Today we leave for the airport taking in the blue sky leaving this great adventure with marvellous memories.
All good things come to an end, but on the news at the airport that we were upgraded to first class the end was to be as good as the rest of the holiday.
As I have discussed over the last few days, are we just lucky, do we make our own luck, or do the lows make the good times even better?
There are so many questions that I will spend the rest of my life trying to answer, but will this be a good holiday I can answer with no!
As we fly past the Isle of Wight I can honestly say it has been an amazingly fantastic holiday. X
It’s time to say goodbye to the beautiful scenic eastern side of California. What a wonderful few days, and so much more to come back to see. As we set off we have a chance to take in the final glimpses of the mountains before setting on the long journey back to busy urban civilisation of silicon city!
What we left
View from hotel
As we approach the city we find our hotel on a very busy junction but with more amazing views although much more yellow than what we had experienced in Yosemite!
But today is the day of nails and hair. Who would know we would have to hunt from mall to mall to find spa’s and hairdressers. What is America coming to? So did I get that pamper?
It felt strange being back in Silicon Valley. Back in the land of small and big technology.
All just round the corner.
Tonight we decided to try another restaurant that we have not been in before and as I am still looking for bears we went to the Black Bear Diner. A Diner covered in bears!!!
Bears
Bears
Everywhere
The menu was news paper and the food, roast turkey, was interesting. Not quite Christmas Day!
Our last day in the park and we decided to go to a completely different area. Mariposa Grove. A mountain covered in large sequoia trees. The sky was blue but a little colder and off we strode once again into the unknown.
The sequacio is a tree with a reddish trunk that grows very tall. It somehow burns through the centre creating a cave like feature or a tunnel, sometimes two fuse together. These trees looked as if they were growing out of our atmosphere and into space. They were definitely out of this world and made me feel like a speck of dust.
Many of the trees had been named in relation to their shape or size. Which made me think as to how we are named. The trees are named in relation to how they turn out where as we are named with hope of what we will be, by association to others or meaning of the name. I imagine what my name would be if it were based on who I have become?!
There were so many trees as we went higher and higher. Twice as high as the top of Snowdon, to those amazing views that we had become used to.
On the way back down there were more trees and I learned new ways of using the camera by copying others! Hence some of the strange angles. Never too old to learn!
And of course there were more animals and birds. This is what were in search of:
This is what we found!
No bears! Although they were seen in this area today. We also saw flowers!
Following the 3 hour hike it was time to find lunch and what a great place to stop at the pioneers museum. Once again something completely different in this amazingly beautiful national park. How interesting how we decide what and how parts of the world should be preserved. Thank you John Muir for choosing to preserve this and enable others to save other parts of the USA.
David behind bars
As we left the park for the last time we saw the signs for wild fires and there in the distance was the smoke. Not something we wanted to see. It sparked the discussion about prior to our ability to manage and extinguish fires what happened? Is this a natural way of actually protecting the land, killing virus and such like, making the ground more fertile for re-growth. Or was everything destroyed and took millennia to re-grow. I am guessing the former.
Our next stop was Bass lake before returning to our hotel for the last time. I will be sad to leave here in the morning.
Another glorious day. Raring to go we travel back into the Yosemite national park to hit the trails. We were planning to spend today hiking, seeing if we could find waterfalls with water! Enjoying wildlife and generally spending time outside in the beautiful mountainous countryside.
As we travelled we stopped at a couple of monuments and historical buildings
But today was about the hiking. We decided to park up in the centre and then walk for the rest of the day. Good plan although this resulted in us walking for a couple of hours prior to us starting our planned walk. Of course that resulted in 2 hours of stunning views we hadn’t planned on!
Eventually we were ready to go to find the waterfall with water, we thought we were on an easy walk to the foot of the falls but somehow we found ourselves hiking for over an hour uphill to the falls. It was so worth it. We met people we had taken photographs for yesterday and exchanged pleasantries, back to that connection theme. At one point we were about to turn round and go back but as we turned the next corner we had the first glimpse of the falls.
We were spurred on to get as close as possible, up even steeper and more rugged terrain, but ultimately worth it.
