Tenaya Lake
We have our first physical setback. Today, our plan was to do the intense hike up Mist Trail. Yesterday, Amber’s back went out, and sleeping on these hotel beds is not helping her to recover. In fact, these beds may have caused her back pain. Thus, we delay the hike to travel to Tenaya Lake considered by many the prettiest lake in Yosemite NP. Hopefully this extra day, without much physical demand will aid in Amber’s recovery.
As usual, I am the earliest up. This time as I explore the Yosemite Valley’s hotel grounds, I come upon a surprise guest, a bobcat. I am sitting at a picnic table, while it hides lying down underneath a tree. I don’t even know its there, just 20 feet, at most, away. A worker points the bobcat out. He seems to be hanging around making sure there is no trouble. A man and his young daughter are trying to see the bobcat guided by the worker telling them where to look. They inch in, struggle to see as the worker warns, “You are getting way too close.” And, yes they were. Just a moment later, the bobcat gets up. He has had enough and begins to walk right in front of my picnic table, finding a new spot to rest. Next, I hear a woman call out as she sees the bobcat. Then, she states, “You are so cute. I would love to take you home.” She is sure this bobcat would get along with her pets. Now a crowd forms. Finally a ranger arrives telling everyone to move along. Again, declaring, “You are too close.” As the bobcat leaves, the ranger follows. Then, I go and return to my family to start our day to lake Tenaya.
As we get to the lake, we are not prepared. Here, the temperature has dropped quite a bit. The idea of swimming seems ridiculous. Our planned picnic is a bit chilly as we look for anything in the car to provide some added warmth. Of course, Josh says he is not cold. The lake is beautiful. We sit on logs, lay on rocks, and enjoy the chilly moment. We don’t stay as long as we planned. This was going to be a rest day. I had brought cards and games to play on our picnic. It’s just too cold.
On the way back, we stop at another overlook. Another view of Half Dome (said like it’s a common event now) and Tenaya Lake. As we are wandering around, somehow Josh loses one of his slides (shoes) in the rock below. Josh, Eli and I all take turns hunting with no luck. The slide has fallen down deep into the rock bed.
As usual, I am the earliest up. This time as I explore the Yosemite Valley’s hotel grounds, I come upon a surprise guest, a bobcat. I am sitting at a picnic table, while it hides lying down underneath a tree. I don’t even know its there, just 20 feet, at most, away. A worker points the bobcat out. He seems to be hanging around making sure there is no trouble. A man and his young daughter are trying to see the bobcat guided by the worker telling them where to look. They inch in, struggle to see as the worker warns, “You are getting way too close.” And, yes they were. Just a moment later, the bobcat gets up. He has had enough and begins to walk right in front of my picnic table, finding a new spot to rest. Next, I hear a woman call out as she sees the bobcat. Then, she states, “You are so cute. I would love to take you home.” She is sure this bobcat would get along with her pets. Now a crowd forms. Finally a ranger arrives telling everyone to move along. Again, declaring, “You are too close.” As the bobcat leaves, the ranger follows. Then, I go and return to my family to start our day to lake Tenaya.
As we get to the lake, we are not prepared. Here, the temperature has dropped quite a bit. The idea of swimming seems ridiculous. Our planned picnic is a bit chilly as we look for anything in the car to provide some added warmth. Of course, Josh says he is not cold. The lake is beautiful. We sit on logs, lay on rocks, and enjoy the chilly moment. We don’t stay as long as we planned. This was going to be a rest day. I had brought cards and games to play on our picnic. It’s just too cold.
On the way back, we stop at another overlook. Another view of Half Dome (said like it’s a common event now) and Tenaya Lake. As we are wandering around, somehow Josh loses one of his slides (shoes) in the rock below. Josh, Eli and I all take turns hunting with no luck. The slide has fallen down deep into the rock bed.
Hopefully, the day has been a good break for Amber’s back. She states that it is feeling better. We talk about Mist trail and the next day. We plan to do the hike with Amber only hiking to the base of Vernal falls. She does not believe her back will hold up too much more.
Rest days, why are we so bad at them? This is a Sabbatical trip, but you would not know it by our schedule. It is busy, busy, busy, not wanting to miss something. We only have so much time. At least, that is the tempting way to think about it. Maybe, it was a blessing it was too cold and we decided to go back earlier than planned. I did want to get into the lake though.
