July 4th weekend, Yosemite, Upper Pines Campground

Well, our 5 nites in the Yosemite Valley came to a close yesterday morning, after our coffee.  Tents were dropped, bags packed, camping supplies redistributed to their rightful owners, extra wood, and such divided up.  It was very very hard to leave.  I love Yosemite.  I love camping in the valley.  The nights are warm enough, you don't shiver, you don't need to bundle up.  I have to go back!  Already scheming for the next time I can get up there!  

Roger opted out of this trip, so I headed up late on Wednesday nite, after stopping by Tujunga to grab the mail, and repack all the camping gear.  We had ended up with alot of crap we didn't need at the beach, and were missing key items we should have had-like tinfoil, and a working lantern, and a cutting board.   I made the drive to Fresno and stayed at a Best Western for the night.  Took a bath to reset myself for the next 5 days.  Thursday, I lollygagged about, zipping over to Starbucks, relaxing at the hotel, then doing my camp shopping leisurely at Whole Foods, which was ridiculous, but being gluten free, and having to go there for key items, its a drag to then go to a 2nd market and shop all over again.  I bought some ground beef, and gourmet turkey sausages for my camp meal for the group [which was a resounding success, I believe I got a 4 star compliment from our chef [August, Emily's husband].  I also served brussell sprouts, and a cabbage, lettuce, tomato, garlic salad.    Beverly also provided an excellent meal of Top Sirloin steaks, grilled over the fire as well, a delicious salad with hearts of palm & artichoke hearts, twice baked mashed potatoes.  Needless to say, we ate well, as always, seeing as camping is our gourmet foray, and the food as important as the camping gear!   Friday, we all walked up to Mirror Lake, where there is a swimming area, and a large rock along the river.  It was gorgeous.  The next day we went to Yosemite Falls.  The traffic was insane, and we learned the hard way NOT to get in the car in the park on 4th of July weekend.  Unfortunately, after the falls, we were stuck in 3 HOURS of traffic driving back to the campsite which was only a 5 minute drive.  Oh dear.  The next day we went back up to the swimming area again.   And the final day, Julia, Mimi and I went up the Vernal falls hike to the bridge.   I tried to go higher this time, to get to upper falls, and did another 30 minutes up, but the trail got wetter, and the shower from the falls made it a slippery slope on the stone stairs, and forget it if you are afraid of heights.  But next time, I will make it, but just need a companion.  Scary and unbelievable.   On the way out yesterday, I scouted out Camp 4, which is 1st come 1st serve, and you can stay successive nights, unlike the valley sites.  The drive back went quick.   6 hours from park to L.A., and then another 2 hour push to the desert.