We planned to spend holidays during "Thanksgiving" at Groveland. That was why we embarked from Ravi's residence at Fremont in Honda Odyssey on 25-11-2010. Groveland is at a distance of 143 miles from Fremont. We drove through Dublin,Pleasanton,Liver moore, Tracy , Manteca,Escalon, and Oakdale. We passed through numerous almond orchards ,vineyards and dairy farms on either side of the road during our journey.We came across them especially while we were passing through Manteca,Escalon, and Oakdale. California produces about 80 percent of the world's almonds. They are the state's No. 1 farm export. We had a pleasant ride through out.When we had only nine miles to go , we came to a sign that said “Caution,steep winding road next 6miles." Therafterwards , it was really a fantastic heart throbbing drive. Ultimately, we reached Groveland California a historic town. The whole town of Groveland was being decorated for ensuring Christmas festival. Groveland is full of oak and pine trees, and the mountains. Groveland is a travel and vacation destination in its own right. It was formerly known as Garrotte. Groveland CA was a western boomtown during the Gold Rush era in California and home to some rough and tumble folk. History comes to the forefront in this quaint town, where we can get a true taste of the Old West. Groveland is also home to a great "downtown" with a park, shops, restaurants and the famous/infamous Iron Door Saloon said to be California's oldest continuously-operating saloon. The famous Iron Door Saloon is an establishment existing since the mid 1850s. The original iron doors on the front were made in England and brought to America by a sailing ship that had to sail around the tip of South America. Inside there are more historic treats, including a fascinating natural history museum. On weekends, one can enjoy live music there.
We stayed in a vacation home at Groveland. It was located on Jimmie Bell Street and was numbered 18992. It was owned by Alan and Susan. It was a nice decent house and was maintained well. Bedrooms , livingroom, kitchen and everything there were in order and well arranged. There were billiards table, table tennis table, television set, telephone and internet too. Besides, there was a library of books. In a nutshell,the house was fully furnished and there was no room to complain at all. We were very comfortable and enjoyed our stay there. One of the most popular spots in Groveland is the Pine Mountain Lake Marina, with many water activities, such as swimming at the beach boating and more. We enjoyed the sight of number of deers and stag near Pine Mountain Lake. Pine Mountain Lake area is a planned community with over 4,000 residential lots and its own golf course, country club, airport and stables. One can enjoy horseback riding arranged through the stables at Pine Mountain Lake. Near Groveland you’ll find rafting on the beautiful Tuolumne River provides special adventure. Other attractions of place are Garrotte Hanging Tree and the Bret Harte cabin. On Garrotte Hanging Tree about 60 people were hanged in the Old West. Bret Harte cabin, built in 1853 was the home of Chaffee and Chamberlain, who were subjects of the Bret Harte Story, "Tennessee's Partner. Roads around Groveland have interesting names: Second Garrote, Hells Hollow, Priest Grade, Big Creek Shaft and Old Ward's Ferry all speak to a different era.
On 26-11-2010, early in the morning ,we embarked on our journey to Yosemite. Incidentally, it was my second visit to Yosemite. It was winter and weather was chilly. We were wearing warm clothes to shield ourselves from biting cold.The distance between Groveland and Yosemite National Park entrance on Highway 120 was only 26 miles.It was only an half-hour drive on a car.On our way we came across heaps of snow everywhere. Conifers trees don't lose leaves or needles in winter. Deciduous trees lose their leaves every winter. At Yosemite National Park entrance, we got tires of Honda Odyssey chained to enable us to drive through snow and ice smoothly. It was only a 10 minutes job and yet they charged us 40$ for it. Whenever I recollect Yosemite, I wonder whether is it possible for poets to describe the beauty of Yosemite in their poems. I doubt,whether is it possible for artists to paint all the sceneries that they come across there and whether is it possible for a photographer to capture everything in their camera. Yosemite is a place where nature is at one of its best. It's one of the world's natural wonders. Nature weaves its magic here. Amidst nature both old and young would be bubbling with enthusiasm .As a result, those who have no love for nature would develop a love for nature at Yosemite.However, old or big one may be,they feel in the arms of nature that they are only a child. In fact,one would not like to leave the park after their visit at Yosemite and often they leave the park with much reluctance only.
