Paws and Friends

Sunday morning early, April 21, we beat the crowds and visited The Pioneer Yosemite History Center (a place of pioneers who profoundly influenced the birth and growth of the national park idea), near the Wawona Information Center (and Hotel) just up from the South Entrance on CA 41. The scenery of Yosemite is world-renowned. But what about the stories of individuals that have both changed and been changed by Yosemite. At this center, the National Park Service commemorates the efforts of people, the events they experienced, and the issues they faced during the establishment of this great park. The historic structures we found here came from different eras of Yosemite history and different locations throughout Yosemite. They were moved to Wawona in the 1950s and 1960s. What follows are different chapters in the Yosemite story. Hopefully, Yosemite history will come to life as you "travel" back in time to an era of horse-drawn wagons, covered bridges, and log cabins......

How do you describe something you have wanted to see for yourself since forever, and you finally have that opportunity! Words escape us! Yesterday we drove into the Yosemite Valley--we had a hard time understanding why it is called a valley. It is about 3,000 feet deep, and just a mile or two wide. But, it does have sheer walls and a flat floor--kind of....! So, we guess that meets the definition of a "valley!" Those rock formations! Wow! Since we have no words, let the pictures do the talking.... Because of the narrowness of the valley, most of these pictures were taken from the Tunnel View. We will be exploring more, but wanted to share our first shots! In closing, here is a saying by John Muir, from Tunnel View. We agree. Tomorrow we explore the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias, signed into law by President Lincoln in 1864, to preserve both the Grove and Yosemite Valley "for public use, resort, and recreation". Stay tuned! We will be re-visiting ...

We are such ambitious travelers! Today was just over 150 miles...from Bakersfield to just under 3 miles from Oakhurst, CA, to Sierra Meadows RV Park . Yosemite National Park  here we come! We are excited!  Not sure just what we'll do tomorrow--but rest assured it will be regarding the exploration of this National Park! The park has a couple who will serve as park hosts, getting "settled in" for the season, and we chatted with them for a spell this afternoon.. He gave us excellent advice on choosing a site. Yep! We could choose whatever site we wanted! One major advantage of traveling in the "off-season!"  They are also Americas Mailbox, the same mail-forwarding system we use. So we are 1 of  9 rigs:  motorhomes, 5th wheels, and travel trailers in the park, where there are 50 total spaces. Will post a picture tomorrow! For now, know that we are enjoying the shade of pine and oak trees in a mountain setting. Later! Roving Riders--Desert Dwellers ...

We drove 125 miles today, with little wind, (YEA!) and are at A Country RV Park ....! Not bad for a "day's" journey! Love the drive by Edwards Air Force Base, and all the planes near Mojave, near the Mojave Air and Space Port. Kind of like the planes parked at Goodyear (one of which is Eleanor Roosevelt's we understand!), and outside Tucson. Someday, we just might stop and explore Mojave Air and Space Port more! We stayed at this park on our trip up to the North West in April, 2008, and liked it, so we have returned! The dogs love the grass! We'll be getting into more of that for sure as we continue our journey north by northwest! A truck passed us on California 58, throwing up a rock that chipped the windshield just above the wiper on the driver's side. DRAT! No spidering yet, but we still called the insurance company, and they sent out Quick Fix, to fill in the chips (3 of them...how can one rock cause 3 chips, in the shape of a triangle?). Fellow jus...

We departed North Ranch Monday April 15--after playing the "Shuffle Game": pulling out the coach, driving in the Blue Buggy, backing in the trailer, then covering the Blue Buggy and securing the trailer....but GEE! It only took an hour and a half to accomplish all this--due to Mike's excellent planning and organizational skills! We were on the road aat 9:45, and arrived at Blake Ranch RV Park at 11:45, and in our site at noon! We were a little concerned about the wind, but decided to go ahead, knowing that the wind always picks up in the afternoon. And it did! But we were comfortably parked and secured! We walked for almost an hour--not so much fun in the wind, but both of us felt good after the walk. The wind blew through the night, just as the weather advisory had said! Here is the route we took:  Monday from North Ranch to Blake Ranch east of Kingman, and today from Blake Ranch to Barstow.  Not only has it been windy, but it is quite cool!   ...

We attended the Good Sam Rally last March at the Phoenix International Raceway. We both attended a terrific session on Chi-Walking, by Lisa Pozzoni , Arizona's only Certified Instructor in Chi-Walking and Chi-Running. Remember, it was an hour session, in a crowded tent, and it was HOT! I tried to follow the techniques and strategies, but by fall, with aches and pains in knees and hips, I wanted to find out more. I signed up for a 3 hour session December 3, 2012, and there has NOT been any looking back! Chi-Walking , for me, has improved my ability to walk without knee or hip pain! I am energized! I have greater flexibility in movement! I am losing weight, from over 30 BMI (ummm, morbidly obese!) on my way to my goal of under 25 BMI! I am truly committed to the life-long experience of Chi-walking ! At the December training session, I purchased the paper back book on Chi-Walking and the ChiWalking Workbook , a step by step 8 week guide to developing a ChiWalking pro...