Day 40 - Time to Leave Yosemite!

Ken and I were up at 6:45, made a cooked breakfast and packed our lunches for a trip into Yosemite to drive on the scenic Tioga Pass.  We actually were ready early and had time to do some reading.  Imagine that!

Around 9 Melissa and Chuck came over and having checked the weather, they suggested that maybe we would want to consider leaving this area a day or two early.  Rain was predicted for tomorrow and Friday and going back down the windy, curvy road in the rain was something we may not choose to do.  All of us were alittle weary of driving back into Yosemite again, but we did have an interest in seeing the views along the Tioga Pass.  After some discussion and considering everything, we decided it was a very good idea to leave the CG today and drive that road in sunny weather.  Also, we were ready to get back to "civilization" with internet and phone service.  So, Melissa and I checked with the office and they immediately offered to return our money in full for the 2 day early departure - very kind of them!

We all worked together and it was amazing how quickly we were ready to leave the CG without really hurrying.  If we had planned last evening to leave today we would have spent time getting ready and got up earlier this morning.  So, this worked out well!  We were on our way by 11:00 with some apprehension about driving down the "mountain".  Fortunately, all went well and Ken is feeling much more confident about driving up or down steeper mountains.  Chuck and Melissa said this is the toughest road they have driven on in all their travels, so that definitely makes Ken feel better about traveling out west!

We have gotten to the windy, windy part of the road.
If you look closely, Chuck and Melissa are just a little
ahead of us!

Where does the road go?????

We can see the in the distance! 

Do you think it winds downhill??????

Not much of a shoulder!!!

We arrived at Kit Fox CG in Patterson CA around 2:15, having stopped at 2 local roadside fruit stands that offered fresh picked strawberries, pistachios, almonds, oranges, peaches, etc.  The produce is delicious, especially the strawberries.

Set-up went well and we all made a trip to Wal-Mart about 2 miles down the road - civilization!  It is a Passport America CG and we will stay 2 nights.

After putting everything in its place (the refrig is very full), the 4 of us sat outside enjoying Happy Hour.  1st time in quite awhile that we have sat on our chairs outside and just chatted and relaxed.

Ken grilled salmon, chicken, zucchini and squash.  I had some sauteed brussels sprouts, zucchini, onions, and peppers.  We are eating well!

Over to Chuck and Melissa to watch the taped finale of Dancing with the Stars while playing games.  We plan to drive to San Francisco and do some touring. It will be a change of scenery from all the hiking and mountains.