Yosemite

This week we decided to take a weekend getaway to Yosemite. We've always wanted to go, and there's not much time left, so go we did. We arrived Friday evening just in time for a beautiful sunset dinner at Priest Station Cafe. Really, so beautiful. And as everyone else peacefully ate their dinner and took in the view, Blake and I realized how extremely loud our children's voices are. Especially when Jack announced to everyone, "I can't sit on my chair! I have poops!" Thanks Jack. And to make the situation even better, all I had was size 1 diapers for Baby Gus. It's moments like these that make trips so memorable.
Our deluxe accommodations were at a bed and breakfast in Groveland, about a half hour outside the gate to Yosemite. You have to book campsites 6 months in advance and I'm more of a B&B girl anyway, so it worked out perfectly. We stayed in the "Fireplace Bluff" suite which was definitely not meant for five people to bunk up in. But the large jacuzzi tub definitely made up for it!
After our tasty toaster pancake breakfast (the host was quite adamant that these pancakes were just as good as any others), we hit the road to Yosemite. After several scenic stops, our first real stop was at Bridalveil Falls. Now I've been to Provo's Bridalveil Falls and this one puts that one to shame. Apparently spring is the best time to see the waterfalls crashing down with all the run-off water and we had hardly walked up the trail when we could feel the mist spraying down on us. Max, Gus, and I chickened out, so by default Jack got to accompany Blake as far as Jack would go and the two came back soaked.
Next we made our way to Yosemite Valley. After lunching with squirrels and a monstrous diaper explosion from a very small baby, we went to the visitors center to watch a movie all about Yosemite and figure out our next move. We rode the bus to the base of Yosemite Falls (the tallest waterfall in North America) to start our first hike. I was surprised at how kid-friendly everything was. Max and Jack could easily do several of the hikes and they loved riding the bus all over the park. And speaking of kid-friendly, I need to give a big shout out to Max. We didn't realize we'd be parking our car so far from everything and didn't have anything to carry all our stuff around in...except Max's backpack. So, Max carried jackets, water, and snacks around for us all day. Thank you Max!
Next Blake, Max, and Jack hiked to Mirror Lake at the base of Half Dome while Gus and I took a little break. On the way back they were getting hungry and tired so they ate every last thing Max had in his pack and then Blake took turns carrying each of them back down the path. I'm happy I chose to sit in the visitor's center.
Other noteworthy events from the day included a bear and deer siting. Look how close the bear is to the playground, and to us for that matter. Kind of scary, no?

We finished the day with a sunset view of Half Dome from Sentinel Bridge. Blake's already planning our next visit, complete with REAL camping and bikes. We were quite jealous of all the bikers around the park. Who's in?