This day I got up relatively early to go on a hike. Michael had decided to opt out of any hiking. The problem was that during our days there, there was a real heatwave happening. The temperatures were in the high 90s every day. And this kind of weather is really not conducive for mountain climbing. Unless you have a really early start – mornings were quite bearable as it cooled down nicely during the night. I guess, you all will see where Michael’s problem with that scenario was.
Hmmm.......that's a toughie.
And I think splitting up was the smart thing to do. This way, I could start as early as I wanted instead of being annoyed that Michael was not moving as early as I would have wanted, which would then have resulted in both of us being grumpy (one because of the early morning, the other because the morning was not early enough) and then having to hike in the hot weather.
My plan was to hike to Vernal Fall. The official description of this trail is:
Top of Vernal Fall
Distance: 2.4 mi (3.9 km) round trip (via Mist Trail)
Elevation gain: 1000 ft (300 m)
Difficulty: Strenuous
Time: 3 hours
Sounds a little like my run this morning with my youngest DS. 3.2 miles.....one way, 1000 ft. elevation gain, and only considered Moderately Strenuous???
On the way to the shuttle bus I saw a very pretty bird:
Female Blue Jay???
Until there the trail was quite steep, but still a very nice paved trail. You could push a stroller up to this point, but it would be quite some work because of how much it ws uphill.
But then the stairs started!
Paved??? Hmpf...........
Oh wait.......you said STAIRS???
And soon I got a view of the waterfall:
Well there you go.........the big reward!
As you can see, there are people on the trail, but it was not a constant row of people. That would change later!
Uh oh..........
I don’t understand people who litter along the trail, but here I came across the most bizarre piece of garbage left on the side of the trail:
I've heard of people walking out of their shoes, but this..........???
As you can see, there is not a lot of water, but there is still a decent amount of water in this waterfall!
Compared to the other falls you posted about earlier............
And the other one was to make my way over to the John Muir Trail that would then lead me back to the valley, so this would be a loop then instead of climbing down all those stairs. I like loop trails. I never really approve of hiking back the same way that I came. Also, the other trail supposedly was less steep and I really was not looking forward to climbing down all those stairs.
Sounds like a good choice!
And then I started to become more and more aware of the fact that while it had been really busy on that other trail, no one else was using this trail!! I was totally on my own. At first it did not bother me, but then I started to think of bears and mountain lions and I got really scared!!
I have known anyone who has ever been injured or killed by a bear or mountain lion, so you would have been the first. In other words, I think you were very safe.
Oh good..........not sure where you were going with that comment to start with. Now if she had insisted you get up early and join her.............
So, I turned around. By now, I was really really scared! I kept making noises on my own, hoping that if any bear was around that that would scare them away. Most likely I was not nearly noisy enough though. You should have used your scary sounds on the ceiling fan!
Or attract them............
And then I started to see the real masses!! So many people on that trail. And so many of them totally not equipped for even that easy part of the trail. I saw so many people with flip flops!! Who would ever think about any kind of trail in the countryside that should be walked in flip flops????
Flip flops? Really???
I made my way down and was so happy about my morning walk and felt great! But I was also hot and sweaty now and was looking forward to some lunch!
That was pretty much the same for me this morning too............
We decided to get some lunch at the food court. I went for a Caesar Salad:
Okay, since I hadn't had breakfast my choice was an omelet. But your salad looks pretty good too!
Michael found a place to climb down to the river and sat there a little while to put his feet into the water. He came back and told me that his feet are now very happy – and that’s how this place became Happy Feets instead of Happy Isles!
Shouldn't that pic of my Happy Feet be here?
The big reveal.............
Well, he came to regret this… Yes, he did. He is starting to be more assertive in this relationship. Let's see how she likes it. If her next trip report is being co-authored by Bucky, you'll know the answer!
Well,
@nodnol is already co-authoring a trip report with me, it just seems to have difficulty to get started even though the trip that is being reported on predates this...
Oh THAT should never happen............
BTW, where HAS Katharina been lately???
And then we became suspicious. Even the wildlife expert had to admit that it was unlikely that all the bears in the region used this specific trail as their bathroom. And I also spotted something that looked very much like a horseshoe imprint in the sand…
So, yes, it was caused by horses, not bears!
It was pretty miserable. It wouldn't have been a great hike in summer period. No lake. Extreme heat. Dust. But add the fact that you are following a dozen defecating horses that are covering the train in their waste and you are wearing sandals and ... again, this may be an E-Ticket experience in say Delaware, but for me it was getting an F.
Oh come on Michael............you think they have something that high class in Delaware???
Shortly thereafter we made it to Mirror Lake, but we did not feel very peaceful at all. Looking at the pictures now, it was pretty though.
Made that walk to Mirror Lake when I was there........but in reflection, it seems there was a lot more water then.
We quickly got on a shuttle to our hotel and cleaned up. We had to get pretty as we had dinner plans tonight! We had made a reservation for dinner at the Ahwahnee Hotel dining room.
You BOTH had to get pretty before dinner...........
That looks like a really good list of choices!
The prime rib wasn't bad. It was actually good. But not very good or exceptional. I sorta talked myself, with some help from M, into ordering it when my preferences were either a steak or a chicken dish (they also had a noodle bowl/veggie dish that sounded delicious, but also sounded like something you have on your sixth meal here and not your first.)
I considered the Prime Rib from that menu, but then thought the steak and chicken might be a better choice too! As for the noodle bowl/veggie dish, I agree it sounds like a sixth meal choice......for a five day stay!
While I had trouble deciding between a pork dish and a fish that was called steelhead. I had never heard of that fish, so I asked. Our server told me that it was a local fish and it was similar to trout as well as to salmon. I like both of these, so I decided to try this.
The Steelhead sounded like a good choice too! Glad you ended up really happy with it.
We then looked at the dessert menu and had a hard time deciding, so we asked our server for a recommendation and she recommended the crème brulee.
I don't think you can ever go wrong with créme brulee.
Great update Magdalene!! Please find Michael's Happy Feet!!I really want to see them !!
Okay Ms. Torpedo............
I AM!!!!!!
Just kidding Sweetie