The saying, "pictures tell a thousand words" may be true, but whether or not they tell the truth is debatable. I wouldn't want you to get too attached to any notion from this picture that the whole campout was a smiley piece of pie. Lots of it was, but no great adventure ever went just as planned. Let's just say the moment this picture was taken was indeed blithesome.
Here we are starting out. I have just picked up my cousin Keaton and we're ready to take off to the City of Rocks. Yosemite gives her shout of approval... or maybe she's yawning... or hungry...?
The initial excitement was too much and she slept most of the way.
At the gates of the City we were stopped by a heard of cows blocking the road. The head cow herder had us drive up through them honking as we went. I think he just wanted us to speed up his job.
Site 60 is probably one of the most beautiful in the reserve. Yosemite's first real look at the great outdoors was one of amazement. I wonder if she has ever felt the world so open around her before.
Here's her travel bed. She took to it easily and slept like she does at home. What a trooper!
Wanted to see how comfortable she really was sleeping outside. She enjoyed the hammock for about 3 seconds.
Sunny outdoor outfit. After this was taken, it got really hot and we should have driven home right then. Instead we climbed a little, ate lunch and climbed some more. I was very excited to be outside, very excited to have my little girl with me and very excited to climb and all that kept me from wanting to see that she wasn't having all that much fun in the hot sun (neither was my sweet wife). We didn't start driving home till about 2pm. Yosemite got a little heat exhaustion but recovered quickly as Marni kept her hydrated and cool.
If there's anything to be learned, it's that Yosemite rocks at camping, but the heat can be dangerous. I'm so proud of my little girl and her incredible mother for taking this adventure with their over-excited dad. the City of Rocks is a diamond of a destination and one of the most beautiful places we've been privileged to visit, but nothing is as precious as my very own family. Peace out.