There’s nothing quite like visiting Yosemite National Park in the winter. Covered with snow, the awesome natural settings of the park take on a new life that leaves travellers awestruck with its winter beauty.Yosemite appears like a Scandinavian country in winter. Despite the fact that some roads leading to popular attractions are closed during the winter, there’s still plenty to do and see in Yosemite during the winter months.
Nature is so powerful,beautiful and wonderful at Yosemite that it makes one dumb.One forgets all their worries
and they become one amidst it there. A man becomes a child in the midst of nature. Young ,old and everybody like and enjoy nature. Everybody agrees with Keats that a thing of beauty is a joy for ever. More one likes the nature more beautiful it appears. We would not know what or where to look at. Everything attracts.Both young and old play in snow with snowballs in winter there. A snowman built by them is a treat to watch at that time. Water levels are generally low in streams and lakes in winter at Yosemite. In winter Yosemite attracts us with breathtaking snow capped scenery, gushing waterfalls fuelled by melting snow and ice, and most importantly uncrowded spaces. Even though it was winter hundreds of people were there on that trail leading to Yosemite falls. The floor was slippery. It was biting cold and I felt that I was almost frozen. My attention was on Yosemite falls. At that moment, an American made out that I am an Indian. He exchanged a smile with me.He was under
the impression that such falls are not there in India. Thereafter, I could not make much headway. I and Asha returned to Food Court nearby and had a cup of coffee.
My first visit to Yosemite was in May -June 1996 , fourteen years ago when Nikhil and Neha were not even born. Ravi had bought a new car by name 'Mazda' to take us around at that time. We were longing to see Yosemite because of an article in Kannada Magazine 'Sudha'. It was our first visit to America. It was Ravi, Roopa, Asha, Arun and I during that trip. Arun was in Alameda due to internship with Intel. It was from Alameda we began our trip. It was spring then. Roopa was pregnant at that time. Sky was clear, weather was pleasant and everywhere it was green at that time. There was absolutely no snow at all. We stayed in a cottage in Curry Village for a day. Curry Village is a unique and magnificent place to stay. Curry Village is in the heart of Yosemite. Curry Village sits in an ideal wooded area in Yosemite Valley directly beneath Glacier Point and next to the Merced River with stunning views of Half Dome. Mirror Lake is a short walk from the camp as is Yosemite Falls. Staircase Falls, on Gossamer Creek, drops into the valley directly behind Curry Village from Glacier Point. Merced River was flowing without any hindrance slowly and steadily. We came across a fallen tree on its bank. We took rest on it we roamed on sandy bank of Merced River. We had numerous photographs in and around that area. We went to glacier point in our 'Mazda'. We had a look down from there. It was an amazing scene. Vehicles parked in the Curry Village appeared like toy cars. Similarly, all constructions appeared tiny and funny from glacier point. We had a close look at Half Dome from glacier point. Half Dome is a granite dome. Half Dome was nearly as whole as it ever was. The impression from the valley floor that this is a round dome which has lost its northwest half is an illusion. Half Dome is a symbol of Yosemite National Park.
Yosemite National Park is visited by more than 3 million people every year. Yosemite National Park is one of the main features on the California state. The size of Yosemite National Park is approximately 761,266 acres or 308,073 hectares. Soon after, we enter Yosemite National Park, we come across Wawona Tunnel. As we emerge out Wawona Tunnel, we get an amazing view of Yosemite Valley and its major features. Some of the most popular destinations in the park are its cliffs. Popular among rock climbers are the El Capitan cliff, the Half Dome and the Sentinel Rock. The Sentinel is 4,800 ft high and the Half Dome 3,000 ft. There are nearly 2,000 plant species and trees. It isalso the home of the famous Giant Sequoia trees. They are the Tuolumne Grove, the Mariposa Grove and the Merced Grove . These trees can grow to several hundred feet high. They also live for thousands of years.
