We decided we would head to Yosemite a little later this year in efforts to arrive after the road to Glacier Point had been opened.  We ran into loads of difficulty while attempting to reserve three camp sites for two nights in late May.  We didn't get what we were aiming for, but we did get sites to accommodate everyone, even if they weren't right next to each other.  One would have thought that by May 21st we'd have good weather and open roads so we could hike the Panorama Trail. (I've been wanting to hike the Panorama Trail in the spring for several years and keep missing the opening by just a day or two).  Well, thanks to El Nino (or climate change) the incessant rains this spring thwarted us again.  But off we went to Yosemite Valley for what was another fabulous weekend!  And the best part of this year, was that Lani and Kyle were able to drive up from L.A. and join us.  SO FUN!

The forecast for the weekend wasn't in our favor (much improved from last year, but still way too wet), but overall we were pretty lucky.  We did get some rain in the valley and snow up top, but only when we were hiking and it didn't impact dinner, breakfast or chilling by the fire. We considered ourselves pretty darn fortunate.  We had several newbies in the group and we wanted to make sure they got to see as much as possible.  Although we ended up splitting up by mid-afternoon, we started off together on the Yosemite Falls trail.  Most everyone turned around at the base of Upper Yosemite Falls, but the Kalemba/Tanner contingent keep going to the top.  The top was pretty chilly and the views were limited due to the clouds so we didn't stay long.  But we were there long enough to experience a full-on snow storm.  The snow stuck with us for a good 45 minutes or so, concealing the falls as we made it down the mountain.  This was the latest I've come to Yosemite in the spring and the first time I've been snowed on. Crazy weather!

We drove Kyle and Collin to see the "Tunnel View" at the end of the Valley before returning to our campsite to join the crew.  They were busy preparing our dutch oven dinners and dessert which were super delicious.  We tested out Lee's new birthday present (Coleman stove camp oven) and baked biscuits.  They also turned out deliciously.  I think we're really going to like that addition to our gear.  We sang happy birthday to Lee and Erika, Kyle taught the boys a new fire trick that kept some of them entertained for significant chunks of time, and roasted Starbursts and s'mores.  It was a successful night around the fire.

Sunday morning was GORGEOUS and warm.  We decided to go all out for breakfast and made our favorite French Toast recipe - it was a hit.  We then packed up and headed over to find "the rock" for Church on the Rock. This is always my favorite sacrament meeting of the year - made even better by the warm sunshine that peaked through the trees onto the rock.  We then headed to the trail towards Vernal Falls when we passed by a big old brown bear in the meadow by Happy Isles.  Although I've seen bears in the campsites at night, this was the first time I've seen them down low in the valley.  That was cool!

We met up with Lani and Kyle at the bridge looking up to Vernal Falls where we snapped a quick photo and everyone but those related to me and Lee left to head home. The fam going up the Mist Trail to the top of Vernal Falls, where Lee and I continued on to the base of Nevada Falls.  I LOVE Yosemite in the spring with the abundantly flowing waterfalls and fewer people than normal.  We got another dusting of snow that afternoon at the Falls before we went back to the trailhead.  When we arrived at the trailhead there were a couple of gaping holes in the back of our pickup from where our cooler and plastic tub had been.  In their place was a citation from the park ranger  Apparently when it says "Food is not to be left in vehicles after dark" it really means "Food is not to be left in vehicles 24 hours a day".  So off we went to retrieve our belongings from the impound locker.  The ranger on duty agreed with our reasoning and confusion 100%, but couldn't do anything about the ticket.  :(  

We certainly enjoyed our weekend in the park this year.  We took lots of photos (more than possible to insert here) that you can get to from the gallery.   We were happy so many friends were able to join us this year and that we didn't get flooded out!  Thanks to everyone for coming - especially Lani and Kyle for making the long drive up!