Lake Tahoe and Yosemite

Sunday, October 2

We left Carson City and headed to South Lake Tahoe.  We found this small town to be very busy and commercial .  Fortunately the couple we met while in Grand Tetons, told us to be sure to see Emerald Bay while in Tahoe.  They were correct.  The road to the Emerald Bay view point was narrow, windy and mountainous with spectacular views along the way. 

 

no shoulders ~ just cliffs off the road

Then we spotted Emerald Bay itself and WOW.  It was easy to understand why it is one of the most photographed locations in North America. 

Emerald Bay with Fannette Island

Emerald Bay and Fannette Island

Emerald Bay and mountains

Mrs. Knight's Teahoue

Vikingsholm Castle

Scandinavian castle built in this area in 1928 and a small tea house with the same architecture built on the top of Fannette Island. 

On our way back from Emerald Bay, there were signs for a ‘special event’ and  cars parked EVERY where.   Curiosity finally overtook us and we asked a ranger what was going on; “It’s the salmon run”, he exclaimed.  We chose the day of ‘The Salmon Run’ to be in Lake Tahoe!  Hundreds of people were present for the big event and there were no parking spaces for miles so we decided to head on to Yosemite.

The drive to Yosemite took about four hours.  We never get bored with the driving because everywhere we have been the the scenery just keeps us going.  

The drive took us through some beautiful country and along this creek that we just had to stop and take a picture of. 

 

along the road

As we drove down rt 395 through the Homboldt Toiyabe National Forest we saw of the Mono Basin;  The Sierra Nevada Range to the right and the valley to the left. 

Sierra Nevada Range

As we looked down upon the town of Bridgeport in the heart of the valley, we were hoping to find a gas station.  We found good news and bad news:  the good news is, there was gas.  The bad news, you can guess ~

Knowing there wasn't going to be much opportunity for gas in Yosemite, we filled up anyway and continued on our way.  

on the road to Yosemite

We finally arrived at Yosemite only to be told at the gate that they didn’t THINK there were any campsites but we could check at the visitor’s center 1 ½ hrs away!  The only consolation was that the drive to the visitor’s center was spectacular.   We decided not to forgo the scenery we were passing therefore turning the drive to the visitors center into 2 ½ hours. 

 One of the most amazing sites was Olmsted Point.

volcanic erratics ~ rocks that 'don't belong' ~ displaced by volcanic activity

 granite 'polished' by volcanic activity

half dome in the distance

  The park service was conducting a 'managed burn' which brought smoke across the road and delayed traffic.

view into the valley

 

We never did find the visitor center but we did find Crane Flat campground just in time to set up before dark.  We have noticed the days getting shorter and shorter. 

No bear have been sighted in the camp areas however all precautions must be taken.  All food and toiletries must be secured in the metal storage bins provided at each site.  They must be conserving energy in California because there were NO lights at all in the campground bathrooms. 

We gathered some sticks in the woods around the campground 

and enjoyed a small fire before calling it a day.