Yosemite Valley

As you enter Yosemite National Park, your first view isn't that much different than any other park we've visited.  Lots of trees, some wildlife, and what looks like mountains in the distance.  In fact you have to drive a good hour after entering until you reach Yosemite Village.

Now the magic of this park...to enter the valley you must drive through the mountain.  As you exit the tunnel there are signs telling you to slow down and parking lots on both sides.  Strange area to cause such a traffic jam.  

And then you look up and realize that you are staring into a postcard.  I wonder how many wrecks occur as people forget their in the middle of a major road when they see this?

 We arrived just after noon - not the best time of day for a grand landscape shot.  You can see in the girls faces how bright it was.  Nevertheless, I was proud of the shot captured.

The water fall that can be seen from the Tunnel Viewpoint is called Bridal Veil Falls.  We stopped there and hiked the short walk to the base of the falls.

We found the base of the falls and streams below to be one of the most photogenic areas of the park.  

Our first night in Yosemite we visited Glacier Point to view the sunset and enjoy a picnic dinner.