Ok first things first. You are probably getting fed up with the superlatives. You are probably also thinking he's got a limited vocabulary. Fair point but I'm struggling for new ways to describe things.

Today we went to Yosemite National park. We weren't sure we would have time. Big distances and windy roads which take forever to drive, but we made it.

We drove into the park and first stop was tunnel view. Allegedly one of the most photographed views on the planet. First thought. This is not real. Someone has painted a huge picture. It was so clear and vivid. I can't explain it and the pics only go part way to help understand. It is simply awesome......sorry I've used that word before. I actually hate the word but yanks use it all the time. Mostly to describe crap things like' man this bar is awesome'. However the view was truly awesome.

We passed through the tunnel and began the climb up to Glacier Point. Long winding mountain roads. The sun was shining but the temperature was dropping all the time. It had been minus 10 overnight.

We parked the car and walked a short distance to the view point. I could have sat there all day and night. It was truly to die for. Half Dome dominated the valley. The Yanks always state the obvious. It's called Half Dome 'cos it looks like a half dome. No poetry !!!

That aside the view is wonderous. Again so vivid it's like a painting.

We took loads of pics then just sat and stared awe struck by it's majesty. Evolution is a wonder. The passage of time has carved this scene and time will change it subtely every day for millenia to come.

We had to drag ourselves away. The sun was shining and the setting was one you just wanted to be sure you never forgot. Time waits for no man, so we headed down to Yosemite village and the lower falls. You can see the Upper and lower falls from Glacier Point but with water falls closer is better.

We parked in the village and walked to the base of the lower falls. The upper falls are a long hike and we weren't feeling that energetic. The lower falls cascade off the hillside and roar as they hit the bottom. You can see how over millions of years the water has worn away the rock.

The day pressed on and much as we would have loved to stay all night we had to head back to our motel. Fabulous weather, a lovely drive and scenery that words can't explain......what a day.

Tomorrow we are going to drive right across the park through Tioga Pass which is at 10,000 feet, then a scenic drive to Mono Lake and onwards towards San Diego. We've made up a couple of days so we can take it easy and have some lazy days before the city.

California....cooooooool.