Yosemite

How can you beat a weekend in Yosemite?

They've got it all; great hikes, great views, great weather, great accommodations and great friends to explore it with. We rented a cabin in Wowona, hiked to Inspiration Point,
ate picnic lunches with incredible views of El Capitan and Valley and wildlife,

went to lower Yosemite Falls (since it is fall the Falls are dry), and played hiking games (girls won of course:)).

The next day we hiked to Taft Point (at the end is a great view of El Capitan and a 3200 foot drop).

This is a picture of Benj, Ella and me (we are really tiny) on Taft Point.

Then we went to Glacier Point for an amazing view of Half Dome.

Ella recently did a new trick and performed for the camera while we were there.

Finally, went on an evening stroll through Mariposa Grove and saw the Grizzly Giant.

In case you haven't met him before here are some facts:

~ It is the largest tree in Yosemite and believed to be the 5th largest tree on earth.

~ It is 100 feet around at the base with a diameter of 29-31 feet (conflicting reports), it and is 209 feet high, although it presently has a snag top and once was much higher.

~ The Giant weighs an astounding 2 million pounds and comprising 30,000 cubic feet of lumber, enough to build some 20 homes.

~Its lowest limbs are 6 feet across, and the branches have branches that are the size of large trees. It is spectacular.