Half Dome and Vernal Falls Back in my single days I would plan a trip to Yosemite every spring.  While we have been successful at getting to Yosemite most every year since we’ve been married, it’s been FIVE years since we camped.   We were SO glad to go back!

This winter we were talking with some of our good friends who have moved to the Bay Area in the last couple of years and hadn’t yet been to Yosemite.  That was all the motivation we needed to pick a weekend and get ourselves out there.   Getting campsites is a race and we shared our strategery with Jenn and within 30 seconds of the reservation window opening, we had three sites right next to each other.   30 seconds after that, ALL sites at Yosemite were booked.  We felt like we won the lottery.

In preparation for our big trip this summer, Lee and I took the Friday off and had grand plans of hiking the Four Mile Trail before everyone arrived Friday evening.  An uncooperative plumbing problem the night before and the morning of our departure threw a kink into those plans.   While we did arrive “early” to Yosemite, it wasn’t early enough for a hike.  Instead we hung and snoozed in the hammock and took it easy before the crew arrived.    

Steak Tinfoil Dinners! This was the first time Lee and I had camped in Yosemite so late in the year and it was actually hot!  We loved it.  We didn’t even need a fire or coats for warmth.  It was incredible.  We did need a fire to cook dinner though – and boy did we cook!  I have to say this was one of our more successful camping   Friday night we made delicious steak tin foil dinners, loaded with vegetables and followed it with tin foil apple crisps.  The Gutierrez boys impressed us and ate every bite. 

The Crew at Glacier Point

Saturday morning we were up and out early. We caught the 8:30am bus to Glacier Point so we could hike the Panorama Trail.  Which in our opinion, is the best way to see Yosemite for your first time.  Although the drought California is in has taken a toll on Yosemite and water falls are running quite low, the views are still spectacular.  We hiked the trail with full packs (training mode) and the Gutierrez boys moved much faster than we did.  They were great little hikers and we had a perfectly paced day – arriving back at camp sometime after 4pm.    

Blonde Brownies

We all then enjoyed a leisurely and warm evening at camp with Joy, Collin and Mila.   Dinner did not disappoint that night either.  We experimented with two new Dutch oven dishes and they were the best!  We made pizzas and blonde brownies.  They were a hit and I’m pretty sure they will be a staple for every future car camping trip we take.    We also had fun teaching the boys how to roast Starbursts.

After everyone turned in, Lee and I headed out to the valley floor to check out how things looked under a full moon.  It was gorgeous.  Lee had fun capturing the beauty and even managed to catch the lights of three midnight climbers on El Capitan.   It was very cool.

Cute little Mila Sunday the Gutierrez clan headed out early to explore the south end of the park.  We stayed and spent a beautiful day in the valley with Joy, Collin and Mila.  It was so hot that we found a nice beach along the Merced river and below Cap where we picnicked, napped and swam.  Boy was it relaxing.  We all had a hard time finding the inertia and desire to pick up and go home.   

The weekend really couldn’t have been any nicer.  Pictures of the weekend are here.