Donna M. Byrne

50/50/50
50th Wedding Anniversary
50th State Visited (Hawaii)
50th State Added to Union Read more

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Day 24
Monday, April 15, 2019
⛅ 16 °C
Altitude: Sea level
North Pacific Ocean 28.95, -129.4166728°57’0” N 129°25’0” W
1 1
Pacific Ocean
April 15, 2019, North Pacific Ocean ⋅ ⛅ 16 °C
The first thing that hits you about this ship is the cleanliness.

And the genuine friendliness of the entire staff. They are not working for tips. All of that is included in the fare. The meals are outstanding and we love the fresh fruit delivered to our stateroom every morning.

Denny and I walked the Promenade Deck after breakfast passing underneath our designated lifeboat on each lap. We had a mandatory muster drill before we left port so we would know where to go in case of . . .

Sunsicle rum drinks in the Crow's Nest and balcony reading filled the afternoon followed by the Gala Dinner this evening.

We could get used to this.Read more
June ... Green w/envy... jackets??? You FIT the surroundings🥰
4/16/19Reply
TravelerWhat a prize for 50 years!!! Tom
4/16/19Reply
💜 Peggy
4/16/19Reply
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Day 25
Tuesday, April 16, 2019
⛅ 19 °C
Altitude: Sea level
North Pacific Ocean 25.86571, -139.3856925°51’57” N 139°23’8” W
Pacific Ocean
April 16, 2019, North Pacific Ocean ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C
What time is it? What date is it? What day is it?

All relevant questions when traveling across several different time zones. Then throw in the fact that some places like Arizona and Hawaii don't observe Daylight Saving Time.

What a mess!

Our usually reliable Smartphone kept us on track during this whole trip - until now. My phone at this minute is telling me it's 2:52. I have no idea what day it thinks it is.

It is actually 6:52 PM on Tuesday, April 16. The Captain announced this morning that we will be gaining another hour some time today. The staff changes the rugs daily in the elevators to make sure we know the day. 😊

Speaking of the Captain - nice chap from New Zealand name of John Scott. He has spent 44 years at sea so we feel pretty safe in his hands. He also announced this morning that we have about 12,000 feet of Pacific Ocean under us right now and we are right on schedule for arrival at Lahaina on Maui on Friday.

Our wonderful neighbors sent us some great pictures of our blooming redbuds back at our house. Thank you, Peggy and Steve!

Sending blooming thoughts to all. 🌸Read more
TravelerIs that a glass floor? Or a floating carpet? No wonder your phone is confused! Happy landing tomorrow
4/18/19Reply
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Day 26
Wednesday, April 17, 2019
🌙 20 °C
Altitude: Sea level
North Pacific Ocean 24.3, -144.3433324°18’0” N 144°20’36” W
Pacific Ocean
April 17, 2019, North Pacific Ocean ⋅ 🌙 20 °C
Today is Wednesday. I know that because my elevator told me so.

Walking the Promenade Deck after breakfast has become our daily routine. What a great way to start the day! Reading on the balcony and watching the Pacific Ocean float by ain't bad either.

There are many dining options on board and tonight we chose Asian. We started with something called a Ritz Cocktail in the lounge of the restaurant watching the sun set over the Pacific.

We ended with some very unusual desserts. The middle of the meal was filled with much more food than we could possibly eat.

Check out our "Doggie Bag " in the picture.Read more
Hi Denny and Donna, I’m just now catching up on your trip. As I sit here at work waiting for a call to come I have been traveling with you from Cross Junction to where you are now cruising on the Pacific Ocean. I’ve enjoyed the history lessons and the pictures. What an incredible travel log/journal you are creating!
4/18/19Reply
Oops wasn’t finished. Hit send too soon. You were in Knoxville the weekend Jack and I were heading out of town for Key West. After our first overnight in Lexington our next stop was outside Knoxville two days after you were there in Maryville where I went to college. We were hot on your trail! Blacksburg and Bristol were stops on the train I took from Jersey to Knoxville for four years of college.
4/18/19Reply
Did it again. Found out you can’t press “return” cause it sends the comment. When you were in Phoenix you were very close to Eric and Drea who live in the historic area of the city. Glad you are enjoying your time on the cruise, especially the relaxing part after all the driving and touring you had been doing. Love that you learn the day from the elevator rug! Okay think that catches me up on your trip. I Look forward to following you each day from now on. Love to you both, Sandy
4/18/19Reply
TravelerThe ocean views are spectacular
4/19/19Reply
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Day 27
Thursday, April 18, 2019
🌙 22 °C
Altitude: Sea level
North Pacific Ocean 21.39, -153.3983321°23’24” N 153°23’54” W
1
1
Pacific Ocean
April 18, 2019, North Pacific Ocean ⋅ 🌙 22 °C
We did a lot of walking on the Promenade Deck today and then explored some of the upper decks among the smokestacks. The sun went down and the moon came up. It will be full tomorrow so ... Wahoo!
Are those solar panels!???
4/19/19Reply
Traveler Wow that’s gorgeous!
4/19/19Reply
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Day 28
Friday, April 19, 2019
⛅ 27 °C
Altitude: Sea level
United States Honolulu Channel 21.29694, -157.8702121°17’49” N 157°52’13” W
1
Maui, Hawaii
April 19, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 27 °C
The ship delivered us to shore by means of a tender. We then boarded a motorcoach which navigated the 33 switchbacks with no problem. That's how you get to the top of Haleakala and view the immense crater of this volcano. It last erupted 400 - 600 years ago and could again. It is only at rest.

