The 7 day trek of the west has begun and the first stop was Yosemite NP. The whole group (me & gary + 11 others) seem pretty sound and all of the same age so that was a good start. An early start and a long drive was not a good beginning but once we reached the NP it was all good. We were supposed to be camping but it was chucking it with rain, snow lying from the previous week and below freezing temps predicted for that night...so hotel it was. This wasn't a bad thing as it included a swimming pool & hot tub...the life of luxury for a traveller(better not get used to it)

Chilled out that night and got to know the group better. There were only two other boys but they both cool & up for a drink and a laugh. Went and played pool with the locals (it was a small village so they were pretty wierd).

Next day went walking through the valleys in the NP, in amongst the waterfalls and forests...very beautiful! Had to stop the walk short as rocks were falling from above. We all didn't mind turning back as we were all wet and the thought of the hot tub & dry clothes was so appealing! That night two of the girls challenged me & gary to a game of pool...they won (coz we potted the black) so we had to make breakfast (shoe on the other foot)

Next stop was Las Vegas and the promise of 20 degrees!