Vernal falls
As we returned we saw more falls in the distance. So there is water in September, however all the posters show each waterfall at least ten times the size, so we were lucky to see any falls with water. Lucky or as I say it was meant to be.
On the walk there were obviously more amazing views. How can everywhere you look be so beautiful? I am going to really look for all the beauty there is around me rather than take it for granted.
There was also so much more to see
Animals
Birds
Flowers
As we walked back we came across a really beautiful still river. It was so serene and made me feel at peace with everything.
David remembered he had to protect himself from the drop bears. Which reminded me that I haven’t yet come across the bears here.
On our way back to the hotel, we stopped for an evening hike to another waterfall. En route there was a sign saying mountain lions seen recently which prevented others walking but I thought if I came across one I could get a photo. That didn’t happen!!
Chilnualna falls
Back to the hotel for a good meal David’s having grilled salmon and me a big burger! We all have to be naughty sometimes!
Today we woke with bright skies and with the anticipation we went to bed with.
Our first stop was for fuel, the most expensive fuel in USA!
Good job the fuel was in such a beautiful sunny setting
As we travelled further into the national park the stunning views were breath taking. From the sunlight in the trees to the amazing views from top of mountains to the views from the centre of the glacier.
As we continued to travel in that an old hymn went round in my head.
O Lord my God, When I in awesome wonder, Consider all the worlds Thy Hands have made; I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,Thy power throughout the universe displayed.
When through the woods, and forest glades I wander,And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees.When I look down, from lofty mountain grandeurAnd see the brook, and feel the gentle breeze.
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,How great Thou art, How great Thou art.
The awesome wonder of everything here made my soul sing. Whatever your faith, or beliefs we can and should let our souls sing at all the wonderful awesome things there are around us.
The rest of today is summed up in photos
Views
Waterfalls, with and without water
Birds
Animals
And more
We returned back to the hotel exhausted and exilerated. We tried out the local smoke house for dinner which was great. A few youngsters running a traditional American business. A bit confusing for some of the visitors, but they were an inspiration.
Today we leave San Francisco and head for the hills! What an experience it has been. I am not sorry to say farewell but I am really glad I came and had a really great time.
San Francisco is a city of stark contrasts which are hard to comprehend. There are good contrasts such as natural beauty and man made beautiful architecture.
But most are real contractions either immense wealth or abject poverty, leaders in green environments and yet filth in the streets, a total fitness focus yet obvious mental and ill health unattended to, I would even say the weather fell into these contrast either hot and sunny or gloomy and really cold. I know everywhere has contrast which is good, but is it always so stark? do other places compromise better so the differences are not so noticeable? Is that acceptable? Should we not all strive for the best?
As we leave the city and those thoughts behind we travel for several miles with not too much to see
The underneath of the bay bridge
Sky
And
Road
And trees
A lovely breakfast at ihop and a little retail therapy before we were on our way again
Miles and miles went by hour after hour and then in the distance was it mountains we could see?
Then closer and closer
At this hotel we were greeted by the natural residents of Yosemite
I go to bed with great anticipation for the next few days.
Another disturbed night leads to another beautiful day. Sunday in San Francisco obviously starts with a fitness burst. A 10k run or a swim in the harbour!
We would have joined them but needed to be at the boat by 9 to cross over the water to the islands. Today we were visiting two islands: Angel Island and Alcatraz. But first we had to get to Pier 33 which was an hours walk from the hotel.
At the Pier hundreds of people were going to Alcatraz but fewer were in the line for Angel island.
We boarded the smaller vessel with our fellow passengers and set off to the islands
On the way to Angel island we passed Alcatraz, a rock with a prison on. There was one similarity in the two islands that being they were both used to incarcerate people, prisoners or immigrants, but beyond that there was not much else the same.
It is interesting how many prisons are on islands. 3 on Sheppey, 3 on Isle of Wight, 1 on Jersey, 1 on Guernsey. Water seems to be seen by the authorities as a good line of defence to those who try to escape. However like everything else when someone wants to escape they will find a way, but escaping may not always be the answer sometimes it’s important to stand and face what’s in front of you.