Our tour included a wonderful lunch at a local golf course and then it was off to a semi-tropical rainforest known as Iao Valley. Wow!

That full moon was visible all night long.Read more
Traveler Look at that rainbow!
4/21/19Reply
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Day 28
Friday, April 19, 2019
⛅ 28 °C
Altitude: 210 ft
United States Hyashi Village (historical)20.825, -156.4966720°49’30” N 156°29’48” W
2 2
Maui, Hawaii
April 19, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 28 °C
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From June:///What a FUN way to tour!!!
4/20/19Reply
June..... absolutely beautiful 🌴🍃🌿
4/20/19Reply
Traveler Ok, what are those things in the bed of the truck?!🤔
4/21/19Reply
Traveler Coconuts 🥥?
4/21/19Reply
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Day 29
Saturday, April 20, 2019
⛅ 27 °C
Altitude: 30 ft
United States Berth Number 10 21.30768, -157.86721°18’28” N 157°52’1” W
Oahu, Hawaii
April 20, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 27 °C
Our visit to the Pearl Harbor Memorial in Honolulu started with a very well done documentary which described the events leading up to the attack on our planes and ships. The film included footage from that day in 1941.

After the movie, we climbed aboard a Navy launch for the short trip out to the memorial. Unfortunately, we could not actually step foot onto the Memorial. It has been closed for repairs for almost a YEAR. They have no idea when it will reopen.

Our tour included a stop at the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum. Looking up at the windows in Hanger 79 we could see bullet holes from the day of the attack.

We also had a chance to visit the USS Missouri which is docked nearby. The surrender documents were signed aboard her while she sat in Tokyo Bay. There is a wonderful photograph hanging on the ship taken during the signing. Douglas MacArthur is the one seated and Senator John McCain's grandfather is in the front row.

The National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific is a final resting place for many WWII veterans.

We ended the day with a drive around beautiful Honolulu.Read more
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Day 29
Saturday, April 20, 2019
⛅ 26 °C
Altitude: 23 ft
United States USS Arizona 21.36333, -157.9533321°21’48” N 157°57’12” W
Oahu, Hawaii
April 20, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 26 °C
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TravelerMy voyage to Pearl Harbor was not as elegant as yours. Tom
4/21/19Reply
Finally caught on to where your blog was buried in my tablet and how to navigate bloginess. Sounds like you and Donna are having a hell of a 50th. Hope you received my emails to your regular address. Looking forward to next set of pics.
4/21/19Reply
Ken
4/21/19Reply
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Day 31
Monday, April 22, 2019
⛅ 26 °C
Altitude: Sea level
North Pacific Ocean 21.855, -159.2016721°51’18” N 159°12’6” W
Kauai, Hawaii (Almost)
April 22, 2019, North Pacific Ocean ⋅ ⛅ 26 °C
The Captain's announcement explained in detail why he had to turn the Eurodam around. The seas were just too rough to dock safely at Nawiliwili on the island of Kauai. So for us it meant no:

Kauai Coffee Plantation
Kilohana Plantation Estate
Koloa Rum Company
Kauai Plantation Railway Ride

Oh well. We found some other stuff to do on board ship. Like:

Reading on the balcony
Watching the Ben Affleck movie Pearl Harbor
Eating ice cream cones on the Promenade Deck
Playing video poker in the Casino
Playing Scrabble in the Game Room

