Edo and I got to go on a 5 day trip to Yosemite National Park recently. We celebrated our 32nd wedding anniversary there and enjoyed every minute of it! Yosemite is a wonderful place to visit despite the many people that are also there enjoying their stay. There are people from around the world that come to view the spectacular vistas of Yosemite. As you walk around the valley floor, you hear many, many different accents indicating this. 

Upon first entering through the gates of the Park, you see lovely giant sequoias and other type coniferous trees. 

As you travel the paved road into the Park, you are taken by the lushness of the forest you pass through. Soon, between the trees, you see sheer granite walls, so massive it takes your breath away and you audibly gasp, (well, I did anyway!).  Behold, the beauty of Yosemite!

After checking into the historic Ahwahnee Lodge, built in 1927, we toured the grand Hotel.  It is stunning, with towering ceilings and Indian artifacts decoratively placed about the many lobbies and sitting areas.

I love old buildings for the mystery of it and wonder at the people long ago that inhabited such beautiful places. This is one such place I will never tire of visiting. We had comfortable accommodations and delicious food served in the sumptuous dining hall. One special meal was the Brown Trout Meuniere which I would love to make someday. I had it twice, it was that good. They also make a mean Basil Gimlet, using small bits of fresh basil, my favorite, in the drink. Yumm!

One of the many lovely sitting areas in the Lodge. 

The Sentinel, granite monolith. 

Yosemite falls on a misty Autumn morning. 

A rainy day creek fed by Yosemite Falls. 

Le Grande Vista, so Awesome in every sense of the word!

I remember, as a kid, when Dad and Mom would take us to Yosemite. At night there was a magnificent display off one of the dry waterfall cliffs. The men would build up a huge fire made of bark and drop it over the granite edge. It would tumble down to the amazement of the crowds safely below. Then, a lovely lady would sing this song, The Indian Love Call, which is now a favorite of mine. It is said that many eyes were damp and there was a noticeable reverence in the crowd for this most beauteous display. Here is one version of that song.