Angel island has a long history from Mexican rule to being an army base, providing detention for immigrants and much more but is now retained as a State Park of natural beauty. Something returned to natural beauty after difficult years
History
Views
Between islands we saw birds
Flags
Flying machines
And so much more.
Then off to Alcatraz. What a contrast. Cold, windy, somber, dirty, harsh and haunting. There were many stories as to who was in the prison and some of the things that happened including escape attempts.
There was debate about how to treat prisoners, and currently there is a prisoners strike in USA who are fighting for equal pay. The discussion board went from agreeing the motion, to agreeing but then expecting the prisoners to pay for all board and lodging through to prisoners lost their rights when they chose to break the law.
The prison closed in 1963 due to lack of funding, however I would like to think it closed due to the inhumane conditions.
The outside not to bad, possibly what a prison would look like but inside was soul wrentching
And the outside area so confined, but able to see and hear the freedom from the city
The debate will continue, punishment by locking up, depriving individuals and treating them as it is felt they should be treated. Or, yes lock up as needed, but find a way to value people, give them skills, teach them respect, what an opportunity our penal system has to change lives.
On returning to San Francisco and after contemplating all we had seen. We went into the ships cockpit and discussed the new hybrid boats with the captain.
Having seen the ocean cleaner yesterday today we were on boats with solar panels and wind turbine. The state is really advancing the eco-friendly agenda. It is strange considering how dirty parts of the city are, yet another one of those San Francisco contradictions.
Back on land, time to take in the sun, then dine on the waters edge just watching the world go by.
Another fantastic day with time to reflect and put all things into perspective
After a very disruptive night with much commotion outside, we went out into the beautiful sunshine on today’s adventure. We started with breakfast down in the fisherman’s wharf.
We were set for the day. Our target was the Golden Gate Bridge, walking and taking in the sights, which of course started with a sea lion!
Good
Morning
The day was set, sun shining, wind blowing and a bridge in our sights.
Alcatraz and the town behind us:
Our walk was a long one, on which we saw several fire engines but no fires, that’s probably the best way.
As we reached the bridge we realised that we could walk to the other side. So we did. The views were amazing.
On the other side we planned to have a drink, but there were no drinks! But there was a memorial and more fantastic views
On the way back I started to think about the connection the bridge makes from one side of the river to the other and the connections we make. A friend once described to me human connections being like a ball made from elastic bands, the more bands the bigger the ball, some touching, some may perish but always part of that ball. In the same way the longer we live the more connections we make some that remain for life, some just very momentary, some interlinked but always there. What matters is the quality of the connection/relationship. Whether it’s a single interaction or a lifelong relationship. The bridge created a strong, reliable, effective, attractive connection. I wonder how people would describe my connections? Hopefully something positive.
Also on the way back over the bridge we saw an ocean cleaner. Who knew there was such a thing?
Time to find a drink before leaving the bridge and moving to another great connector? The Disney museum.
As we moved off to our next destination we looked back at the bridge and forward to the town. All so beautiful
So Disney was a challenge to find and not what we expected. We are used to big and in your face, but this was the opposite. A subtle, detailed museum, with the history of Walt, his family and his business. Really amazing! Firstly we went to a special exhibit “nine old men” describing the best original animators of the business. I found a 10th old man!!!
Then in the main museum there was so much to see
So much I didn’t know!
On our way back to the hotel we became lost, but that’s a good thing when you stumble on places like this
A little oasis
Back to the hotel after walking 23.63km somehow David walked 3km more and being on our feet for 12hours.
After very little sleep in our down town hotel, we rose early to undertake an hours walk to be at the dock by 7.30am. It was a cold and gloomy day. Was this going to be the first bad day of the trip? We brushed those thoughts away in the cold wind as we traipsed down the empty streets. We arrived early at pier 39 so had just enough time to go and see the Sealions and found a great ‘heart of hope’.
Heart of hope
The time had come for our boat trip to see what wild life their was in the Pacific.
