🎶Welcome to the hotel California 🎶 Another song popping into my mind!

We landed in Sacramento to be met by Lisa and John – our daughter in law , Jordan’s parents. They live in Lodi abut 45 mins away. We’re so fortunate to get along so well.

They were to be in Yellowstone but got covid. But now here we are and head off to Yosemite together.

John cooked a wonderful omelette with veg from the garden. The bed is super comfortable and the shower is the best! The laundry got done is this definitely a 🛌🛌🛌🛌 stay.

After eating and packing we headed off to Yosemite about 3 hours away. We had a few stops along the way.

First stop was exciting. We’d heard about the dispensaries in California – for marijuana products. It’s legal here and so common. So Lisa and John stopped just so I could see it.

In we went. We had to show ID and register and then the doors opened and we were in a room with lots of products hanging in colourful rows. Like a sweet shop.

I chatted to the man asking about something for pain and swelling on my knee. He showed me patches. Explained their use. It is a CBG product. Not the one banned in Australia. So I took two patches.

Then I asked about sleep. There are gummies, lotions and patches. I took another two. How exciting I thought. I’ll use one tonight.

Next stop was a very cute little town called Angels Camp. Famous for its frog races they have plaques dedicated to the winners of the frog jumping competitions. Mark Twain wrote about the frog jumping to let the US readers know about it. The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County,” by Mark Twain, is a tall tale about a man who bets on anything and wagers that his frog can out-jump a stranger’s frog, with surprising results.

Coffee called at Groveland. There’s a little coffee shop there where I had the best coffee in 8 weeks. It’s run by a young German man.

The Main street had lots of models !

And an interesting bar.

It was into wonderful scenery as we headed towards Yosemite. It is so good to have John driving pointing out things along the way.

There is some magnificent scenery as we arrive in the Yosemite valley.

We checked into The Awanhnee Hotel. it’s an iconic grand old hotel. Lucky us. Lisa & John organised it for us. A few days of relaxation in a beautiful place.

We took a walk before afternoon drinks. Down the meadow. Over the bridge. The views.

Dinner was just lovely in a beautiful room. But unfortunately not the main dining room. It’s having renovations. It was so good to share it all with John & Lisa.

Off to bed in our 3🛌🛌🛌 hotel room.

Day 2:

Breakfast was very simple before we headed off to Yosemite Lodge for a 2 hour tram travel through the Yosemite Valley floor.

We sat in an open train/ tram with a guide who grew up in the Yosemite valley as part of the Indian tribe of the area.

She explained the history of the park., including the types of plants and trees.

We paused to look at El Capitan rock and could see some brave climbers. We watched for awhile as the climbers slowly inched up.

After the little tour we got the car to tour up to Glacial Point. No! We didn’t hike up. The weather was beautiful and Lisa had packed a picnic with a lovely bottle of bubbles to share. Outstanding views of Hal Dome and other mountains – most higher than Mount Kosciusko!

Back down the winding road, another little stop for a walk then back to our lovely room for a nap before dinner.

Day 3:

A walk first up to Mirror Lake. About an hours walk. The mornings are cool especially walking in the shade of the sequoia trees.

Walking for about 40 minutes we arrived at the creek and the lake which after summer is more a small lake – puddle.

Back to the hotel for a late checkout.. I could easily stay longer.

Taking our time to drive home we had lunch at Groveland in a cute Mexican place before driving through the vineyard area surrounding Lodi. Lodi is one of the big wine areas of California. Napa gets the publicity but Lodi has a great wine industry.

Then it was family time. John’s mother Anne came over. Jordans brother Joseph, wife Taci and their three children came over for swim and early dinner.

The twin boys are just a few months younger than Leo. They even look a little alike. Poppy is 5 and very funny and talkative. Very gorgeous children.

It was a big happy noisy family dinner. Then they all went off to bed and we just chatted. John & Lisa made us so welcome and we are good travel buddies. We’ll be seeing them next Wednesday in Brisbane. They are coming over for Alby’s christening and first birthday.

Tomorrow is a travel day to LA to stay two nights with Dan & Izzy Garr. We met Dan on our first ever swim trek and love seeing them. Then a night in San Diego with Ben & Sharon Maisek – another swim friend.

Then Home Sweet Home. Fingers crossed the threatened workers strike doesn’t happen on Sunday as predicted. It could affect flights!