We left Death Valley on Christmas Eve and found an isolated, empty campground on the banks of the Kern River near Bakersfield. Luckily Father Christmas found it too and we woke up early on Christmas Day to great excitement. After cake and presents (all small and useful!), we drove North. The thousands of nodding donkeys eventually gave way to orange groves and finally alpine meadows as we approached the Sierra Nevada. Our intention to visit the sequoia groves in the National Park was delayed due to the legal requirement for snow chains. After an overnight stay by another river, and duly equipped for the snow (Father Christmas should have thought ahead!) - we headed up into the mountains to see the biggest trees in the world, and indeed the largest living thing on the planet - the General Sherman Tree.
After a brief warm-up drive we ascended again into the mountains - and refitted our tire chains with practised ease! We rounded the corner into Yosemite Valley with perfect timing to view the late afternoon sun on El Capitan and Half Dome Mountain.
Despite the snow and largely overcast weather, we had a fabulous two days hiking around the cliffs and waterfalls before coming back to base and leaving the girls outside in the cold, equipped only with new headtorches and the incredibly useful toy dustpan, to build a family of snowmen - whilst we stayed inside making encouraging noises through the windows, equipped with a glass of wine.
Do you realise that you are rearing a pair of wonderfully well-adjusted little girls with all this travelling - nothing will faze them! Glad you are still having fun - it all looks wonderful. I like the General Sherman tree. Caroxx
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