We set sail in to the cold dark morning, under the Golden Gate Bridge, to see many birds, porpoises and more sealions and seals (unfortunately we were moving fast and so were the creatures, so photography became difficult)
As the boat went further out to sea the colder and darker it became. The ‘heart of hope’ was not on our side, so it seemed. It’s strange that when things seem grey and dismal, you can start to believe that, that is how life is. But we wouldn’t give up, we kept on looking and then about an hour into the trip the shout came and there they were
Mum
A mother and calf. It’s so easy to give up but perseverance usually wins. We looked on in wonder for several minutes as the whales came up and dived back into the water. The two hump backs keeping there distance but there for us to see. The weather may have been gloomy and we may have been cold, but the warm feeling inside was real.
As we made our way back the sun started to shine and there were more and more creatures about, jumping the waves, flying overhead or just floating in the water.
As the temperature warmed, someone had quick nap on the boat!
Some people can sleep anywhere
Back on terra firma and what to do? The sun was shining but we were still cold, time for a drink and plan.
Coffee
&
Plan
We decided to wander and view the city. As we did this we realised that there was so much that we couldn’t do it all like:
And we saw but did not go in/on:
So so much, and much more but today was about taking it all in, being amazed by everything around us. However it did strike me how quickly we become immune to the poverty, to the people asking for money, until we saw a group of, I guess, volunteers bringing out food and blankets for those who were in need. This created areas of the city that attracted the homeless, once again I ask myself, with so much wealth in 2018 so many powerful brains, why have we not solved this?
We had walked for miles around the city taking in all the sights and were starting to feel hungry, when we came across an amazing diner. Amazing in many ways.
The first, the place:
Family favourite
The food and drinks:
YUMMY
The atmosphere:
But most impressive and the thing that brought a tear to my eye was when the member of staff who could sign was called from his job to come and take the order from a couple whose first language was signing. They didn’t have to point and be embarrassed they had a full conversation smiling with pleasantries. That’s how this world should be, accepting and communicating with all.
Just a little time for retail therapy (did you know there are spiral escalators?) before returning to the hotel.
Waking again to beautiful views, and the sun shining. Today the adventure of mixing wonderful nature and mans skills begins as we head to the Napa Valley.
But first a drive through more amazing countryside, as the mist rolls in over the mountain tops I wonder what today would hold. We were looking forward to the blend of trains and the flavours of the valley.
On entering the station we were taken back in time, a quick history lesson before boarding the locomotive which would take us on our journey through the valley. The sun was out and we were full of expectation.
We were seated at our table alongside a great couple from New Zealand. Not only new experiences but to share with new friends makes the whole experience even better.
Sharing stories, over the most delicious food as we travelled into the country. Learning about New Zealand, each other’s families and what brought us to being together in the same place. So enjoyable and relaxing.
On our arrival at the vineyard we were warmly welcomed and shown around the award winning winery, the pride the employees had in their work and in the boss was second to none. Although, being in the environment you could understand why you would want to work there, sun shining, fantastic views and a great atmosphere, why would you want to work anywhere else. However, like Silicon Valley, my skills lay elsewhere.
After a couple of hours it was time to return to the train lounge for desert. More chatting and laughter over coffee, more amazing views. When things come together in such a way it is impossible to doubt the goodness and kind ness in this world.
Sadly all good things come to an end, and soon we were on our way, to our next adventure. We travelled into San Francisco, en route we caught our first glimpses of Alcatraz and the Golden Gate Bridge through the mist that was once again rolling in.
Just for Rish
Hopefully these will be clearer tomorrow. One thing I have learned is not to let David book city hotels. All the rural hotels were in beautiful settings and were quaint. This is probably the opposite, initially I felt a little nervous but that passed.
As we walked down to the water (about an hour) we passed luxury car garages, with homeless people outside begging. Such a juxtaposition, I remain astounded and repulsed at the wealth and poverty in this world. How can this be in one of the richest countries in the world. I know that if everyone was given a £1million that in days there we be those with billions and those with nothing, but surely in 2018 we can do better than this!?
As we went down to the piers more amazing sights were to behold filling us with joy and hope for the visit but also for the future.
And then as we came to the end of the pier there they were:
Sea lions, hundreds of them, barking and settling for the evening. Right there on the docks.
As it was late we had to decide what we would eat for supper, we had eaten well today, so no need for McDonalds. No tonight we stepped up to a take out of:
What trees?
