Yosemite

Day 29 Yosemite.

Got off to an interesting start today.. The High Sierra RV park is only the second place we’ve stayed that gets a large thumbs down. Couldn’t get the internet to work, the showers were in serious need of a bulldozer makeover, and they were going to charge us for a “full hookup” site which is for RV’s with toilet, shower etc.. mostly we are charged as a “tent” cos we pretty much are. Anyway, the proprieter didn’t believe me about the internet and couldn’t care less about the showers (nobody else complains!) Being as we were leaving, they accepted our “tent” only payment, and we hightailed it outa there!

So off to Yosemite. Now we had been warned by by a couple of folks that the Yosemite Village may be a little busy still.. they were SO right! The valley is an absolutely stunning place, and with more time, and research it clearly would be worth staying in for a day or three.. however, we didn’t have time, and our research wasn’t the greatest, so we left there as quickly as the 25mph speed limit would let us. We may have been able to get a camp site, but we were 35^th on the waiting list, and they call out the names at 3pm to allocate any remaining spaces.. even had the stats there to give you an idea of your chances!!! Bad.. to say the least.. so off we went. Now we are at the Tuolumne (not sure how to pronounce that!)Meadows camp ground, and despite being another “surrounded by lovely pine trees” site.. it is a haven for two slightly frazzled travelers. By crikey are they serious about stopping bears getting at your food.. not that I blame them, but you get briefed at the gate, issued with a document (you have to sign it) saying that you have received said briefing, and ensure ALL food, toiletries, dishwashing liquid.. actually anything with a strong scent, is secured in the massive steel containers that each site has.. as in.. there are something over 250 sites here, and each one has its own locker.. These bears are clever, and persistent.. don’t think I’d care to sleep in a tent! We saw a great picture of a soft top car that had it’s lid shredded by these bears.. we’d be very disappointed to have “our” van scratched.. we do have a can of “bear spray” so I will be out there protecting it with a mist of pepper spray!

RK news.. only a few usa’s today.. they tell us that about once a month a bear gets hit.. ouch.. they didn’t tell us the outcome… I can imagine a very pissed off bear and an interesting discussion with the insurance company