Yosemite Visit

Given the season and our late arrival of around 11:00am, we expected to get turned around by long lines at the entrance or at best we could reach the tunnel on SR 120 and check out the Yosemite Valley view, above.  Turns out....

...there was a small line and traffic wasn't bad at all!  Now our revised plan was drive around and reconnoiter for a future, active visit with lots of hiking

I distinctly remember my first visit to the Grand Canyon, a literal jaw dropping first impression.  This visit was close to that.  

The top of Half Dome covered with clouds.

The meadow in front of El Capitan. My preference was to leave early enough so we would not be on the serpentine roads at dark so we headed back.

Our return route was different and as it turns out, much more enjoyable. Of course, all return routes include.....

....passing fire damaged acres and....

....winter scenes around the passes and peaks.