One word to describe Yosemite? WOW! It is an unbelievable place and it is no wonder millions come here to camp or just to visit. They now have shuttle buses that go all over the park which helps with the traffic congestion.I’m so glad we weren’t here in the Summer months, as I think it would have been horrific. As we drove into the road leading into the park, about 10 miles from the entrance, there was a detour due to an enormous rock slide that block the entire highway. Then, driving along, you would see signs saying, “rock slide area” and you really hoped that this wasn’t going to be a time when another part of a mountain would give in to gravity. There are huge boulders all over the place in the park due to glaciers doing their thing.

There is a really serious drought condition in California right now so the Yosemite Falls weren’t as spectacular as some photos I have seen of it where it roarsed off the mountain side. It barely trickled but Maurice and I got to the base of it by climbing over many, many boulders and actually cooled off in its mist. This photo is from below looking up.

A view from the side that also gives you a look at some of the splendor of Yosimite.

There is an incredible view of Yosemite from Glacier Point. I put people into this photo to give you an idea of the immenseness of the park. There was a sign here that said at the point where the people are standing there was once ice 700 feet higher. Lots of glacier work and water work done over millions of years.

There is alot of wild life which are very tame. The deer, which are getting near to mating season, are more dangerous than the bears and someone was recently killed when gored by a stag. There were many bear sightings but I never did see one. I almost stepped on a chipmonk as it was so tame feet didn’t scare it. I guess it was waiting for a handout.

I went on a photo walk one day offered by the park-free-and this was one of the photos I took while doing it. I do photo tours myself in Paris so it was nice to see how someone else did it.

The Monterey Aquarium is one of the most famous in the world. When we went it was packed with people as it was Saturday and I think this probably distracts from all that is there but we did get a look at some interesting things.

They have fascinating tanks of jellyfish. It isn’t often that you get an up close look at one in the water-and you don’t have to worry about being stung.

When I was here years ago, this is what you saw when you walked in the front door. It was so striking. We had to walk around to find it this time. Sometimes there will be divers in the tank feeding the fish.

There was an area where you could see sea birds that are only usually seen from a distance up close. They didn’t even seem to notice all of us looking at them.

A cute sea otter floating on his back taking a little nap. They have to be the cutest things ever.

Heading south of Pebble Beach is the famous Big Sur reagion. There are stops all along the way with views of the coast that just take your breath away.

Beautiful blue water crashing on rocks-so spectacular!

This shot shows you how the coast just goes on and on with each view more eye-popping than the last.

A look in the other direction. Sigh. Can you see the bridge? It was built in the 30’s which makes you hope that it has been well maintained. My sister is afraid of heights and ended up sitting on the left side of the back seat so she couldn’t get as good a look at the drop as those on the right.

Part of the beauty-in more ways than one-of being in Pebble Beach is the breath-taking drive along the near-by 17 Mile Road. Along the way are the fabulous views of the shore, houses that you only see in architectural magazines and those phenomenal cyprus trees.

The shapes always get to me.

The very famous Lone Cyprus Tree, now the official emblem of Pebble Beach. It is about 200 years old and held up with a wire and they’ve built a support wall around it.

There is a tradition at the Inn at Spanish Bay where the bag pipes are played as the sun sets. It is a great place to sit and have a drink and listen to the bagpipes sipping a drink and watching the sun set.

We are now in California having a great time exploring Pebble Beach which is on the Monterey Peninsula, one of the most beautiful places in the world.

Love looking in tide pools.

A look at the coast line.

I don’t play golf-I agree with Mark Twain that it ruins a good walk-but I think I might reconsider it with a green with a view like this.

alt=”dsc_0044-copy.jpg” />
I’m always amazed to see vegetation growing on sand dunes.

A sign in the village of a Cotswold village. They obviously raised alot of sheep here-and still do.

It doesn’t seem like you see much clear stained glass in churches. I really liked the light that streamed in from this one.

Isn’t this funny? It’s on an arch of a door from the 13th century of a church we found. Little heads of animals form the arch and the sculpture had this one holding on to the noses of the animals next to it. Wouldn’t you love to know the story behind it?

Isn’t this sweet? It’s the tomb of a church cat that lived in the church yards for fifteen years. I can’t remember the name any more but what a sweet thing to do. It must have been some cat. There is now another cat but it was hiding as there was a dog on the premises.