20 May 2010 -- Yosemite National Park, CA

The opportunity presented itself for us to visit Yosemite National Park. We were visiting friends John and Sandi Turner who lives on Lake Don Pedro and it was just a short distance to the Park. We left early and got back late for there is much to do and see in Yosemite.













The entrance of Yosemite National Park.
The park service conveniently placed a sign just for Janet.















Notice the ear muffs and gloves. Snow was on the ground just up the hill from this location.










Giant Sequoia Tree Hugger Janet



























That's Janet crawling along a downed Giant Sequoia





Janet is standing on the same downed Giant Sequoia in Tuolunme Grove. These Big Trees are almost unbelievingly big. This tree has been down for more than 100 years and will perhaps show very little deterioration in the next 100.

















Janet and Doug at the Tunnel Tree in Tuolumne Grove. This tunnel is large enough for a wagon and team to pass through. This tree was killed when the bark was stripped off, shipped to the World's Fair, reassembled so an unbelieving public could see evidence there were giant trees growing in the West. Hope this type of practice never happens again.







Bridle Veil Falls in Yosemite National Park, CA. as seen from the tunnel viewpoint. This falls is the first major sight that comes into view as the valley floor opens up at the tunnels leading in to the valley.










Bridal Veil Falls viewed from the valley floor.



















And this is Bridal Veil Creek after tumbling down the falls. All the streams in Yosemite were flowing full at this time and that meant all the falls were spectacular.












Yosemite Falls - Perhaps the most famous falls in the west. A series of falls - upper, middle and lower.


















The famous Yosemite Half Dome.


















Illilouette Falls






























The Valley - Yosemite National Park. Taken from the Tunnel View Point. This says it all - El Capitan on the left with Half Dome and Bridle Veil on the right.

















Western Tanager

















Male Magenzer
















This is El Capitan. See the tent on the face. A rock climber settled in for the night.










John & Sandi Turner, Janet and Doug. John took all of the pictures of the falls, also the valley view.

April 2010 -- Bridge to Nowhere, Yuma, Arizona USA

"The Bridge to Nowhere" and why is this noteworthy? The McPhaul Bridge, a 800-foot-long suspension bridge spanning the Gila River and was built in 1929 is now called "The Bridge to Nowhere" because it's closed and has been for many years. At the bridge the Gila River is normally dry but we got there at a most fortunate time, the river was in flood stage. What a perfect time to go kayaking. It's been 15 years since the river was this high.



This was our put in point and this is normally a dirt road crossing the wash. Cars crossing at this point on this day would be 10" under water.




River was very high and flowing. We paddled up stream for several miles to "The Bridge to Nowhere" and the Highway 95 bridge. Going up stream was work but turning around, we floated home.




Lots of Muskrats on the water. Many Yellow-headed Blackbirds and we saw a Beaver also but he was too fast for a picture.



Janet pulled up to the bank to rest in the shade.



Doug setting in the kayak under the Bridge to Nowhere.




And we pulled up for a rest.




Doug and Janet at the Highway 95 bridge north of Yuma.




Janet at Hwy. 95.



This is on the other side of the put in point and we're in the middle of the road. The pile of sand is to keep traffic from driving into the river.

April 2010 -- Tucson, Arizona USA

While in Tucson, AZ we drove to the mountains. For the city dwellers this is a nice diversion from the heat in the valley.



Taking the Catalina Highway up Mt. Lemmon.



That's Tucson in the distance from just a short way up Mt. Lemmon.







As the elevation changed so did the flora, from scrub to Ocotillo and Saguaro to pine forest.




Find water in the desert and it's picture worthy.









And even more worthy if you can get your feet wet.










Birttlebush was in bloom and yellow covered the hillsides.









Wishful thinking










There is a small ski resort on the very top of Mt. Lemmon and a lot of snow for late April but the slopes were closed for the season.

April 2010 -- Sedona, Arizona USA

The WIN's (Wandering Individual's Network) held a gathering in Sedona, AZ and it was a busy time. We visited friends, took several hikes and had a good time.



Doe Mountain hike was short and steep.



Our group of 10+ took the trail to the top of Doe Mountain. A great lookout from the mesa.



We make it to the top.



Looking down from the top of Doe Mountain. Our cars are in that picture somewhere.




This was the lunch stop. A grand view.




Another view from the top of Doe Mt.




And another view.




We're starting back down Doe Mt.



One night Janet and I visited her longtime friends Gary and Linda Smith.




Perhaps they've had one too many.



Another walk on another day. At the start of the hike, this old falling down building came into view. At one time this was a chicken coop.




This hike didn't last very long. We were stopped by very high water and not wanting to get wet up to our belt line, we opted to try this hike another day.




If one hiking trail is impassable, there is another one to choose. This one is called The Bell Rock Loop.




Bell Rock









Another day and another hike. This one into Oak Creek. From up high---















---to the creek bank.


















The water was high, the creek banks covered with wildflowers. As nice a setting as you can imagine.























And then our trail came to high water. The trail starts again directly across two hundred feet of high water and ankle grabbing downed trees. Again we were turned back.








So, we took a side trail that led to a wash and we climbed until we'd had enough.










Hikers Doug and Handlebar. A great time was had in Sedona.