WOW

We drove out to Glacier Point in Yosemite Park yesterday. It set a new standard for natural beauty. The views down the valley, to El Capitan, the 3,000' tall granite monolith, and over Half-Dome are indescribable. The drive was very nearly in the same category. There was just a little haze, so we hope pictures come out. A guy who was guiding a small group had climbed to the top of Half Dome the day before with his father. When we were finished gawking at that scene, we continued south to the the Marisposa Grove of old growth Sequoias.
The lots were full, so we had to park 2 miles away and wait for a skuttle bus or walk. For some reason we thought we could walk 2 miles up hill at this altitude and we started out. Less than half way up we put out a thumb and were picked up by a good Samaritan. Once at the top, it was about a mile hike up into the grove where the largest trees stood. As we started a ranger was talking who getting ready to begin a guided tour. We waited and went with the tour. It was well worth it. The sequoias here were dated at about 1800 years old. Dating is not 100 per cent accurate. Sequoias are a little different from coastal redwoods. They are shorter, wider and older, and rarely grow a new tree from a stump sucker as redwoods do. The largest tree in the grove is the Grizzley Tree. It's only 209' tall, but over 30' in diameter. Immense.
By the time we walked and skuttled back down to the car we were walked out and exhilerated. It was a great day.