😎 😎Read more
Jan and I were on the Eurodam for Caribbean cruise three years ago. 25th Anniversary. Arranged for the Captain to renew our vows——Mark
4/22/19Reply
I am so sorry you couldn’t dock in Kauai.. Hope you’ll take another trip just to that island sometime in the future.
5/3/19Reply
Oops again. Forgot you can hit return. It is a beautiful island. Sandy
5/3/19Reply
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Day 31
Monday, April 22, 2019
☀️ 28 °C
Altitude: Sea level
United States Baby Pond Beach 19.63001, -156.0100919°37’48” N 156°0’36” W
1 1 2
Hawaii, Hawaii
April 22, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C
The island of Hawaii is the largest island in the Hawaiian chain. The natives call it The Biig Island. There are five volcanoes on Hawaii and we spent some time with them at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. We docked at the port of Hilo - the tsunami capital of the world - and were driven to the Park.

Kilauea Volcano is the one that kicked up her heels last year and made all the news. She didn't "blow her top" but just started seeping lava all over the place like right down into a housing development.

We passed many steam vents as we walked to Kilauea's crater to have a look down. As we stood on the edge of the crater the wind whipped the park brochure out of Denny's hands and right down into the volcano. A modern day sacrifice!

The rest of our day was filled with rainforests, waterfalls and no rain on our heads. It rains somewhere around Hilo 272 days a year - and it did rain today. Just not on us.Read more
Awesome beauty!!!!
4/23/19Reply
From June
4/23/19Reply
Traveler Nice
4/25/19Reply
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Day 31
Monday, April 22, 2019
⛅ 22 °C
Altitude: 4,003 ft
United States Sulphur Banks 19.43, -155.2566719°25’48” N 155°15’24” W
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April 22, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 22 °C
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Day 32
Tuesday, April 23, 2019
⛅ 28 °C
Altitude: Sea level
United States Baby Pond Beach 19.63161, -156.0063219°37’54” N 156°0’23” W
Hawaii
April 23, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 28 °C
The Atlantis Submarine Dive on Kona was pretty cool. We saw lots of tropical fish swimming among the corals and a few shipwrecks.

We are departing later this afternoon for Mexico so we took a tender back to the ship and watched The Descendants with George Clooney. The film was shot all over the Hawaiian Islands.

Goodbye Hawaii. And thanks.Read more
TravelerThis looks amazing!
4/25/19Reply
TravelerWOW 😲
4/26/19Reply
Thanks for the tour of Hawaii. I was there in 1968. Didn’t want to return to the mainland. Visited Oahu, Maui, the Big Island and Kauai over a period of three weeks. Sandy
5/3/19Reply
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Day 33
Wednesday, April 24, 2019
⛅ 27 °C
Altitude: 13 ft
Mexico Estero el Salado 20.65763, -105.2413420°39’27” N 105°14’29” W
Pacific Ocean
April 24, 2019 in Mexico ⋅ ⛅ 27 °C
Looks like Denny and I have come down with sore throats and colds so we took the day off!

Bummer. 😥
TravelerSorry for the sore throat and cold,but keep the medicine close by. Tom
4/25/19Reply
Did you see the Capt James Cook Monument on the shore at Kona? Sore throats i Hawaii? Oh no, take care. Doug B.
4/25/19Reply
TravelerOh no! I hope that you both feel better soon.
4/25/19Reply
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Day 34
Thursday, April 25, 2019
⛅ 27 °C
Altitude: 13 ft
Mexico Estero el Salado 20.65761, -105.2413120°39’27” N 105°14’29” W
Pacific Ocean
April 25, 2019 in Mexico ⋅ ⛅ 27 °C
Got to meet the ship's doctor today. Nice chap from South Africa. He and his wife love taking road trips just like Denny and I do. Only theirs are in Africa.

Anyway, we walked out of the Medical Center with a bag of goodies that hopefully will put us right. The hot tea with lemon and honey just wasn't getting the job done so we went the antibiotic route.

Thanks for all the well wishes. You're right, Zuk, we need your Boilo!Read more
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Day 35
Friday, April 26, 2019
⛅ 26 °C
Altitude: 13 ft
Mexico Estero el Salado 20.65761, -105.2413420°39’27” N 105°14’29” W
Pacific Ocean
April 26, 2019 in Mexico ⋅ ⛅ 26 °C
Finally, all the meds are starting to kick in. The cold and cough we could deal with but the SORE THROAT. Yikes! That is what drove us to the Medical Center. The doctor described it as swallowing with razor blades in the throat. He was right. Apparently the overhead air system in the staterooms plays havoc with the respiratory system.

After three days in bed we sure are rested. Reading, crossword puzzles and movies filled our days.

