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airdrmr · 09-10-2006, 12:04 AM

Oh, there's so much to do and see! One fun thing to do is to take a blanket and a good pair of binoculars to El Capitan meadow in the valley. As you lay there, looking up at the sheer rock wall, look for tiny (and I mean tiny!) climbers scaling the face. If you look hard and long enough, you're bound to see at least one or two. If it's quiet, you can even hear them talking to each other. This past weekend, we went after the sun went down and saw three separate tiny lights waaaaay up on the rock. Amazing.

If you want to see a different view of Yosemite, try a hike to Dewey or Taft points off the Glacier Point road. Each about 2 hours round trip and not too difficult. Astounding views from above the valley - a whole new perspective.

I know you'll have a great time. It's a beautiful time of year to go and you'll miss so much of the craziness that goes on over the summer months. Yosemite has had a hold on me too since I first visited so long ago. Being there, especially in the off season when it is more peaceful, makes me humble.

NorCal Bambi · 09-10-2006, 08:35 AM

Many years ago when I was getting around in my split window VW Bus. I would drive up to Yosemite on Friday night after school was out. I'd arive late and it would be pich black. On one of these occasions I awoke in the morning to an amazing silence. When I looked outside there was 5 inches of new snow covering the valley. Needless to say it had snowed during the night. I got up and used up 3 rolls of 35mm film. Beauty gones in many smiles.
Don

S C Streamer · 09-10-2006, 10:03 AM

A few years back, when I bought my first digital camera ( Canon G5 ) I had to take it out and play with it. So I left work early on Friday and drove up to Yosemite. It started raining in Mariposa and rained hard all through the night.

Out to the meadows at sunrise, alone, drinking coffee, watching the storm clear and playing with the new camera.

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streamer23 · 09-10-2006, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by S C Streamer

A few years back, when I bought my first digital camera ( Canon G5 ) I had to take it out and play with it. So I left work early on Friday and drove up to Yosemite. It started raining in Mariposa and rained hard all through the night.

Out to the meadows at sunrise, alone, drinking coffee, watching the storm clear and playing with the new camera.

That is one beautiful picture.I'll have to put Yosemite on my must see list.Thanks for posting that.

CaddyGrn · 09-11-2006, 11:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by S C Streamer

Out to the meadows at sunrise, alone, drinking coffee, watching the storm clear and playing with the new camera.

Wonderful pictures! I can't wait to get there!

Thanks for sharing those!

Mrs. NorCal Bambi (traveling in S Tardis)

Fyrzowt · 09-12-2006, 02:44 PM

Great photo, looks like the trees were beginning to turn colors. I love the fall there, a group of us used to go up to Yosemite every October after the schools were back in session - much less crowded then!

tphan · 09-12-2006, 06:11 PM

I agree- October is spectacular- turning leaves, apples in the orchard, the smell of campfire smoke (do they still allow that- maybe not?), not so many folks, cool nights for sleeping, glorious days!! Oh how I wish I were going there this October- will have to settle for living 1 mile from Rocky Mountain Nat. Park I guess... you guys have fun!!-tim

NorCal Bambi · 09-16-2006, 09:47 PM

Well tomorrow morning I hook up the trailer. Claudia stacks in the last of the food. And we're off. Maybe will have a few pictures to post on the next photo contest.
Happy trails, Don

tpi · 09-17-2006, 08:41 AM

Jim & Cheryl-

Winter camping in Yosemite sounds very beautiful. Did you take any precautions with your tanks or the exposed plumbing for the dump valves?

jordandvm · 09-17-2006, 09:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tpi

Jim & Cheryl-

Winter camping in Yosemite sounds very beautiful. Did you take any precautions with your tanks or the exposed plumbing for the dump valves?

TPI,

Yes winter camping was exceptional

.....only a few campers in the CG at the time. Since there are no hookups, we didn't have to worry about the dump valves or water hose freezing. With the evenings getting down into the mid-20's we used the propane furnace for heating our rig....which also heats the tanks. We didn't bring our generator

.......so we were limited to three nights in the valley before our batteries were expended to 45%. We have solar panels......but there is only about 2 hrs of sunshine reaching the CG area at that time of year.
I've been told we were lucky in terms of timing the weather getting in and out of Yosemite.......as snow storms can make travel nearly impossible!

BTW........getting into and out of the CG sites can be a bit tight. We got our 28' into our site with a lot of manuvering..........it can be done if you're patient!

NorCal Bambi · 09-17-2006, 11:34 AM

Jim & Cheryl, Were you just in Yosemite or was this another time? The weather forcast for the time period we will be there looks warmer. But you never know in Yosemite. Our Bambi is really a fair weather trailer. I'm thinking of designing the FC as a cold weather camper. I'll be discussing that concept on the FC thread. I'd be open to any input you might have.
Don

**moosetags** · 09-17-2006, 12:14 PM

We love all the photos and descriptions, thany you all. It make us want to go there right now.

S C Streamer · 09-17-2006, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NorCal Bambi

The weather forcast for the time period we will be there looks warmer. But you never know in Yosemite.

Hi Don,

Check out this site for up to the minute weather info, http://yosemite.org/vryos/

Click on each web-cam to see current temps, etc...

CaddyGrn · 09-27-2006, 09:55 PM

We made it to Yosemite! Had a wonderful time. The bears were very active each night, but the rangers kept them on the run!

The Yosemite falls, naturally, were dry at this time of year but many things were simply lovely! Many more people than after the actual close of the season about October 1. I will post a few pictures of our adventure!

First picture is of us leaving our area with Mt. Shasta in the background!
Second picture is of the Yosemite Valley from Glacier Point.
Third picture is in the Yosemite Valley.

Everyone should go if you haven't yet!

Mrs. NorCal Bambi (traveling in S Tardis)

**Stefrobrts** · 09-27-2006, 11:23 PM

Hey, glad you had a great time! We sure enjoyed visiting with you right before you left, thanks for fitting us in! The pictures are stunning - I can't wait until we can take that trip ourselves

enduroryda · 09-28-2006, 05:43 AM

Wow...that pic of Half Dome brings me back. It really is quite impressive and breathtaking in person. Can you imagine being an explorer and coming upon that...wow...I get that perspective of things alot being married to a history teacher!

We camped at Stanislaus Natl. Forest right outside of Yosemite. We had a bear visit us but he kept his distance from us on the otherside of the stream where we camped. The coyotes were howling quite a bit and a neighbor came over to us (the only other camper out there) and told us he had a rifle and not to worry about them or the bears!

On the ride into Yosemite we were able to pull over at a bridge and follow a stream that overlooked the tops of the cliffs down into the valley...that was incredible.