Day 3: Yosemite National Park

We had a slow morning, even though I woke up already at 5 AM. I'm still jet-lagged, God only knows for how long. I had to wait for two long hours for the others to wake up, watching the sun rise. Finally a quiet moment for myself. The groceries we had bought the night before at a local store were well enough to serve as a proper breakfast. Everyone was in good spirits and well-rested, ready to explore the surroundings. The sunburns had gotten slightly better, but Jani and Veikka both still had blisters on their foreheads and earlobes. And I still feel horribly guilty about it.

We stopped at the same grocery store to get some snacks and water for the upcoming hiking trip. It was supposed to become a sunny and warm day, about 26 C degrees, so we carefully put on highly effective sun lotion. We drove back the same road we had come yesterday across the mountains, went to a Yosemite National Park Visitor Center to ask for some advice, and headed towards the hiking trek they had proposed to us. I asked for a gentle route we could cross wearing only sandals and very basic equipment (= "we don't do hiking -kinda tourists").

The choice was a bulls-eye; the path was wide and easily walkable and we saw wonderful scenery and even some small wild animals. Passersbys greeted each others and I had to share our traveling plans to a few parties we came across to. Happy people enjoying the wildlife and the wonderful weather. The boys enjoyed our little adventure in the forest a great deal, climbing on the hills and looking for squirrels and, of course, having a little snack at the prettiest place we could find. There was a small river flowing in the forest, old wood trunks lying around and birds singing in an unfamiliar tune. Exciting and wonderful.. and the kids being a bit annoying at the same time; you can't let 8- and 10-year-olds out of your sight for a second, because in a blink of an eye they have thought of something they are not supposed to do. I was a bit worried about meeting black bears and mountain lions, which apparently live in the area, but of course the kids don't understand this. They run around, climb on every rocky wall that might collapse at any possible moment, and run across rivers trying to jump on stones.. I suppose every mother would be a little overprotective of their little angels, but in the end I decided to let them play.

And ohhh how they enjoyed it! I'm sure they will remember this hike for the rest of their lives.

Even though traveling is not always happy-happy-joy-joy, especially with the kids, I will remember the look on their faces when they saw all these new things today they have never seen before, the excitement and acceptance.. that this is the way the world is, these are the people living on it and we all basically enjoy the same things we share. I sit on the porch of our little cabin writing this and feel so content that it's barely possible. The pond is singing and the kids are laughing inside. The muffins were yummy and the insect spray really effective. This must have been one of the best days of my life.

Tomorrow, Death Valley and Las Vegas. Good night and goodbye, Yosemite!