Wawona Go Back
We’ve arrived back from this year’s great summer vacation, and what a great time we had! Here were the highlights:
San Francisco - We stayed at The Argonaut near Fisherman’s Wharf and actually ran into actor Jon Lovitz at the hotel’s great restaurant, The Blue Mermaid. We ate yummy dim sum at Oriental Pearl in Chinatown. Let’s not forget our creepy night tour of Alcatraz. Finally, we went on a touristy cable car tour of the city, got a fun education on the architecture, and drove across the Golden Gate.
Yosemite - Our tour of national parks continued. Yosemite has the wonderful geological monoliths Half-Dome and El Capitan, and our view of both from Glacier Point was spectacular. There were so many gushing waterfalls, runoff from this year’s great snowfall, that I lost count of how many we saw. It was great family fun to stay in a big house with everyone after full days of seeing the natural wonders.
Kings Canyon / Sequoia - There were amazing, mighty trees that can be found nowhere else; their trunks grow huge and their canopies majestic in the 5000 - 7000 foot altitudes. Driving down the switchback mountain roads demanded constant attention but was so much fun!
Death Valley - I didn’t know what everyone was complaining about. It was a dry heat! The mercury settled at a mere 123 degrees on July 1. We saw the scenic and beautiful Artist’s Palette, a colorful formation of rock enriched by the evening sunset. The flat tire was a mere inconvenience.
Las Vegas - Vegas, baby! Vegas! We had another great meal at Mon Ami Gabi with a perfect view of the Bellagio fountains across the street. Having been there several times before, Tiffy and I were intrigued to test out the new monorail system. We had an enjoyable adult evening — no, not that way! — at Red Square in Mandalay Bay with David and Dee; there were delicious libations and a hip atmosphere. We’re sure the teenagers enjoyed just as much all the walking down The Strip in 100 degree heat because they couldn’t either drink or gamble.
And now we’re back home, and we love that, too. At least we have our vacation photos and other family pictures to help us relive those fun times on our most recent 1200-mile road trip!