Day 4 - Yosemite

In the wilderness the schedule is dictated by daylight, so even though plenty of drinking goes on everyone staggers off to bed at 10pm and rises again before 7am. I suspect the early morning are also in part due to the cold nights, which make staying in cold bed a less attractive prospect than a hot shower.*

To kick off our day in Yosemite we did the tourist thing and went on a 2 hour coach tour around the valley taking in sights, such as North America's tallest waterfall (over 1400 feet), and interesting facts - e.g. rocks peel off the cliffs in layers, with single chunks weighing as much as 80,000 tonnes. You wouldn't want to get caught under one of those.

Later in the day we paddling in the river below the waterfall (the water comes direct from snow melt further up in the mountain range so it's bloody cold), went for a swim in the pool then trekked a mile or so up to another waterfall. The route was a bit steeper than expected and nearly turned into a repeat of our Snowdon visit (think Amy, think swearing).

In the evening we drove up to Glacier Point (7200 ft above sea level) which looks out over the valley and into the mountains beyond before heading back to the bar. Out of curiosity and since I'd never get another change I tried a Yosemite Falls Pale Ale. I wouldn't recommend it.

Apparently the park rangers (who really do look like something from Yogi Bear) spent half the night chasing bears out of the tent area. I slept through it though, one possible upside to the Pale Ale.

* The Curry Village showers were surprisingly good, so much so that I've decided to cancel Bathroom Watch.