The Evening Before Half Dome

Rick the Neighbor
We were promptly "welcomed home" by our neighbor, and quick-to-become friend, Rick from site #36. After quite a lot of talking, and through some photos of his spring camping trip that he showed us, we realized that he had occupied the SAME EXACT site #13 in Lower Pines RIGHT BEFORE we did during April. What are the chances of that happening? (there's more on Rick later)

The Volunteer
and his "Diuretic" Horse
A volunteer ranger was kind enough to stop by our site and chat. However, seconds after taking this photo, the horse couldn't hold his piss any longer and let himself go.

The German Couple
Later that night, we also met up with a young German couple and chatted for hours. I got a feeling that the boyfriend was a bit paranoid when I noticed that he carried a bullhorn and mace with him everywhere he went. That stuff will get better usage in Los Angeles.

Bathroom Gatekeeper

We set up camp in Upper Pines, site #38.

Gripe of the Day:
When we reserved our site back in April, Mr. Fozzie wanted to be near the Merced River, and Mrs. Fozzie, the bathroom. Girls. Anyways, I used a map that showed the entire topography of Upper Pines. Sure enough, as soon as we arrived today and glanced at the spot of dirt that would be our home for the next 3 nights, I had my daily moment of epiphany -- THE DAMN MAP WAS NOT DRAWN TO SCALE!! We were SOOOO close to this public bathroom that I decided to volunteer to become its 24-hour gatekeeper (ie., to keep it's door closed shut at all times!)

Grizzly Giant

Last spring, we missed the Grizzly Giant because Mariposa Grove was closed due to the snow. This time it was open. Repeat after me - "Hip Hip Hurray!... Hip Hip Hurray!!" You're silly. So we did a short easy hike from the south entrance of Yosemite to see the 2700-year-old tree. Not only is the Grizzly Giant the largest tree in Yosemite, but it's the 5th largest tree in the world (2 million pounds). What a waste! That could make 102,053 IKEA $39 coffee tables.

China Alley in Hanford

We had been eager to visit China Alley for about a year. And, when we got there, we realized that-- it was totally worth it. As we walked through this narrow street alley, you could almost hear the voices of these early Chinese and sounds of old daily life echo off these old brick walls.

Old Photo 1: Sue Chung Kee Son & Co., Hanford, CA, Established 1886
Old Photo 2

I can't really say the same for the rest of Hanford. During the short half day that we were there, we got the strangest feeling that the people in this tiny town had a slight drinking problem. (the white bums lying around town and public signs reading, "No drinking beyond this point" kinda gave it away.)