story of my roadtrip across the US, a solo voyage between San Fancisco and New York City,
and then on to spend a week in Monterrey, Mexico.
20SEPT2007-13OCT2007

Monday, September 24, 2007

ok, now it's for real - Monterey > June Lake

As Ambassador Kosh once said, "And so it begins..."

It was a beautiful sunrise in Monterey this morning, with little to no clouds and just a little chilly. I left the motel at 9am, direction US 101.

Approaching and surrounding San Francisco there was quite a bit of traffic, which I guess was to be expected on a monday morning... Regardless I managed to drive my way through the 18-wheelers and commuters and promptly got to I-580 ( I think).

I then spent a while enjoying the rural California landscapes
on the road

hills

horses

Cruisin'
cruisin'

After connecting to Highway 120, things got a lot more interesting
some lake

I then entered Yosemite proper.
Yosemite

Yosemite

By the way I didn't introduce you to Jimmy, the trip's mascot (Actually the MJF's, but I'll just hijack it)
Jimmy the Lion

In Yosemite, the view is spectacular
Yosemite

Yosemite

Jimmy attempts a coup and tries to drive off
Bad Jimmy

After I shut him down, back to the views
Yosemite

oblig. "Hey that's me!" pic
Hey that's me!

Siesta Lake. Very fitting name, I must say
Siesta Lake

Siesta Lake

Siesta Lake

Continuing the tour...
Yosemite

Yosemite

Various views from Olmsted Point
Olmsted Point

Olmsted Point

Olmsted Point

Olmsted Point

Olmsted Point

Tenaya Lake
Tenaya Lake

Tenaya Lake

Tenaya Lake

Tenaya Lake

little birdie again
Tenaya Lake

Tenaya Lake

Tuolumne Meadows
Tuolumne Meadows

And at last, passage of the Tioga Pass
Tioga Pass

Tioga Pass

Tioga Pass

Tioga Pass

Tioga Pass

Tioga Pass

Tioga Pass

Ellery Lake
Ellery Lake

Ellery Lake

Exiting the mountains
exit

Afterwards I turned south towards the June Lake loop. Flat again, kind of, but still around 7000ft/2000m of altitude.
road

And just around 5pm, I eventually was graced with this jewel: June Lake
June Lake

Breathtaking, stunning, whatever, Yosemite is a world of superlatives. It can't really be described, and the pictures (even full size) don't really do it justice. I took a few driving videos and I hope they can convey a little better the timeless majesty of that region. Anyways, it is spectacular and I'm glad I added it to my trip almost at the last moment. It's truely unforgettable.
As far as June Lake is concerned, well the rumors are true, it is an incredibly beautiful place, nested in that little valley full of trees and almost cut off from the world outside. Calm, friendly, silent... Right now, I'm in heaven.


Tomorrow, complete 180°, as I'm headed to Sin City.