Yosemite was storybook jaw dropping. But overcrowded. We saw it on one of the first weekends of the year and it was tolerable but full. From May through the summer it is apparently double packed, with all accomodation gone and every access road blocked with traffic and parking. For all its natural beauty Yosemite has had pollution problems back in the 70s through over crowding, and now it is quite a mess, with bad signs confusing the melee. I think they should take a leaf out of Hearst Castle's book and get all traffic (except booked campers) out of the park. There is a great free bus service within the park. But we would have gladly taken a 90 minute ride from a park and ride outside the park to help save the place from being overrun. One drawback of going at the end April was that the 120 through park to the North was still closed. Our advice would be to only go at the start or end of season with Autumn beging favourite. This was Anna's favourite place so far and we had some lovely short hikes to see the waterfalls but I feel pretty sad about it as it is just too popular.
Vegas baby. Well, we stayed at the cheapo Sahara and went up the brilliant Stratosphere tower for the strip view on the first night. We toured the Bellagio, Ceasar's and a few more on the strip. But on the way in and the way out we discovered incredible outlet malls, filled with factory outlet stores of many of our favourite apparel brands and more. And we shopped. We should have been prepared. Being naked to this point would have been good. Prices were around 10-25 of (not off) Finnish prices. We left with big smiles and would go to Vegas again just for the shopping.
And on to Jamie's personal favourite so far, the Grand Canyon. We spent the best part of two days there, watching the sunset at the west rim and walking in to the south rim to try and get more perspective. I left a part of myself there and will return - I feel like a have to. Vast is an understatement. Words cannot describe. Brain cannot compute.
Three songs about rock:
#3 Let's Rock, Sly & Robbie
#2 Rock'n'Roll Music, Chuck Berry
#1 Jenny from the Block, J-Lo
Hello from Lake Tahoe
Picnic stop makes ya jump, jump
The Yosemite money shot
One of many stunning falls at Yosemite
A slight fear of heights inherited from the paternal side
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