We have been in Chowchilla, CA., about 150 miles southeast of San Francisco, for a week.  There is not much going on in this town of 18,720, but it has some interesting history since it's first post office was established in 1912 and the city incorporation in 1923.   The good points are a really nice, clean Safe Mart grocery store 1/2 mile from the park and a Catholic Church only 1.8 miles away with very little attendance.   We spent one afternoon  exploring  2 wineries in Madera, a community about 15 miles south of Chowchilla.   Although it is not as well know as the Napa or Sonoma Valleys it has a wine trail of 10 wineries.   Although we had to buy a bottle of locally produced and distributed wine, the best purchase of the day were 2 bags of pistachios, also locally grown.    

We also ventured a trip to Yosemite National Park.   It is located about 80 miles northeast of Chowchilla, but it is a 2 hour and 10 minute one way drive.   All roads but the Tioga Road that runs the entire width of the park were opened.  The Tioga, still closed due to snow cover, does not usually open until late May or June.   Yosemite N.P., reaches across the western  Sierra Nevada and encompasses over 761,000 acres, 1189 square miles and is the size of Rhode Island,   but as the shuttle driver informed us most all of the  3.9 million annual  visitors only visit  7 square miles of the Yosemite Valley.

We picked the perfect time of year to visit.  There were enough people there to make it interesting, but not so crowded that you had to wait for shuttles, food service or in line to grab a picture.   Also the best time to view the massive waterfalls are in April since they are totally dry by summer.

As in most photography of natural wonders, pictures do not do it justice.   But here are a few:

Upper Yosemite Falls

Lower Yosemite Falls, one of the parks easier hikes.  
Yes, we did get our camera back and yes, Ron is more trusting than I am! 

El Capitan, (7,569 ft elevation)  a vertical rock formation of granite monolith that extends about 3,000 feet from  summit along its tallest face and is one of the world's challenges for rock climbers.   We didn't see any the day we were there. 

Half Dome - a  granite dome,  extending 4,737 feet above the valley floor at an 8,840 feet elevation  is probably  Yosemite's most familiar rock formation, as shown on the state quarter and was the inspiration for The North Face corporate logo.  The view from the valley looks like only 1/2 the dome exists is an illusion.   To see Half Dome closer requires an 8.2 mile cable hike.   Needless to say we only viewed from the valley.

Half Dome later in the day engulfed by low lying clouds.

Bridalveil Falls

Tunnel View scenic overlook and historic site.    This overlook affords expansive views of Yosemite Valley, El Capitan, Bridalveil Falls and Half Dome.  

One of my favorite pictures.

One of the areas we wanted to see was the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias.   The drive from Yosemite Valley was  just over 1 hour.   We arrived around 4:30pm  which we felt was too late for the 2 mile up hill hike to the grove so we only were able to view a few at the entry.   Starting in May there is a tram that takes you up to the top.....the only way to go for us.   We will just have to come back!    

Picture of the base of one of the "smaller" Sequoias.   We don't have the right camera equipment 

to get really good pictures of the full tree.  They can live for over 2,000 years and their trunks can reach over 25 feet thick. 

We will be leaving Chowchilla tomorrow heading for the San Francisco Bay area.   I have a first cousin that I've only met once before (I think) and that was several years ago.  

  He is very excited about our visit and so are we!

Hope all is well!