We spent Mother's Day weekend at our favorite campground, Yosemite National Park! This trip has been our family tradition for over 30 years. Although we have not always been able to go to Yosemite each year, for nearly the past 10 years we have tried to make it a priority in our busy lives to meet as a family for a fun weekend of camping, hiking, bike riding, playing games and cooking fabulous food! This year we welcomed the newest member of our family to our camping tradition, 10 month old Sophia!
Arriving in the valley is the most amazing sight. After traveling through the mountain roads, you wind your way around a curve and through a tunnel arriving at the edge of the valley to the most amazing sight. On the other side of the tunnel is the beautiful valley stretched out before you and in the distance you glimpse the first magnificent waterfall, Bridalveil Falls. We have often labeled this feeling of anticipation and awe upon arrival as entering an adult Disneyland. No matter how many times you visit, you just can't get enough of it and are always so eager to explore everything it has to offer.
This year, thanks to the abundant snow and rainfall, the valley was rimmed with snow capped mountains, lush green meadows, raging rapids in the river, thundering waterfalls and beautiful dogwood trees in bloom.
Our camping group. Todd, Alain, Don, David, Mike, Jayme, Emily, Sophia and Nancy.
Dogwood Trees
Dogwood Trees at the Ahwahnee Hotel
We arrived on Thursday afternoon and met Todd and Dave at the campground. The rest of the family arrived on Friday so we had a relaxing evening to enjoy the campground with about 100 school kids from the bay area!
Sophia arrives with her family! She is happy to be camping (really I think it was to see her Nana!).
Sophia loved camping and playing in Nana's tent.
Momma and Sophia.
Alright then, had enough of this tent thing, let me out to explore!
Relaxing on Grandpa's lap before bed. Wish I had jammies like that!
Alain, Mike and Todd playing cards.
What did you say Uncle Dave, are there really bears in those woods?
We all took a stroll down to Curry Village to the infamous Pizza Patio for refreshments. This is the place where you will meet visitors from all around the world enjoying a hot pizza and a cold beer sitting and gazing in awe at this most amazing place.
Auntie Jayme made Sophia a t-shirt for her first camping trip. It says, "Bears don't scare me".Little did she know that night a bear would be visiting us in our campsite!
Sophia ready for her "hike"!
Back at camp ready for another challenging game of cards!
Sophia wanted to join in the fun, just give her a wooden spoon and something to bang it on and she was a happy camper!
Each year there is usually rock climbing or a big hike planned. This year, Dave took Jayme and her brother Todd on a hike to the top of Yosemite Falls. What an amazing view they had from the top of the falls.
Dave, Todd and Jayme
Dave and Todd on the edge!
What a busy day, goodnight Sophia!
Later that night, we had a little visitor from the woods. Todd, Mike, Don and I were sitting around the campfire when I heard a bang on the bear proof locker. Jayme was sound asleep in the tent right next to the locker so we knew it wasn't her - what could it be? Todd and Mike jumped up and flashed their lights in that direction to catch a bear running off with Jayme's green Yosemite bag in his mouth that was filled with her healthy foods and treats. The boys locked the bear proof locker again and we settled down by the fire and were just amazed that a bear came that close to us. Not 20 minutes later, we heard the banging on the locker again! Again, the boys jumped up to scare the bear away. We probably woke the entire camp with our excitement, or was it my screaming? The next morning, Dave found the bag across the stream from our campsite with the food wrappers strewn about. The bear ate all the protein bars, nuts, sugar substitute but left the apple and the lemon pepper seasoning (with bite marks in the container).
Back at camp for the last evening. We braved the bear, the rains and cold and enjoyed our last evening by the fire.
Dogwood Tree
Another great family vacation to Yosemite. Farewell until next year!
Sophia ready for her "hike"!
Back at camp ready for another challenging game of cards!
Sophia wanted to join in the fun, just give her a wooden spoon and something to bang it on and she was a happy camper!
Each year there is usually rock climbing or a big hike planned. This year, Dave took Jayme and her brother Todd on a hike to the top of Yosemite Falls. What an amazing view they had from the top of the falls. 
Dave, Todd and Jayme
Dave and Todd on the edge!
What a busy day, goodnight Sophia!
Later that night, we had a little visitor from the woods. Todd, Mike, Don and I were sitting around the campfire when I heard a bang on the bear proof locker. Jayme was sound asleep in the tent right next to the locker so we knew it wasn't her - what could it be? Todd and Mike jumped up and flashed their lights in that direction to catch a bear running off with Jayme's green Yosemite bag in his mouth that was filled with her healthy foods and treats. The boys locked the bear proof locker again and we settled down by the fire and were just amazed that a bear came that close to us. Not 20 minutes later, we heard the banging on the locker again! Again, the boys jumped up to scare the bear away. We probably woke the entire camp with our excitement, or was it my screaming? The next morning, Dave found the bag across the stream from our campsite with the food wrappers strewn about. The bear ate all the protein bars, nuts, sugar substitute but left the apple and the lemon pepper seasoning (with bite marks in the container). On Sunday, we had a delicious Mother's Day breakfast at camp before the kids had to pack up and head for home. After saying goodbye to everyone, Don, Dave and I headed out on our bikes for a ride through the valley. We stopped at Yosemite Village for coffee and to wait out rain showers. We then rode on down by Camp 4 where all the climbers camp and then on to Yosemite Lodge for a bite to eat in the most awesome bar complete with a roaring fire and views of the granite cliffs. I sat there wondering if the Lodge had any vacancies for the night! We then rode back up to Curry Village for a dinner of pizza and to wait out another rain squall before heading back to camp.
Storm clouds brewing over Yosemite Falls.
Storm clouds brewing over Yosemite Falls.
Back at camp for the last evening. We braved the bear, the rains and cold and enjoyed our last evening by the fire.
Dogwood Tree
Another great family vacation to Yosemite. Farewell until next year!
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