Yosemite

my beautiful family, Yosemite Falls

Recently the Crawford crew visited Yosemite NP.  As a group of four we've actually seen a good portion of jaw dropping places.  Yosemite is on another level.  The sky is bluer, the grass is greener, the air is crisper... all sprinkled with the largest granite outcroppings on the planet.  To put things in simple terms, Yosemite is the most beautiful place I have ever been.

the Merced River

Each day we played the "who can spot a cloud first wins" game.  Usually someone would win by 4 or 5pm.  Not bad.

Half Dome heel clicks

We spent a full day wandering around the Yosemite Valley floor.  Seeing all of the most notable sites:  Yosemite Falls, El Capitan, Bridalveil Falls.  I must say my favorite was the Merced River just happily winding around throughout the valley.  Cold, clear untouched water.

Yosemite valley floor:  El Capitan (left), Half Dome (middle back), Bridalveil Falls (right)

One afternoon we spent fly fishing on the Merced.  My pappa being the fish slayer that he is, caught a beautiful brown trout first cast. Literally.  Barbless, dry fly.  Yes, my pappa is the man.  I attempted to mimic his effortless feat, still never catching a fish on a fly rod at the time.  I about threw the fish-less rod across the river in frustration... But it's okay, my sister caught her first trout on a fly rod within minutes.  Nonetheless I spent the afternoon baking my pale Colorado skin.  Not a bad place hang out with my favorite people on the planet.

Pappa slaying trout on the Merced

Amanda's catch du jour... death grip

A side trip on our way out of the park was quite the surprise... We visited Mariposa Grove with no intensions beyond stretching our legs on our 5 hour drive.  A pleasant surprise... We spent some time stating up at the largest trees on earth, far larger than I could have ever imagined.  Pictures don't quite do them justice.

heel clicks under the California Tunnel Tree

Already can't wait to visit Yosemite again.  Hmm where to on the next Crawford family adventure?