Yosemite

My plan after finishing the drive along the coast was to go to Yosemite National park, so I headed west inland. The drive wasn't as long as I had thought and I arrived in Miraposa, a Yosemite gateway town, about 8pm. I had dinner at a local diner and settled down to get some rest in the towns rest area. As I had been driving in high temperatures all day the car was very warm, so I sat in the rest area with the door open while I was reading before going to sleep. I had no plans to leave it open while I slept! However this attracted the attention of the local Sheriff and I had my second brush with the law. He took my documents, obviously checked them on his car computer, then told me to be careful and left me alone. I am getting more police attention then I would like, but at least I haven't been arrested.Yet!!
Another early start the next day allowed me to enter the park around 08.30am, before the rest of the crowds arrived. I parked the car and finally got into my hiking boots. I never thought I'd say this, but I had really been missing physical exertion, of any kind. I was looking forward to getting out and stretching my legs, especially as I wouldn't be carrying a rucksack. I decided to do the hike up to the top of the Vernal falls and after that a short easy hike to Mirror lake. Off I went. The hike to the falls was fairly easy, the path to the bottom was paved and a little steep in places but not difficult thanks to the paving. The path to the top of the falls consisted mainly of steps, which was hard on the calf muscles but enjoyable. I got to the top feeling fine and in a much shorter time than I had expected. Then fool that I am I decided that I may as well continue to the top of the next set of falls, Nevada falls. So off I went. Unfortunately the hike to the top of Vernal falls had lulled me into a false sense of security.The next part of the hike was tough and there were a couple of spots where there was a sheer drop off to the side of the path. That I did not enjoy.The view at the top was so worth it. Fewer people made it to the top of these falls so it was little quieter.It is hard to beleive that places so beautiful exist and grateful that the first visitors here realised how special it was and set out to protect it.