By the way, we are getting all of your comments even though they are not showing up on your end. Thank you.Read more
TravelerGlad you are getting some relief! Hopefully you can get back to enjoying your adventures!!😘
4/26/19Reply
TravelerGlad that you are feeling better
4/27/19Reply
TravelerDon’t forget the many healing properties of tequila!
4/27/19Reply
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Day 36
Saturday, April 27, 2019
☁️ 25 °C
Altitude: 13 ft
Mexico Estero el Salado 20.65763, -105.2413420°39’27” N 105°14’29” W
Pacific Ocean (Still)
April 27, 2019 in Mexico ⋅ ☁️ 25 °C
For some reason the travel blog folks have had us in Mexico for the last several days. Not so. Not so.

We took it kind of easy again today. Still recovering. Denny's ribs hurt so much from sneezing and coughing and this was Donna's first day in four without the sore throat from hell!

I have a small homework assignment for all. I would like you to Google - Azipod Thrusters manufactured in Helsinki, Finland. I'll explain tomorrow.

😎Read more
Hope you are both getting healthy again. Gratefully our 2,500 mile road trip to Florida was without any health issues! Great time in Key West and Amelia Island. Ed is struggling to keep his tan now that we are back in Fairfax . His renewed enthusiasm with the lawn is more about being in the sunshine!Joyce & Ed
4/28/19Reply
Geez, I hope the thrusters didn’t get a sore throat, too.
4/28/19Reply
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Day 37
Sunday, April 28, 2019
⛅ 27 °C
Altitude: 13 ft
Mexico Estero el Salado 20.65763, -105.2413420°39’27” N 105°14’29” W
Ensenada, Mexico (Briefly)
April 28, 2019 in Mexico ⋅ ⛅ 27 °C
So I trust you all did your homework on Azipod Thrusters and learned that they are marine propulsion units with steerable gondolas or pods.

Well, during regular maintenance of the propellers before we were scheduled to leave Hawaii, Eurodam divers discovered a HUGE commercial fishing net completely entangled on one of the Thrusters. They were able to remove the net but with closer inspection it was determined that a seal was broken and was leaking.

Long story short - we were not in any danger but repairs need to be made. We stopped for about an hour in Ensenada, Mexico - some paperwork and immigration stuff but not long enough for a shore excursion - and are now headed for San Diego to start the repairs.

We will disembark there tomorrow morning, walk across the street, pick up our car and head north.

The adventure continues.

P. S. We sure will miss our cabin steward's daily towel animals. Ayu really outdid herself today.Read more
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Day 37
Sunday, April 28, 2019
⛅ 18 °C
Altitude: 43 ft
United States B Street Pier 32.71833, -117.17532°43’6” N 117°10’30” W
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San Diego, California
April 28, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C
Part Two of April 28

Our ship made it back to San Diego safe and sound.

And so did we.

We packed up all our stuff and decided to celebrate. The filets and lobster were the way to go. And, of course, we just happened to mention our anniversary to our waiter and - ta da we were presented with a yummy chocolate dessert. (We are milking this for all we can get!)

The Captain handed out stats from the voyage:

Miles Traveled - 5,142
Officers and Crew - 836
Nationalities of Crew - 40
Fuel Used - 340,000 Gallons
Average Speed - 16.5 Knots
Eggs Consumed - 24,000Read more
TravelerLooking good. Just take the rich life easy! Tom
4/29/19Reply
TravelerWelcome back to dry land
4/29/19Reply
How rooooomantic for such a happy couple❤️❤️😍
4/29/19Reply
Traveler You guys are looking good!!😘
4/29/19Reply
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Day 38
Monday, April 29, 2019
⛅ 17 °C
Altitude: 52 ft
United States Stanton Storm Channel 33.80442, -118.015633°48’16” N 118°0’56” W
Cypress, California
April 29, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C
Richard Nixon's father, Frank, was a citrus grower in Yorba Linda, California, in the early 1900's. He built a small house for his wife Hannah and their children. Richard was born in 1913 and lived there until 1922 when the family moved to Whittier.

Denny and I visited the Richard Nixon Library and Museum which sits on the grounds of the former citrus farm. His home is still there, which contains 90% of the original furnishings, including the bed where Nixon was born.

The museum is very well done and does not shy away from Watergate. In fact, we watched a movie that opens with the resignation before launching into his legacy - the China trip, EPA, etc.

Richard Nixon and his wife Pat are buried in a beautiful rose garden right next to the house that raised him.

