yosemite in the rain

last weekend, d. and i took a trip back to yosemite. i haven't been back since we met almost a year ago on a backpacking trip (he was my trip leader. heheh). i was so excited to get out of the city, and to spend some time with nature...and with d, of course.


(the granite cliffs hid from us in the clouds most of the weekend)

after a ridiculously difficult drive out of san francisco (delayed by a car fire, then stuck in traffic), we arrived in yosemite valley (not the highlands), because......

It rained friday night, saturday and saturday night. which means it snowed in the backcountry (doug's favorite backpacking grounds). so, we laid low in the valley.


(yay backpacking!! er--between the car and the campsite)

and, lucky me, we splurged on a breakfast at the historic ahwanee hotel. beautiful - beams, structure (everything my dad always mentioned on our trips to historical buildings). the buffet was $20. we went for the a la carte.

fortified by some hot oatmeal and muffins, we set out.....to hang out amid german tourists, retirees and young families in the rainsoaked Yosemite Visitor's Center. It was a fun, low-key day. We ate, walked, chatted, and took a nap in our cozy tent.


(we saw a bear in a tree!!! can you see it?)

sunday, the clouds cleared and we went for a hike. it was beautiful - cool, moist, and the granite peaks were smoothed occasionally with the remaining clouds.


(i can....FINALLY see the sky!)

it was a vigorous hike. but, despite not having worked out regularly in a WHILE, i made it to the top of nevada falls! and the view was something else.


(the falls! the falls!)

on the way home, we chowed down at d'boni's (the same place we had eaten a year ago with our backpacking group. aw...). pizza with pineapple. yummmmmmmm......