YOSEMITE ON MY MIND 🤩

YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK DAY TOUR

By Henry Libo-on

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How It All Began?

It was three years ago when I planned to visit the Yosemite National Park in California but this plan has not materialized until this November when it became a reality. Thanks, Tsa and Nick. 

I left Newark International Airport, New Jersey at seven in the evening and arrived at the San Francisco International Airport, California at midnight. My daughter Angel her husband Ness, and my "apo" Natalie picked me up at the airport.  It was a chilly evening on the first few days of Autumn. I stayed in Angel and Ness' house while in San Francisco.  

An Early Morning Drive To Yosemite National Park

The next day we woke up early at around five o'clock in the morning, and load our bags and backpacks in the car and got ready for the four-hour drive to Yosemite.  With me on this trip were my youngest daughter Teen and her Beau Curt, my older daughter Bam, her husband Ness, and my granddaughter Nat.  Curt and Ness took turns in driving the car. 

The four-hour drive was smooth, there was less traffic.  The early morning sun tempered the chilly wind outside the car whose window I opened once-in-a-while to allow my camera to capture the beautiful images of farms, mountains, historical-like buildings, and windmills, among others.

Yosemite National Park.  Photo by Henry Libo-on of Touristang Pobre. 

Break Time

After an almost two-hour drive, we decided to stop by the convenience store to grab a sandwich and drinks as well as to empty our bladders. I took a few pictures of this town and returned to the car and got ready for the continuation of the trip to Yosemite. Actually, my main reason why I went to Yosemite, is to see for myself its main landmark which is the huge Granite Monolith, the El Capitan.

El Capitan is a huge granite monolith in Yosemite National Park. It is about 3,000 feet or 914 meters from its base to the tallest face.  

According to Wikipedia, the age of this rock is Cretaceous.  The Cretaceous is a geologic period and system that spans from the end of the Jurassic Period 145 million years ago (mya) to the beginning of the Paleogene Period 66 mya. It is the last period of the Mesozoic Era and the longest period of the Phanerozoic Eon. The Cretaceous Period is usually abbreviated K, for its German translation Kreide (chalk, Creta in Latin). (Wikipedia). 

In 1984, Yosemite National Park was inscribed into the UNESCO list of the World Heritage Sites because of its natural importance.  It has a total land area of 3,000 square kilometers. (search.yahoo.com). It was, however, in 1906 when it became a Federal national park, the first in the world. 

The Native Americans call it To-Tock-ah-noo-lah in Miwok Language.  El Capitan had been featured in a $0.25 coin in 2010 shown here below.  

Source: El Capitan by Wikipedia. 

What are the things to do in Yosemite National Park? 

Visitors come to Yosemite to see the various rock formations that date back to as far as 145 million years.  Most of them go to Yosemite to hike the trails going to the Waterfalls, the Mirror Lake, and to investigate the different areas where events can be held during the day. There are adventurous visitors who go to Yosemite solely to do the rock climbing at El Capitan or the Half Dome. The Swinging Bridge is also popular among visitors. 

The Wawona Swinging Bridge, Yosemite National Park. 

Source: yosemitepark.wordpress.com 

Some families go there just to pass the time by roaming around the park while others stay overnight in the lodging houses so that they have enough time to explore the many interesting places to see in the park. During our Bus ride around the park, I saw a couple who were dressed up as if they were going to attend a wedding ceremony or a special banquet. 

Due to its high location, the Yosemite Falls is visible throughout Yosemite Park.  On the way to the Visitors Information Center, I spotted this falls along the road but the water is just a trickle so to speak. So, I failed to get a photo of the falls. Just to give you an idea of how it looks in the Spring or after the Snow, I sourced its photo from the "images.search.yahoo.com" specifically the one by  "wallpapers-xs.blogspot.com". Thanks, guys. That photo is shown above. Isn't she lovely? I mean the Falls. 

A view of the granite rock in Yosemite National Park. I was under the shade of several trees when I took this picture.  Just amazed at the contrasting hues of bright and dark. Is it glaring to the eyes? 
(Photo by Henry Libo-on of Touristang Pobre)

These rock formations are several million years old.

  

This is one of the Bus Stops in the park.  Visitors who want to tour the different areas of the park wait here in the waiting shed for the next bus to pass. The bus service starts in the morning and ends in the afternoon. You can ask the Visitors Information Center for the schedule of buses around the park. Each Route is numbered beginning at one (1) and so on.  At the end of the routes, the Bus will return to the Information Center.  From there, the visitors can board the bus, and once again it will start its tour of the park. The Bus service is free.  I guess it is already included in the entrance fee. In fact, the ticket issued to us at the Entrance or Main Gate is good for 7 days.  So, if we miss any tourist destination area, we can always go back within 7 days. 

 I would like to suggest that upon your arrival at Yosemite, you immediately proceed to the Information Center and ask for assistance or ask for some brochures. My tips? Do not waste your time driving around if you are not sure where to go.  Just ask or locate the Tourist Information Center so you can start your day right. 

