The Shultzi Files: Yosemite

Let's start this entry out with the fact that we are not really campers. I mean, I used to camp when I was in girl scouts. I also used to camp in my grandparents' mini-RV (not super fancy, just a warm place to sleep)We have gone once before with John's sister (they had a system and every camping gear known to man). It has definitely been a while.

That being said, we headed out for a 4 day trip to Yosemite, one of my favorite places to take T on his first "camping" experience. We stayed 3 nights, 1 night in Curry Village and 2 nigths in Housekeeping. I had never stayed in Curry Village tents and will probably not choose to stay in them again. They were right on top of each other (you can have a conversation with your next door neighbor inside your respective tents), there is not cooking, no campfire circles, and no space for T to run around (he is a busy boy). Combined with no real nap the first day due to travel and going to bed at about 10, day 1 was a rough 24 hours.

Our second 2 nights were in Housekeeping camp. These are duplexes made out of solid block walls with a canvas top and front (no door, just a canvas flap). You have a patio, counter space, and a fire ring. We happened to be right on the river (apparently mosquitos like this, but that is what extra bug spray is for). These were more suited for us as there were children everywhere, space to run, and a place to cook.

In addition to accommodations, we also had some fun friends along for the ride (seven other couples from our Sunday School class), the water falls were excellent, and the day time weather was perfect! Here are some highlights from our trip.

The first day, we stopped several times to stretch and run around. We also decided to ride the steam train at Fish Camp, just outside of the valley. We also took our first mini-hike to Bridal Veil falls. T also got his first Bus ride on the tram. The 15 shuttle trips we took were definitely on his highlight list (Bi-bus, bi-bus). There were also tears and tantrums if we had to wait for the next bus. Good times.

This was Tyler's first waterfall-Bridalveil falls. He called Waterfalls-Bi Wa Wa and he had rolled his lips to make the sound that Bi-wa-wa makes. It sort of sounds like a horse, but it is hilarious.

The second day, we toured the Visitor center until we almost got eaten by mosquitos and toured the view bridge at Yosemite Falls. We also went up to Mirror Lake (Meadow). That was an adventure as getting a shuttle back was nearly impossible and we ended up walking 8/10 of a mile with T and our friends back to Curry Village, as John and our friend went back to get our car with the stroller. OK, so my friend and I carried my big boy the 8/10 of a mile. Great arm work out.

The third day we hiked to the Vernal Falls view bridge. We were quite the crew with 2 kiddos in backpacks (T and all his 34 pounds on John's back), an almost 4 year old riding piggy back, an almost 8 year old, an almost 5 year old, and several additional adults. I forgot how steep the trail was, but we all made it and the view of the falls was worth the hike.