National Parks Road Trip 2017: Yosemite 2

Yosemite Day-Two Highlights:

• Although day-one in Yosemite had been a roller coaster, it was still an amazing park and we didn't wish away our adventures of day one one bit.  They just become the stories we accumulate that make up the novel of our lives!  It was nice to wake up and see my mom feeling good and eager to get into the park.  Because everything seemed to be looking clean and clear of infection, she planned to visit the small clinic in Yosemite Village instead of going back out to the Urgent Care in Oakhurst.
• We followed the road into Yosemite Valley and as we exited the View Tunnel, we heard the angel choir yet again!  Wow!  
• Yosemite Valley was packed with people and cars, and after driving around for about 25 minutes, we were worried we'd never find parking.  Then we had some MAJOR parking luck--two spots opened up right by each other, and our day could really begin! 
• We all hiked to the base of the majestic Vernal Fall, and then the older boys and I headed on along the Mist Trail to the top of Vernal and then to the bottom and top of Nevada Fall which rests at the base of Half Dome, then back down the Muir Trail.  Without the 2 sets of short legs with us, we could pick up the pace a little, which felt good, and I love the time I get to spend with my teens.  They are so cool!
• The Mist Trail was probably my favorite hike of all, although they were all so so good.  I'd have to say that the top 3 for me were Mist/Muir Trail, The Narrows and the Congress/Alta Trail among the sequoias.  The water in Yosemite was high, so we got blasted with mist and soaked through as we climbed the path to the top of Vernal Fall, which was great.  The picture that looks foggy of Zac, Ben and Josh on the stairs looks that way because of the mist; it's not just a blurry shot!  The entire hike was a feast for the eyes--such beauty!
• Nana, Papa, Luke and Tommy hiked to Yosemite Fall, which really lives up to its name as the pinnacle fall in the park--plunging down one granite face before turning and plunging again.  They took some time to wade in the river while enjoying lunch and then listened to a ranger talk on ravens--while a wild raven squawked and hopped its approval around the presentation.  My mom's leg was feeling fine, so she never stopped by the clinic. (Mom!)
• We met back up at the campground.  It was so nice to get in before dark!  For our last camping dinner we enjoyed barbecue turkey tinfoil dinners and s'mores over the campfire.  Tommy was so excited: "This is my very first tinfoil dinner!"
• We laughed over the rapid descent of bathroom quality in our three campgrounds: from "luxury" bathrooms with hot running water and flush toilets, to no showers but cold water sinks and flush toilets, to no water and pit toilets.
• We woke once again to cattle in the campground.