 Near the Information Center is a Foodcourt where you can grab a sandwich or eat inside. There are areas in the Park where cash is a preferred form of payment. 

The Foodcourt at Yosemite National Park.

My granddaughter Nat (above) and Moi (below). 

Located at the center of the park is the Yosemite Valley Lodge.  They handle all reservations for an extended stay in the park. 

More photos of the rock formations which have been carved or separated from other rocks by Glacial Action which lasted from approximately 1.3 million years. (Wikipedia). 

This is one of the many waterways found in Yosemite.  One of the famous lakes is Mirror Lake. It is a 20-minute walk from Bus Stop # 8.  The image of the mountains and trees is reflected in the clear water of the Lake that is why it is called the Mirror Lake.  But I stopped walking towards the lake when I learned from other visitors that the lake was dry.  The Instagramable Falls in Yosemite was also drying up, so I lost my interest to pursue the walk to reach them. 
"When there is no water in the lake, there is no mirror."

The world-famous rock in Yosemite is the Half Dome. It is a favorite rock to climb by the hikers. According to Sarah Graybeal, the top of the dome can be reached within a day's climb. Climbers must start early in the morning to make a 17-mile round trip from the Yosemite Valley floor to the  Half Dome. (Photo by Henry Libo-on of Touristang Pobre).

The 4800 feet ascent to Half Dome Trail. Photo by Sarah Graybeal of National Parks Adventures.com

There are several parking areas in Yosemite.  When it is high season, it is difficult for you to find a parking spot. But sooner or later you will find one. Remember, patience is a virtue...hehe.

A Marker is placed on this spot (photos above and below), where President Theodore Roosevelt spent a night in the Yosemite. Teddy Roosevelt was a known conservationist.  While hunting with friends, he noticed that some of them behaved unsportsmanlike. He refused to kill the Bear that they captured. So, whenever a Bear appears, no one dares to harm them because that is "Teddy's Bear". Those manufacturing the bear stuff toy also called their products - Teddy Bear.  (I read this story about Teddy Bear somewhere, maybe Wikipedia? I am not sure now. "Seniors Moment?" hmmm.) 

John Muir was a Scottish-born American naturalist and a famous U.S. Forest conservationist. Muir believed that forest conservation and protection also implies conserving and protecting America's source of water, and he was right.  Muir was also a well-known writer. 

For more about John Muir, you may click the link below:

John Muir - Yosemite National Park (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov)

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This Woodpecker that kept on knocking on the branch of the tree has wakened me. It was a delight to watch him at work but stopped when he saw me and had this pose for my camera. 
(Photo by Henry Libo-on).

  

She is such a beautiful Doe.  Doe a deer a female deer ray a drop of golden sun...hmmm. 

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Where To Stay?

There are several lodging houses that are within or near the Yosemite National Park. Near the Visitor's Information Center is the Yosemite Valley Lodge. 

The Curry Village is formerly known as the Half Dome and it is located in the vicinity of Glacier Point.

For more information about hotels and lodging houses, please visit this website - 
https://www.nationalparkreservations.com/park/yosemite-national-park/lodges/?msclkid=4f8d6f9669d71ac2f280325dfbcfdda2

The above-cited website has a complete list of hotels and lodging houses in and around Yosemite National Park.

In our case, my daughter Angel arranged for an overnight stay at a house on Creek Hideaway which was a registered Airbnb.
 

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Images of our Airbnb.

 

  

 

"Nami cuarto sang Touristang Pobre ba! haha...

All photos by Henry Libo-on of Touristang Pobre unless otherwise specified. 

How To Get There?

My jump-off point is San Francisco.  We left the house at 7:00 a.m. and we arrived at Yosemite National Park around noontime. We used the GPS all the time that we're on the road and stops only to grab a sandwich and drinks at a gas station.

Bus Tours 

There are Bus Tours from San Francisco to Yosemite. Please visit their website for more details. Hereunder is a link to the bus company that handles a day tour and overnight tours to Yosemite:

https://www.extranomical.com/HTML_PAGES/YOSEMITE_ITINERARY.htm?gclid=Cj0KCQiA2b7uBRDsARIsAEE9XpErLCAxMp8wBdIKQAkRbcPMR36elQwj829T7KmthgUyTKLlG40zWw4aAgOeEALw_wcB

Source: Google Earth. 

My Comments:

For me, the best time of the year to visit the Yosemite National Park is during Summer.  It is not advisable to visit the park when there is snow because some parts of the roads leading to the park are closed. 

If you prefer to stay overnight, you can decide to rent a cottage, a lodge or stay in a hotel within or near the park. 

As soon as you arrive, it would be better if you go directly to the Visitor's Information Center to ask for assistance as well as collect brochures to help you maneuver around the places of interest in the park. 

Once you get a copy of the brochures, plan your hike or trek. To make it easy for you, a Yosemite In-Park Bus can take you to your choice of a hike. The first point is the bus stop 1, then 2, up to 10 and more.  Each number represents a certain tourist attraction.  For example, bus stop number 8 led us to the road going to Mirror Lake. So, check the brochures and decide where to go. Happy hiking guys. 

