The gold rush to Columbia, California began March 27, 1850 by a group of prospectors. Columbia State Historic Park is the best preserved of California gold rush towns. Our friend Don's Grandmother and Mother ran the Fallon Hotel in the town. The day we were there, there was a large group of school children enjoying the town. You could also pan for gold there but could not tour the mine since the price of gold has gone up they are back mining it.

David at the Fallon Hotel

You could take a stage coach ride around town. Check out the Wells Fargo Building.

While we were in Yosemite we stayed close to Coulterville. It was an old mining town.

WHISTLING WILLIE

This 8 ton short wheel base, wood burning locomotive, built by H.K. Porter co. of Pittsburgh, Pa. was delivered to the Merced mining Co. in Coulterville in 1897. All of "Billy's" active life was spent hauling gold-bearing quartz ore over the narrow gauge tracks from one mine to another-a distance of only 4 miles. Abandoned in 1904 it was resurrected in the mid 1930's and placed here for all to enjoy especially DAVID!!

We hope you enjoy our pics of Yosemite.

Our first day in the park was a little snowy in the higher elevations. However, once in the meadow area it was very nice.

David at the Tunnel

Coming out of the tunnel this was our first look at Bridelveil Falls.

BRIDELVEIL FALLS

620 Feet

El Capitan

Yosemite Upper Falls

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Upper Falls

Another view of the falls

Upper Falls

View of Yosemite Falls from the Meadow

Me at Yosemite Upper and Lower falls

Upper Falls is 1430 Ft. Middle 675 ft. and lower is 320 ft. Total 2425 Ft.

Niagara Falls is only 167 ft.

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Upper and Lower Falls with Overhanging Rock in the foreground.

Next pic is a c.1900 with the dancing girls.

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HALF DOME

Millions of years ago the granite block of Half Dome was larger, but there never was a matching half..

Half Dome

David and Half Dome

This was a great vista view. To the left is El Capitan and Bridalveil Falls to the right.

CALIFORNIA TUNNEL TREE

This hole was cut in 1895 to allow horse-drawn stages to pass through.

This tree is located in the Mariposa Grove of Giant Soquoias in Yosemite.

David and me in the Tunnel Tree

FALLEN MONARCH

Biologists suspect that this tree has been down for centuries. The sequoias do not have deep tap roots, instead the roots spread out near the surface to capture water.

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We had two wonderful days in an absolutely fabulous National Park. We have been to over 100 National Parks and this ranks as one of the top 5.

As we were leaving we spotted this guy having dinner.

Sequoia and Kings Canyon Nationa Parks encompass the most rugged portions of the Sierra Nevada. From the highest peaks in the lower 48 states, Ice Age glaciers descended to carve some of the country's deepest canyons. In Sequoia the General's Highway climbs the stream-cut walls of the Kaweah canyon. Kings Canyon Scenic Byway passes through both gelogic profiles:where it ends, you can stand on canyon floor scoured flat by glaciers and stare up at canyon walls rising nearly one mile.

These two parks have giant trees, waterfalls, canyons and BEARS..

Is that a Keebler Elf??

Can you see our truck??

Lincoln Tree and David

GENERAL GRANT TREE and me

It stands 275 feet and is 1487 cubic meters round. It is estimated to be between 2300 to 2700 years old. It is the world largest living single stem tree by volume.

Kings Canyon

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This pic is for Pat Cote. I know how much you like to be on these curves!!

This was just one of many going down into the canyon and then turning around and coming back out. Not for the faint of heart.

Another canyon view

The beauty of nature

Grizzley Falls

Bear sighting

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Click older post for another bear sighting

We saw this guy as we were leaving the park last night around 5:30. We spotted him in a meadow looking for some dinner..

This is a fantastic National Park. I hope you enjoy the pictures. Tomorrow we will be going to Kings Canyon and we hope to get some more great pics.

Tunnel Rock. This was on the old road in the park.

We had only been in the park a short time before we came around a turn and there was a big black bear standing on the road. The truck scared him and he started running.

The higher we got into the park the colder it got and started to snow. Elevation over 7500 ft.

Yes that is me at the foot of this ginormous tree

Me and a Tree

David and a tree

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This car looks like a matchbox.

This tree fell in December 1937. It was 275 feet tall and base diameter was 21 feet.

The tunnel is 8 feet high and 17 feet wide.

Hope we fit.

It fits