The beauty of colors and more...

2000 Miles - A California Round Trip (a CA 94112 SPECIAL)

Last wake up over June Lake

"The whole little house for just 60 bucks."

The whole little house for just 60 bucks
(Lake June)

Friday, September 8th 2006: Another great morning to wake up. It's around 9.30am and the sun is out already, tickling my nose with its rays. The picture right next that column shows my overnight residence. It is pretty nice and I really love it parking my car in front of it. It's that convenient for carrying all your personal stuff from and back to the car. You might not see it but the place the car stands on is really steep. Since I don't know how to release the hand brake lever of this car I've never engaged it. Instead I put a stone in front of one rear tire to make sure the car won't go by it's own. Last night the owner told me to keep the keys inside the house. There is no need to go to there office but I wanna say Thank You for getting that sweet little cottage. Furthermore I wanna ask them what's the best way is getting to the Yosemite National Park. That women, I already intruduced during my last daily report, was very helpful trying to find out the most suitable route on yahoo maps service. Finally we picked out one that looks good and I thanked her so much for helping me. I get on the car heading directly to the Tioga Pass Entrance using US Highway 395 and later turn on Route 120. This pass is one gate to Yosemite and only passable thru summer to fall season.

"Friday, 6th day: June Lake, Yosemite NP and the return to San Francisco

The pictures below this paragraph have been captured to show some little nice impressions of June Lake with its houses and the lake itself. Just a few minutes that let me hold on. The air smells fresh and clean. A wonderful place and I guess the winter with its nice white snow toppings adds some special atmosphere to this location.

As mentioned above entering the Yosemite Park using the Tioga Pass is not possible all year long. During some certain month while heavy snow falls down and affects this route it will no longer be availlable for public traffic. The risk due to flash avalanches is too high to let people passing thru. Once you entered the National Park area you'll be amazed how diverse the landscape is. It's a pleasure staying on a lake while breathing that fresh breeze and hearing nothing but silence.

The Yosemite Valley scenic drive was that crowded and it seems everybody wanna stay there same time. There are waterfalls, nice rivers, fireplaces for having BBQ. In my mind I know that I can't stay here but have to drive back to San Francisco. On my way out of the National Park there was a road construction area where only one lane could be passed. A traffic light regulates this situation and we will be warned that it could take up to 15 minutes getting the green light. Believe it or not but they kept their promise.

On my ride home I also take some pictures of that beautiful landscape. There is so much difference to the scenery just couple of hours before. The golden meadows flooded by the afternoon sun rays are looking so calmative and magnificent. Everytime as such a little ranch showed up I felt happy since I know to get basic network service at those places. Not one mile ahead or behind - you have to stay at exactly this position to get at least one bar. My chance to place a call. About 2 hours away from San Francisco I meet these wind mills as shown on the last pictures. I stopped on the shoulder, unaware of the fact that it might not be allowed to do so. Climbing up to top of the hill costs a lot of power. Over there the wind is not just a gentle breeze - not at all. It feels like exposed to a hurricane. So I've to watch myself and the camera too.

It is 9pm and I'm close to Dublin and Pleasenton situated on eastside of San Francisco. Just a car crash on the Freeway south to San Jose causes a little delay. Onsite help has already been on the place the accident occured. Now we've come full circle and a adventurous trip comes to its end. During past days I've seen lots of things, met different people, watched amazing landscapes, was exposed to extreme climates. I'll keep all those unique impressions in my mind being prepared when I wanna explore those locations again or something new one. Thanks for being with me on this trip around Southern California and please enjoy your next vacation in the same way as I did.