Out in the wilds

I was excited for today as soon as it began, knowing we we visiting an American shopping mall! In don't know what it is, but the idea of American shops just makes me really happy!

We avoided the (expensive) breakfasts at the hotel, and sorted out our mess of a room. How can one family make such a mess in a hotel room in less than 24 hours!

After we'd gathered our belongings we waited by the front lobby for the car, and caught some our last glimpses of the beautiful city.

Leaving San FRan was sad, as it is such a lovely location to visit. I'm really excited to go back again when I am older. We drove over a bridge and into Oakland.

It didn't take too long to arrive at the mall, and we got there nice and early (later realising this was a good decision after seeing the masses of visitors) and parked. We were all happy to eat yet another Starbucks for breakfast (it seems to be becoming a large part of our holiday).

Following breakfast, mum, Bryn and I went off in search for school shoes in Adidas. Bryn found a pair, but none were the right size for me.

I wanted to look in Swarosvki whilst the others payed, so I did that, before poppung in Yankee Candle. They had a special deal, 12 mini candles/melts for $8.00. I thought this a bargain, and mum kindly aloud me to buy the candles. I am very happy as they smell delightful.

Dad was getting a little impatient waiting for us, so after I bought a nice tshirt in Forever 21 and we browsed Nike for shoes, we went back to him. On the way to today's destination, we stopped in at a gas station, and bought some food that was meant to be for tomorrow (but most of it got eaten today).

It took us about 2 hours to arrive a Yosemite, and once we had arrived at our rather secluded accomodation, we head straight out to the pool. Thew air was warm and the sun was blazing down on us, so a contrast to when we had been freezing last night. Following the pool, we got changed and headed out for dinner in an on-sit Bar and Grill. It was very pub-like, but the food was good. Then we went back to the room, dad fell straight asleep, whilst mum, Bryn and I played a few card games.

Up and at 'em again, our San Fransisco experience confined to the area around the Bay.  Our car brought round to the front of the Argonaut hotel, perhaps the most high profile of the accommodation so far on this trip. Certainly well positioned, and elegant in its demeanour, perhaps too much so for us scruffy backpackers.

Hit the streets of San Fransisco, our Sat Nav having been restored to working order after much haranguing of Avis. Glad it was a quiet Sunday morning, a lovely drive actually through a large US city, and the Bay Bridge (the othe one) a 2 tier carriageway, a great way to exit the city.

After a couple of minor directional issues, the Sat Nav might work, but the interpretation still allows margin for human error, we arrived at an Outlet type mall, bit like Mcarthur Glen, but huge!  I settled down with a coffee for a couple of hours whilst the rest did a bit of shopping.  I should have probably bought a couple of items, there are still savings to be made, even with the shoddy exchange rate, but even on holiday, can't stand shopping.

Back on the highway for around 2.5 hours and again the landscape began to change significantly. Everything seemed to get a lot brighter, a lot lighter, and a little dustier.  And before we knew it we were into rolling hills and on the outskirts of the Yosemite national park.

The roads got narrower, the rock faces got sharper, although I think that is likely to be a taster for our trip out of here. My internet time in the shopping mall tells me the Tioga Pass is one of the most dangerous roads in the US. Great! Any advice?

The last part of the trip we followed the valley that leads into Yosemite and our lodge, the Cedar Lodge suddenly loomed on the right. Accommodation in the middle of nowhere, but quite a large set up, and we were pointed towards our home for the next couple of days. Staff seemed disinterested, toilet/shower/facilities all a bit hit and miss, but I guess limited competition, so what do you do?

Certainly don't go on the Wi fi as its been down for a week, we are alone, all alone. There is something of the horror movie about this place, but a bit big to be the Bates motel.  And a swimming pool, a nice one, meant we had a few hours of a traditional holiday, kicking back by the pool.  Got bored of that pretty swiftly, and went for a short stroll to the bottom of the valley, the river runs pretty much to the front of the lodge.

An onsite diner saw us eat a rather beige dinner, although perhaps am being a bit critical, there was lots of green stuff in my vegi sarnie, perhaps the healthiest I have eaten all trip. Spooked the kids by taking a night walk back down to the valley bottom, rustles in the bushes, and the imagination ran riot.  No doubt some interesting dreams tonight.