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Thursday morning, after Jennie somehow managed to stuff everything
into the car, Jean, Jennie, Reza and I began the drive from the
Bay Area to Yosemite. The temperature rose quickly as we entered
the Central Valley along Highway 120. The car registered the outside
temperature at 100 degrees. 105...110...115!!! Of course it probably
wasn't really that hot, but we tried to stay inside the car as much as possible.
As we neared the Sierras, the temperature started to plummet.
By the time we reached Yosemite, it was a comfortable 75 degrees
outside. As we drove along Tioga Road toward Tuolumne Meadows,
we were met with stunning views. But we didn't have time to stop.
We wanted to get there and start our first hike!
The drive from the Bay Area to Tuolumne Meadows Campground took
us about 4 1/2 hours. We stopped at the Tuolumne Meadows Grill
and had lunch. Suggestion -- get the TMG Combo or the veggie burger
-- the chicken I had didn't even taste like chicken.
After lunch we went to our campsite. I'd reserved two campsites,
nearly 3 months in advance. Tuolumne Meadows is a huge campground,
with over 300 sites, families everywhere... It was full when we
got there, as I'm guessing it always is during the summer months
(which is about the only time Tuolumne Meadows is open).
We set up our tents and then started our hike to Elizabeth Lake.
After we got back, Reza and I went to the store to pick up some
ice for the cooler, a citronella candle to ward off the bugs,
and cans of Off. I tried to find a battery for my camera, but
they didn't have it. They suggested I try the Mountaineering School
in the morning. Meanwhile, Jean and Jennie started dinner. We
feasted on pesto pasta with turkey and vegetables.
After dinner we washed up (at the nearby bathrooms with cold running
water and flush toilets) and put all the food away into the food
storage locker. I called Lan and Angie, leaving them phone messages
asking if they could buy me a camera battery. I was afraid the
Mountaineering School wouldn't have it, and they'd be coming up
on Friday.
We tried to start a fire in the grill, but it didn't last long
because the rain had soaked the logs. Then it was off to sleep.
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