We made it into Yo-semite without incident. And you know why? Because we bought chains. Chains we have successfully avoided purchasing so far because the weather has been on our side. But, the gig is up. There was a big flashing sign that said if you're heading on this road chains are required. And conveniently located after that sign was a gas station advertising chains for $29.95. Better safe than sorry and we figured our lives were worth $29.95. We greet the mechanic who measures the tires and takes us in for the purchase. Well, it's not exactly $29.95 because the Santa Fe has big tires, it's $36.00 for these chains then $40.00 for installation. Oh, for cry eye...now we're going to have to eat in the car even after we get home just to make up for this unexpected cost (and I have indoor garage parking which will be even stranger than some of the picnics we've already had). But we've been assured once he teaches us how to install them we'll be able to do this ourselves. Well, that's excellent news since we live in Chicago we're fairly certain chains are not welcome on our pothole infested roads.  So, look for a gently used set of 2WestwardHos chains on e-Bay in a few weeks...special deal for our readers.  

We did get the chains off ourselves and headed into Yosemite. Wow...what a site that is! Since it's winter there is only one way in and out of the Park. The good news is there is so much to do here it makes it easier to be restricted to one area. Plus, we practically have the place to ourselves. It's us, a few foreign families and some retirees. Oh yeah, and the bears. They're around, too. We had to sign a form stating we will remove all food from our car because apparently bears don't need keys to get into your vehicle. Nor are they charged with any crime if they get in and eat your food while wearing your clothes. Who knew animals had such freedom out West? Anyway,  the Park was wonderful but it happened to be my turn to drive the day we left and it was a snow storm like I'd never seen. I had such a white knuckle drive and since my hands are still wrapped around the steering wheel I'm passing the story on to Lisa. 

The baton has been passed onto me for YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK...one of the 391 parks in the National Park System (that's what my pal, Ranger Kim Coast, tells me!).  I have been dying to twirl the baton and Miss Q aka Eileen aka Master Blaster Blogger aka Quigs has given me another chance at it! Yosemite has been added to my "Must Return Someday" list.  And, I would like to return in the winter as the Park is so utterly breathtaking..the beauty is indescribable! The drive from Tahoe got us started on the right foot (see prior story mentioning CHAINS--Quigs still has an injured finger from removing "her" side of the chains!--btw..who said, chains are so easy, just go into the auto store and buy them for $20--Vancouver Gayle...was that you, AGAIN?). After changing our route a few times due to snow conditions we ended up going into Yosemite via the 120 bypass.  Heavy snow was weighing down all sorts of extremely tall pine trees in the forest and the drive was incredible into the Sierra Nevada Mountains (even with me behind the wheel).  After checking into the Lodge, we unpacked and embarked on a trail walk capturing the Lower and Upper Yosemite Falls. The Upper Falls are the second tallest falls in the U.S. and the world's fifth largest.  Only a portion of the Park (Yosemite Valley) is open during the winter months so we were able to cover some good ground in our 24 hours there. Let's see, we went to the Food Court for black bean chili and a salmon burger (for those of you who know us, you can guess who ordered what!), the Bar, with our favorite fireplace to date (sorry, no photo),  and the Falls! Oh, and of course by now, you know that we only order Merlot at bars (in case you were wondering--and if you are wondering, you obviously have not been reading the BLOG!).  The following morning we headed out on another trek, this time prepared with snow boots, although we also needed crampons,  and the snow just fell and fell.  The streams, rocks, trails filled with black oak acorns, and HUGE granite rocks and cliffs--I was thinking it was so pretty and again, breathtaking, and Miss Q, who was driving that day, was thinking get me out of here, I need to get on the road now..move it, move it!  So you better believe, on this hike, I was trailing, again, behind the speedy Quigs! So, we checked out and got on our way and with the tank one-eighth full (I need to learn to check that darn gauge more often!) it took us one hour to get 10 miles out of the Park onto Route 140.  The snow was coming down rapidly and in large white flakes.  It was a very hairy drive (if you want to see my photos, shoot me an e-mail). At one point we were two cars behind a snowplow and we actually saw the plow take out one stake of the "Rest Stop 1/2 Mile Ahead" sign!  Trust me, people will need to see that sign in these conditions. I thoroughly enjoyed the drive, although I can't say as much for the driver. Again, I am the one with the photos not Miss Q, who was driving Miss Lisa.