Death Valley and Yosemite

Tuesday 21st September to Thursday 23rd September

From Vegas, we took the north west highway out across the Pauite desert reservation towards Yosemite.  The landscape must be the most boring in the entire world - vast swathes of real nothingness.  We stopped at a gas station by a military base and it was full of Alien stories - why would Aliens want to land there?

A guy from the base advised us to take the scenic route through Death Valley, so we did - it was incredible.  The temperature slowly rose until it reached 109 degrees fahenheit; signs advised us to turn off the air conditioning in case the car overheated, crows sat in the shade with their beaks open.  It was all so surreal!  We passed through a valley of Judas trees, aptly named Judas Tree Valley!  But it was surprising how much life there was in this hot spot.

                                                     Judas Tree Valley

=

 Death Valley

From here we continued our journey to Yosemite and drove through from the North East side. The mountains are made up of the most incredible white rock and look as though they are covered in snow.  The journey through to the valley was an absolute delight. Then we passed through tunnels to the valley, an area we really wanted to see as it was used in the filming of Maverick (Mel Gibson) as the site where the Indians lived.  What a disappointment!  Roads had been cut through everywhere, and tarmaced cycle routes covered the remainder of the valley floor, with free space used for the most unattractive fixed camp sites we have ever seen!  Yosemite is the only national park we have seen that seems to prefer making a profit!  It was hideous.
Next day, after camping outside the park (because it was full) we returned for 2 walks, the first in the Giant Sequoia Grove which was great, and second, to Mirror Lake and beyond, which was not great, as they had forgotten to put up a sign to tell us that the path was blocked by a landslide last year!

                                                          Roots of a giant Sequoia!

                     This tree was cut to accommodate the road, but it killed the tree!



 
  One of the few spots in Yosemite Valley without tarmac and 'white canvas tents!'
          (To the left and right of this photo are 2, two lane highways!)

We left Yosemite feeling sad that such a beautiful location had been virtually turned into an outdoor theme park.

We drove through to Mariposa and booked into a Super 8, then ate the best meal we have had in the States at a restaurant called Savouries (sorry Francesco's, you have been ousted) as compensation.