Day 6 Yosemite, IT WAS AMAZING!!!

Everyone was up at 5:30 a.m.  It took me a little extra time to talk Sam into walking out to the van and jumping in...like any kid he would have liked to just stay where he was but he had no idea about the beauty and amazing scenery that was in store for him.  He calmed down and settled in as we headed out on the 5 hour drive to Yosemite National Park.  As we got close we stopped to take a potty break and pick up some beverages and then headed into the park.  Unlike other road trips I did not have to do much research because this time we had a knowledgeable guide along with us.  My brother Dave had been to Yosemite many times and knew the must see areas which makes a trip like this so much easier.  A new experience for Dave was entering the park from a different direction, so he did get to see some new things.  We ran into a little bit of road construction which slowed us down for a while but shortly after we entered the park we saw our first waterfall.

Brooke, Danielle and I walked the path to get a closer look as Dave and Sam chilled at the van.

The path started out as a wood path through a prairie area and then took us into a wooded area with beautiful rocks, streams and tiny waterfalls.

As we got closer you couldn't help but be amazed by the beautiful surroundings and the peace that is only found in the wilderness.

The further we walked the louder the falls became and between the sound of the water, the beautiful blue sky and the amazing scenery...I was sure it doesn't get much better than this.

But Uncle Dave had bigger plans, our next stop was Glacier Point.

As we traveled to Glacier Point I got to see one of the things I love most about our road trips.  Those times when Sam is so engaged and interested in what he is seeing outside his window. I would love to spend some time in that little boy's head, hearing what he is thinking as he sees the amazing waterfalls, mountains and nature as only God could make it.

Out of every window were views that words can't even describe...so I'll let the pictures do the talking.

The beauty of Mirror Lake.

Prairies meeting mountains.

As we drove you heard, "Wow, look at that", "Cool", "Stop, picture time", "Uncle Dave, this is awesome".  But none of that could prepare us for the view from Glacier Point.

It was as Brooke put it "Breathtaking!"

How do you put into words the vastness and beauty of this view. Here is one of my favorite pictures of Brooke and Danielle just trying to take it all in.  

And what did Sam make of it???? I think these two pictures pretty much sum it up!!

It was AMAZING!!

Brooke and Danielle said they could have stayed there all day, just looking, taking it all in, overwhelmed by the vastness, the beauty of God's creation!!

This was one of my favorite pictures of the prairie squirrel taking it all in.



And here is Brooke at the top of the world!!



It was fun to watch Sam turn around time after time as if he was trying to memorize the view.

When I was first planning this trip Brooke and Danielle said they wanted to do some serious hiking because Uncle Dave would be with.  So I talked it over with Dave and he thought they would really enjoy a hike he had done in the past to Half Dome and then you climb to get to the top.  As we got closer we realized you needed a hike permit and we ran out of time.  Good thing...because both of the girls got major headaches and didn't feel all that well when we just drove to the higher elevations.  I pointed out to them Half Dome which is pictured below.



And here was their reaction....



They were like...are you kidding Uncle Dave????  We would have died.
I really love this picture of Danielle and Sam.



Here are a few more from this vantage point.





These little guys kept Sam entertained the whole time!







Someone was nice enough to offer to take a group photo for us.



After a while we said our final goodbyes to this amazing view and we headed back to the truck.





As we drove back through the park we found many places to stop to snap a quick picture.





As were leaving the park we came across this lone wolf.



And being the Mom I am reminded everyone to please keep your arms and legs in the vehicle at all times.



So much beauty and so little time to take it all in.

We left the park and headed for a hotel so Dave could meet up with one of his old friends and Sam could lay down for a while.  Thankfully Dominoes now has gluten free pizza...and Sam was in heaven!!  Stay tuned for our adventures in King's Canyon. 

As we are leaving tomorrow for Baltimore to meet with two specialists regarding Sam's hip, the next post will have to wait for our return.  I think I've given you enough to enjoy for the next couple of days.  Good night everyone.  Please take a moment and include Sam in your prayers that this trip answers some of our questions and we come away with a plan to help Sam regain his mobility.  I am hoping that our next road trip diary shows Sam mobile and active.