Among the most prominent river systems in the park are the Tuolumne and Merced River systems. The canyons are 4,000 ft deep. The Tuolumne River drains the whole northern portion of Yosemite Park. This isabout 1,800 sq km . In contrast, the Merced River drains an area of 1,300 sq km.
The size of Yosemite National Park allows room for 3,000 lakes each more than 100 sq m. There are also a couple of reservoirs and streams totaling 2,700 km. There are also meadow habitats with elevations 3,000 to 11,000 ft.
Glacier Point is a viewpoint above Yosemite Valley, in California, USA. It is located on the south wall of Yosemite Valley at an elevation of 7,214 feet. Glacier Point is 3,200 feet above Curry Village. The point offers a superb view of Yosemite National Park's Yosemite Valley, including Yosemite Falls, Half Dome, Vernal Fall, Nevada Fall, and Clouds Rest.
There are also numerous waterfalls in the park, most of which are packed in one section. The collection of waterfalls in Yosemite National Park is one of the most magnificent in the world, 5 of the Yosemite Valley's falls are among the 10 highest waterfalls on earth.They are found along glacier steps and hanging valleys. The highest is the Yosemite Falls at 2,425 ft and it is the world’s fifth tallest. Yosemite Falls are actually made up of three different waterfalls.The Upper Yosemite Fall (1,430 ft), the Middle Cascades (675 ft), and Lower Yosemite Fall (320 ft). A hike to the top of Upper Yosemite Fall would takes one all day. It is a 7-mile round trip.
Another well known waterfall is Ribbon Falls which has a drop of 1,612 ft. Another popular waterfall is Bridalveil Fall which can be viewed from the Tunnel View east of the Wawona Tunnel. When the wind blows briskly, the waterfall will appear to be falling sideways in Bridalveil Fall. Bridalveil Fall is 617 ft and flows year round.The primary source of Bridalveil Falls is Ostrander Lake, some 9.9 miles to the south.The Ahwahneechee tribe believed that Bridalveil Fall was home to a vengeful spirit named Pohono which guarded the entrance to the valley, and that those leaving the valley must not look directly into the waterfall lest they be cursed. They also believed that inhaling the mist of Bridalveil Fall would improve one's chances of marriage.
Illilouette Fall (370 ft.) is visible from below on the John Muir Trail. From Washburn Point, just before you get to Glacier Point, there's a more spectacular view of its brink and stony gorge.
Vernal Fall (317 ft.) and Nevada Fall (594 ft.) are visible from the Mist Trail. and rewards hikers with a refreshing, rainbow-filled shower on hot spring days.
Horsetail Fall (1000 ft) is a seasonal waterfall flowing off the eastern cliffs of El Capitan. This Yosemite waterfall’s location affords a spectacular effect intermittently during the last two weeks of February. During this time, it is backlit by the sun causing it to glow orange as though it were on fire.The size of Yosemite National Park provides space for dozens of ephemeral waterfalls.
The biggest glacier in Yosemite Park is Lyell Glacier.There are 225,510 acres in the forests. There are also 250 species of reptiles, birds, fish and other animals in the park. The American Black Bear, Bobcat, White headed Woodpecker are just among the animals to be seen there.
Yosemite Valley is a glacial valley in the western Sierra Nevada mountains of California, carved out by the Merced River. The valley is about 8 miles long and up to a mile deep, surrounded by high granite summits such as Half Dome, El Capitan, and Cloud's Rest, and densely forested with pines. A multitude of streams including Tenaya, Illilouette and Bridalveil Creeks join in the valley, and flow out of the valley's mouth as the Merced River, which eventually flows to the Pacific Ocean. Valley makes up the heart of any Yosemite National Park adventure. The most notable feature of the park is its countless rock formations, crafted over millions of years by glaciers and erosion.The valley is renowned for its natural beauty, and is widely regarded as the centerpiece of Yosemite National Park. All of the park’s most popular destinations like Yosemite Falls, Nevada Falls, Glacier Point can be found in the Yosemite Valley's majestic landscape.There are both hiking trail loops that stay within the valley and trail heads that lead to higher elevations, all of which afford glimpses of the park's many scenic wonders.Yosemite Valley represents only one percent of the park area.