Yosemite in October

Henry and I spent the weekend in and around Yosemite. It was our last chance to get away before the kiddo arrives, and it was stunning. We drove up Friday night on the tail end of a rainstorm that had swept across California. Things were wet, but it wasn't actually raining when we got there, and the forecast was for sun for the rest of the weekend. The moisture in the air gave rise to a beautiful misty morning. A steamy fog was emitting from nearly every surface in the Valley on Saturday morning. We were glad to have gotten up and out early enough to see it, because it was really something else.

When we drove in we found that Tioga Pass was closed, which was disappointing because we had been looking forward to dropping into Mono Basin to prowl around the June Lake Loop, where we were pretty sure we'd find aspen trees in full fall glory. To our happiness the road was opened around 11, so we drove on up over Olmstead point, through Touolumne, and down the other side. After a quick lunch at the Whoa Nelly Deli (a.k.a. the Gourmet Gas Station), we went around the June Lake Loop, where the trees really were in full, blazing color. Some stands of trees were so radiant they were casting a golden light on everything in their presence. It was beautiful.

With the afternoon closing in on evening, we started our way back to the Valley. We were so incredibly lucky to get to Olmstead Point right at sunset. This is a spot with an incredible view of the entire Valley, with Half Dome smack in the center of it all. On Saturday night the Valley was filled with fog, like a bowl of soup, with Half Dome rising from the center. Alpen glow cast a pinkish light on the surrounding rock faces. We had never seen anything like it. Everyone up there was blown away by the sight.

On Sunday we had brunch at the Awahnee (swanky! fun!), and spent several hours roaming through the woods behind the hotel, meandering along the river bank, and enjoying the trees. The dogwoods were all a gorgeous shades of red and green, and the maples were all on their way to yellow. Walking under these trees was like walking in a kaleidoscope or stained glass window. Very lovely and breathtaking. After our hike we scored a couch in the Great Hall at the Awahnee and Henry wrote thank you notes for our shower in NY, while I worked on the tiny orange baby sweater. We hatched plans for coming back in the spring with the kiddo in tow, and schemed about all the fun we have yet to experience.

It was a terrific weekend.