Lastly, please bring extra cash because the store or the gate might ask you to pay in cash and not by credit card.  This is what we experienced so; I just share it with you. 

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Acknowledgment:

1.  Wikipedia for some data about Yosemite National Park. 

2. Yosemite Park Dot WordPress Dot Com or - yosemitepark.wordpress.com.

4.  Sarah Graybeal of National Parks Adventures.com.

5.  wallpapers-xs.blogspot.com or images.search.yahoo.com.

6.  Youtube video on Yosemite Music Video by Finley Holiday. 

7.  Youtube video on Yosemite Song uploaded by Bob and Kathi @ bobandkathi.

8.  nationalparkreservation.com.

9.  Map image by Google Earth

**Some photos are by Henry Libo-on of Touristang Pobre. 

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Do you still have time? How the Yosemite got its name?

Yosemite is designated as the World's First National Park in 1906. In the year 2004, UNESCO declared Yosemite National Park as a World Heritage Site. 

Mr. Daniel E. Anderson wrote about Yosemite. Here is a portion of his article published on this website - http://www.yosemite.ca.us/library/origin_of_word_yosemite.html)

"Yohhe'meti (Southern Miwok) or Yos_.s_.e'meti (Central Miwok) originally referred to the Indian tribe that lived in Yosemite Valley. Yosemite means literally “those who kill” (Yos, “to kill,” the modifier e, “one who,” and the plural suffix -meti). It was used by the surrounding Miwok tribes. The Yosemite people were referred to as killers by these surrounding tribes, who feared them. The Yosemite tribe, led by Chief Tenaya, was composed of renegades from multiple tribes, including Mono Paiute from the eastern Sierra. The Paiute were traditional enemies of the more-peaceful Miwok people."

Here's another account of how Yosemite got its name.

"Yosemite Valley was named by L. H. Bunnell of the Mariposa Battalion in 1851. The Battalion was formed by local miners in the foothills after neighboring tribes, feeling encroached on their lands, raided Savage’s Trading Post, killing several people there at the time. Mr. Bunnell named the valley in honor of the tribe they were about to capture and drive out of their home, Yosemite Valley. Pioneers at the time often disregarded native place names or didn’t know them and used place names of their own making. To quote Mr. Bunnell³:

As I did not take a fancy to any of the names proposed, I remarked that “an American name would be the most appropriate;” that “I could not see any necessity for going to a foreign country for a name for American scenery—the grandest that had ever yet been looked upon. That it would be better to give it an Indian name than to import a strange and inexpressive one; that the name of the tribe who had occupied it, would be more appropriate than any I had heard suggested.” I then proposed “that we give the valley the name of Yo-sem-i-ty, as it was suggestive, euphonious, and certainly American; that by so doing, the name of the tribe of Indians which we met leaving their homes in this valley, perhaps never to return, would be perpetuated.” . . . . upon a viva voce vote being taken, it was almost unanimously adopted.

It was common practice by European settlers in the 18th century the United States to either ignore an Indian (Native American) place name and rename it, or, as with Yosemite, to use another Indian word for a place name."  (Source: yosemite.ca.us      - Daniel E. Anderson, July 2011).

Wow, this story told by L. H. Bunnell is so touching. I think he and his comrades made the right decision by naming this beautiful place Yosemite in honor of those brave and freedom-loving Native American Indians who occupied the vast valley.  For millions of years, Yosemite existed on this part of the planet and its awesome natural beauty wowed so many peoples around the world.  I think it is just fitting that every American should visit this place even once in their lifetime. I would like to say that if you have not been to the Yosemite National Park, hmmm, you must visit Yosemite. Make it your life goal.  National Parks in the United States are filled with history about our continent, about our people, about who we are. 

I am a Filipino-American and I tried to be at Yosemite even only once in my life because I felt that Yosemite is a big part of the American Heritage, and I must investigate that heritage* and embrace it. I think this is the most memorable moment of my life. Thanks, Angel, Ness, Tin, Curtis, and Nat. God Bless Everyone. God Bless America!

*Property or possession that is inherited. 

Source: youtube, Yosemite Music Video

Uploaded by finleyholiiday.  Thanks, Finley Holiday.

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The Yosemite Song by Bob and Kathi from Youtube

Uploaded by bobandkathi December 8, 2011.

Thanks, Bob and Kathi. 

Source: Yosemite Park Dot WordPress Dot Com

yosemitepark.wordpress.com

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Reviewed on October 24, 2022. 

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Touristang Pobre wishes to greet his friends, classmates, and followers from the Philippines. 

• Tess Escamilla 
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• Who else? 
• All Members of High School Class 1971 of Bacolod City High School, Bacolod City, Philippines. 

Members of High School Class '71 

Bacolod City High School

Bacolod City

Philippines

51st Golden Jubilee Reunion at CICM Seminary, Talisay City, Philippines on October 20, 2022. 

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Have a great day everyone wherever you are.

Ciao'