Wonder and Wildfires in Yosemite

The National Parks Service calls Yosemite "Not just a great valley, but a shrine to human foresight, the strength of granite, the power of glaciers, the persistence of life, and the tranquility of the High Sierra."  I couldn't agree more.

We headed to Yosemite over Labor Day weekend 2017. Two days before our trip, we heard there were wildfires raging across Yosemite. Most people in their right minds would travel away from wildfires. A, on the other hand, thought it was the best time to avoid crowds and explore majestic Yosemite. Crazy, right? We weighed the pros and cons and decided to take one day at a time, with a promise to run out any time things got hot. You know what I mean there. We were lucky there was only some smoke in the regions we visited, but we were cautious throughout and managed to have a mindblowing time, especially because several potential visitors canceled their trip. 

Life in California means we get to explore natural beauty just a couple hours' drive away almost all year around. A and I are taking advantage of that when we can. It's crazy that we visited Yosemite a whole 10 years after moving to the U.S. We have this urge to make up for lost time...and traveled with close friends who also have kids so the kids had a blast and we had great adult company. 

If you want to combine nature, adventure, easy hikes and also get the kids to bed early (yay, me-time!) the majestic Yosemite has few competitors. The girls climbed on fallen trees, clambered up rocks, scampered like monkeys in mellow meadows, swam in shiny rivulets and embraced Yosemite with wonder and well-worn legs.

Pictures!

Lower Yosemite falls - water, rocks and perfect blue skies

We have a climber - S2. If it can be climbed, it will.

Sunning like lizards at the bottom of the falls. We had to precariously climb over huge rocks to get down here

Swimming impromptu in the shallow river. I carry swimsuits everywhere these days

Really shallow, you could sit in it

Thankful for our friends K and V and their sons who were companions in adventure

and she climbs on...

and on...

Soda springs? Curioser and curioser

Soda springs have natural geysers and salt water. Just like soda, it has little bubbles but salty water

Who can resist skimming pebbles on rivers?

We found a rock and decided to climb it

It was a hill, really

or perhaps a mountain

The view was absolutely stunning

and everyone had to pause and ponder

Little Miss. Meadow

The sun has set but we shall be back soon, Yosemite. 3 days were not enough. 
We shall be back in Spring, Fall and Winter to see you change your colors and breathe in your beauty many more times.

What is the capital of California?

We decided to be very un-American and ditch the car last weekend. Not that we are American but living in America does make us more American than we think we are. We took the Amtrak instead, for the long Memorial Day weekend. Our close friends, D and K had this idea for a train adventure and we hopped on.

S1 and S2 were excited. A was skeptical. I was glad to have the freedom of a moving train. I recalled my train trips in India and wanted to relive those days of carefree abandon. and the days of walking to a restroom without stopping the car and getting stressed about which exit on the freeway we needed to take.

It was a big hit. The kids learned that they had to wait for things, like trains, to arrive. A and I experienced the joy of not driving. and the sun...reminded me that I am off to India soon to bake in the glorious kiln that is Chennai.

The Capitol Corridor train - beaming magnificently under the Sacramento Sun

Amtrak - I heart you

We rode from San Jose to Sacramento

A with the girls - can you believe there was not a soul in sight? I have never seen a railway platform in India without a teeming crowd of humans sitting, squatting, running or standing everywhere. The emptiness was refreshing but I missed the people-watching and glorious judging that is freely available in Chennai Central station.

This is a terrible picture that does absolutely no justice to the breathtaking, magnificent scenery we witnessed through our journey. This time, it was all about the journey and not really the destination. The destination was a mere excuse.

S2 patiently waiting for the train with a pack of Coffee Beans. 

We hit the Zoo. The girls loved seeing the animals. I felt sad for them and vowed to do something about freeing animals. Then I learnt that most of these animals were endangered and the Zoo was helping keep the species alive. Then I didn't feel so bad after all.

I would love to have one as a pet.

Tall, tall Tiga.

We visited FairyTale Town and stumbled upon the Crooked Mile

The girls think this is a real thing. In FairyTale Town, it was!

Humpty Dumpty reminded us to watch our step and our heads as we made our way out.

Oh glorious Sacramento Sun and palm trees! You call my name.

The Capitol Building

The 3-hour journey was as carefree and chill as could be. I took advantage of having A's undivided attention and problem solved/ brainstormed some life stage challenges as well. I call it problem-solving but he calls it arguing. I wonder why. Note to self: Maybe I need to tone down all this impassioned brainstorming that I love to do. :)             

Yep - Sacramento is the capital of California. Not San Francisco, not Los Angeles. But you knew that already, you smart reader!

Playing in the peaceful Pacific

It was my birthday last weekend and we spent a lovely weekend with my parents, A and the kids. It was bliss!

When they have to pick, people I know are usually either beach-lovers or mountain-lovers. Which one do you tend to be? I love both, I just need great weather and lots of opportunity to walk or run.

Living in California means we can get out to a ton of breathtakingly beautiful places that are just an hour's drive away. This time around, we went on a day trip to Venice Beach in Half moon Bay. Someone on the internets called it one of "America's most beautiful beaches."

 Cautious and loving appa (my dad) watching over the kids as they play in the Venice Beach creek

Settling on a safe perch by the water

S1 and S2 dig out sand and then throw it back in....for hours on end

This rocky cliff and creek are just ten steps from the Pacific Ocean

She and she collected seashells from the sea shore

Can you spot the ten steps? A takes S1 into the water

S1 loves the water. Who wouldn't?

Daddy and daughter run and play with the waves

What fun!

Uh oh...someone feels left out because she is a little scared of the Big Blue

But not for long, with dad in charge

"I'm just going to carry you so you can watch the waves."

Uh oh now the other one feels left out

Alright let's do this together

Daddy-Strong-Hands

Let's do this Pacific Ocean thing forever and always

Adventure of the day for the kids: a dead crab on the beach

How can an ocean so majestic and huge be so peaceful? I always feel humbled and thankful when I see this ocean.