Team Guthrie

Sunday, July 23, 2017

Beauty to Ashes

For those who are eligible don't delay.
On August 28, 2017, the price of the
America the Beautiful – The National Parks and
Federal Recreational Lands Senior Pass will increase
from $10 to $80. This pass is an amazing deal and
we have saved hundreds of dollars.

One more trip through Yosemite before we leave!

A rock slide on El Portal road.

They built two temporary bridges to navigate around it.

Arch Rock is the west entrance into Yosemite.

We headed across Yosemite on Tioga Pass road that

just opened up a few weeks ago once they

removed the snow.

Another beautiful sight at Olmsted Point.

To the right of the tree is Half Dome and the left is Clouds Rest.

Can you see the hikers?

Those are not ants! It takes an average 12 hours for this hike!

This is beyond our capabilites.

Tenaya Lake

Tenaya Lake's water was cold and clear.

In Tuolumlne Meadow a buck heads in our direction!

It was thrilling to see him that close as he ran

across the road into the forest.

Tuolumne River winds through the meadow.

There are still piles of snow around Tioga Lake.

Tioga Lake

The snow melt is still creating beautiful waterfalls.

Mono Lake
This body of water has been the backdrop of many
Hollywood and television productions.
We turned around and went back through Yosemite.

When the sign says no commercial trucks - they
mean it! We waited about 20 minutes while this semi
maneuvers back and forth to turn around

and he just missed the sign.

Soaking in the beauty.

Relaxing around Tuolumne River.

At 9,000 ft. elevation the temperatures were in the 60's.

We could see the smoke from the Detwiler fire near
Mariposa on Highway 49 as we headed home.

This picture was taken from our deck the next day. A few

hours later they had mandatory evacuations for the city of

Mariposa. Smoke has also covered Yosemite, where we were

the day before, and includes many miles around us. Those

evacuated are in Oakhurst which is the town

just north of us where we do our grocery shopping.

The fire continues to grow. It currently has burned

76,000 acres.

Our car was covered in ashes when we lefts on Friday.

Firefighters are heroes.

"A hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength

to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles."

Christopher Reeve

Saturday, July 15, 2017

Road Trip to San Francisco, California

Over the San Francisco - Oakland Bay Bridge.

Alcatraz Island

San Francisco sky line and piers.

The Bay bridge has two decks.

Streetcar

The Cannery
Originally built in 1907 for Del Monte.
It now houses restaurants and shops.

We were fortunate to find a parking spot a few blocks from

Fisherman's Wharf where we rode the famous cable cars.

While standing in line I saw an awesome sign!

Yes, I am still a chocoholic.

When the cable cars reach the end of the line they manually
have to turn them around.

Another great view with the Golden Gate Bridge in the distance.

The union Gripman has to stand all day to do his job.

Typical row houses.

Ding, Ding, Ding. Down we go!

This is the turnaround and the line to board.

Great view as we head back to Fisherman's Wharf.

Of course we had to stop!
We also shopped at See's Candy store a few blocks away.

In San Francisco you have lots of options to get around:
cable cars, streetcars, buses, segways, bicycles, ferry,
3 wheeled scooters, buses, boats, commuter train,
double decker bus, pedicabs, or walking.