Yosemite: big trees, cold tents, steep falls

Half Dome, at 8,842 feet, is perhaps one of Yosemite National Park's most famous structures. It is made of granite. I did not climb it.


I did, however, climb up to see Vernal Falls. These stairs were a happy sight, as they told me I was almost to the top!


Vernal Falls crash into the rocks below.


On the 2 hour-hike up to see Vernal Falls, this rainbow appeared in the mist.


From Glacier Point, I got a view down to the floor of the park, about 3,000 feet below.


This footbridge traverses the Merced River on the floor of Yosemite.


Stan was standing along the side of a path painting the wilderness with his wife (not pictured). They made such a serene scene that I asked to take a photo.


I slept on this twin bed in my canvas-covered wood-frame shack at Curry Village in Yosemite. It was chilly at night but I just stacked up the blankets. I was also so close to the cabin next door that I heard the man there snoring. Fun.


My choice of breads at one of the sandwich shops in the park.


Bear boxes to store food and other scented items (lotions, shampoo, deoderant, etc) remind visitors that bears are a serious problem in the park. Nothing with a scent was allowed in our tents or cabins -- or even cars.


In case a bear makes its way into one of the park's campgrounds, this bear trap may very well do the trick.


Mountain lions in the area prompted this sign, hanging on a yellow plastic police line blocking a trail.


I am always so enthralled with living things that are older than 100 years old. This tree at Sequoia Groves outside Yosemite National Park in California is hundreds of years old.


Reaching for the sky is this tall sequoia tree, in a grove outside Yosemite Park.