really wish we were there to share the experience ! Mother is worried that you go too close to the edge!!
Paddington looks as if he is enjoying himself, hope you are feeding him well. Take care, have fun. x
Hi. Looks like you are having a really lovely time with some amazing experiences and so many more to come. Still very jealous. Glad to see Paddington still safe and sound and enjoying himself. Harry will be pleased. Harry says give Paddy a big kiss from him.
Take care and we look forward to the next installment.
P.S Dan is looking for a new computer with web cam so should be able to chat soon. Will let you know.
Love to you both and Paddy.
xxxxxx
Hi, guys. Very good decision to go off route to Yosemite. The pictures look really really good. You should have taken that picture of the Bear Poo! hahah You’ll have to try Grand Canyon when you get to Vegas. Its similar but yet different. You’ll love it there too.
Keep up with the pics guys!
YO! (get it!) Pikkies are superb -really give you a feel of the scale of the place. Lucky escape eh?(falling rock). The photos of the sea life I especially loved. The jellyfish are fantastic – unreal really particularly liked the video of the jellyfish. Hope you are both feeling rested by now. Xmas decs & lights up now – seen any on your travels?I cant believe that you have only been away just over a week, it seems so much longer to me! Nanna says that she always wanted to go to San Fran! Give the bell on the street car a clang for her! Nice jacket Matt ! Love ya.Mumxx
Leave a Comment