Day 3: Monday (Our eyes are thanking us)

Slept in today. Meaning that we didn't wake up until about 5:30 a.m.  Our cottage is a cozy, comfy little place with just enough room for us. And so so so quiet. Truly idyllic. There was a little bit of sunlight when we woke, so we decided to get started on the day.

After a simple breakfast of yogurt, strawberries and granola, we packed a lunch and headed out for Yosemite. Man, these roads. We try not to think of all the scenes from all those movies where people drive off the edge of narrow mountain roads (actually yesterday a tow truck drove up in front of us to collect a car that was halfway up and over the guard rail at the edge of a cliff.) Bob's doing all the driving and I'm pretty much thankful for that.  He's done all the hard work to get us where we're going these days.

First we enter the Sierra National Forest -- the sign reads "the land of many uses". I'm confused. But that's okay. Then we cross into Yosemite National Park by the South Entrance which takes visitors through a rock tunnel into THIS:

The morning was misty and mysterious but it didn't take too long until the sun shine burned away the humidity and left us in a cool but brilliant day.We walked. We rode the park shuttle to many spots where the views were stunning. Here's where we traversed today.

If you know us well at all, you know we are not mountain climbers or big adventurers who love to push their bodies to the limit. We're more the "Oh!  Look at that!" kind of people. So all day long we were soaking in the lights and shadows, the changing faces of the rocks, the incredible textures of the tree trunks and meadow grasses. I am storing up images that will most certainly become inspiration for future paintings. 

Bob is taking photos that you'll see more of later after he has time to get home and sort through the hundreds. But here's one of his favorites that will show what he has learned from Ansel Adams. 

We had arrived at the park before 9 a.m. and by about 3 we were exhausted. So much fresh air, so much visual input. One stop on our way out at Big Tree Stable to make reservations for Friday's horseback ride, and we were heading back to Oakhurst for a little rest time.

The one park guide had talked about one of her favorite restaurants in Oakhurst so we decided to check it out.  Southgate Brewing Company, a friendly, busy local brewhouse where the tacos rocked!  I got the fish, Bob enjoyed the pork.

A stop at the grocery store and then we were back to the cottage to crash. We're going to take it a little easier tomorrow.