2 days later and I still wasn't sure what bought people to Yosemite. It was dramatic, high cliffs, rivers, pools, meadows - but not enough to pull so many people. The park is in the was in the middle of areas with high populations - SF, LA etc a bit like the peak district. It was when we hired bikes for the day and rode around the area that finally convinced me. In Yosemite they had had problems with car pollutions and too many people and so had made many of the road around Yosemite village one way, or completely closed them off to cars. They put on bus services to take people the tourist routes - only about 6 miles in total to reduce pressure on car parking and traffic. The places where there were no cars and where we cruised along on bikes were fantastic, peaceful, beautiful and to ourselves. The creeks and pools were crystal clear and the views up through the trees to the sheer cliffs made a complete picture. The girls loved it - didn't want to give the bikes back at the end of the day. LM sat in his trailer all day - taking pictures telling CT to go faster - he always want to be in front. However at the end of the day he showed just how much energy he had saved and ran all the way back from Yosemite Village to Curry village - literally ran - about a mile - next to the bike.