YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK - CALIFORNIA

Wednesday, July 3rd - It was a cool morning in Mammoth Lakes.  Most of the people were still sleeping, the streets were empty and we were the only guests in the dining room at a restaurant next to the resort.  The ski lodge we stayed at did not provide complimentary breakfast.  We would not want to complain since the room rate for off-season was reasonable.  The room was comfortable and nicely decorated to look like a log cabin.  After breakfast, we took CA-203 E, merged onto US-395, then CA-120/Tioga Pass Rd.  Yosemite National Park is located in the town of Lee Vining (I never even heard of the name).

We spent most of the day at the park.  We avoided viewing areas that had bus load of tourists.  We kept driving further into the park and found some great spots with no one around.

At a viewing area, we asked someone to take a picture for us.  We then offered to return the favor.  The parents yelled out, "Hey kids, come out here so we could take a family photo."  Three kids, between 7-10 years old, reluctantly came out of the vehicle, each with a handheld game.  One kid said, "It's too hot out here"!

There are millions of people went to Yosemite National Park each year - how many actually enjoyed and appreciated the splendid nature and its true beauty?