Such a quiet, peaceful setting.Read more
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Day 39
Tuesday, April 30, 2019
☁️ 15 °C
Altitude: 285 ft
United States Taylor Junction 34.06167, -118.21534°3’42” N 118°12’54” W
Simi Valley, California
April 30, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 15 °C
We waved hello and goodbye to Los Angeles from our car windows driving along the 5. Previous visits had us spending many days taking in all the sights - even sitting in the audience for a taping of Jeopardy. But this time we just drove on to Mission Hills, California.

We had one more stop to make.

"The Day the Music Died", according to the song written by Don McLean, was on February 3, 1959. That's the day three young and very talented musicians died in a plane crash in Clear Lake, Iowa.

Those of you who have been following our every move on this blog (😀) remember that we stopped in Texas to pay respects to J.R. Richardson, Jr. (The Big Bopper ") and Buddy Holly.

Today was Ritchie Valens.

Ritchie had a girlfriend that he admired a great deal. He thought so much of her that he wrote a song for her with her name in the title. It just happens to be one of my favorite songs.

" Donna "Read more
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Day 40
Wednesday, May 1, 2019
☀️ 21 °C
Altitude: 417 ft
United States City of Bakersfield 35.36746, -119.0393735°22’3” N 119°2’22” W
Bakersfield, California
May 1, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C
And then there were none.

Denny and I started visiting presidential gravesites purely by accident. Mt. Vernon (George Washington) was close to where we lived. Arlington Cemetery (JFK and William Howard Taft) was a stop whenever we had visitors in town. We made many visits to the National Cathedral in DC for holidays (Woodrow Wilson and Helen Keller and her teacher Anne Sullivan) . Hollywood Cemetery in Richmond (John Tyler and James Monroe) was part of our Civil War education.

But then something special happened when we were in Springfield, Illinois standing next to Abraham Lincoln. A feeling that really can't be explained.

We decided to extend that feeling and visit every single presidential gravesite.

Denny found this great book a few years back:
"Who's Buried in Grant's Tomb?" which we used as a guide for our quest. And today we completed our goal: The final gravesite.

The Ronald Reagan Library and Museum is located at the top of a hill in majestic Simi Valley, California. The resting places of Reagan and his wife Nancy look out over this beautiful sight.

The museum houses Air Force One, the plane Reagan used while he was president. Pretty cool to be able to walk through it.

Our drive to Bakersfield was filled with orange trees, various crops in the fields and mile after mile of mountains the likes of which we have never seen before.Read more
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Day 40
Wednesday, May 1, 2019
⛅ 17 °C
Altitude: 1,227 ft
United States Fairview 34.34167, -118.9033334°20’30” N 118°54’12” W
Bakersfield, California
May 1, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C
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TravelerAre those onion fields? Very Waumbaugh
5/2/19Reply
Gorgeous! 💜Peg &Steve
5/14/19Reply
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Day 41
Thursday, May 2, 2019
☀️ 22 °C
Altitude: 1,453 ft
United States East Fork Kaweah River 36.48667, -118.8366736°29’12” N 118°50’12” W
1
Fish Camp, California
May 2, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C
I promise. No gravesites today. Only natural beauty.

Sequoia National Park beauty.

Denny and I saw the majestic Redwoods along the Pacific Coast of California many years ago and that memory has stayed with us through the years.

But we always longed to walk among the Giant Sequoias of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. And today we got to do just that.

The Redwoods and Sequoias have many differences. The Redwoods are taller (367 feet to 311 feet) but the Sequoias are fatter (22 feet in diameter to 40 feet at the base.)

We spent the day with General Sherman - the tree. He is 2,200 years old. 275 feet tall. 103 feet circumference at ground level.

By volume of total wood, Giant Sequoias are the Earth's largest living tree.Read more
Traveler Imagine how big the beaver who made that hole must have been!
5/4/19Reply
TravelerAstonishing, isn’t it?
5/4/19Reply
Wow! Peg&Steve
5/14/19Reply
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Day 42
Friday, May 3, 2019
⛅ 22 °C
Altitude: 2,297 ft
United States Indian Creek 37.67833, -119.7637°40’42” N 119°45’36” W
Elk Grove, California
May 3, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 22 °C
You hear about it your whole life and you think you are prepared for what you are about to see. Throw all of that out the window because Yosemite is nothing you are prepared for.

It is beyond belief.

El Captain. Half Dome. Bridalveil Fall. Cathedral Spires.

During our journey along the park road we passed by mile after mile of acreage burned during last summer's fires when folks were evacuated and the park was closed. The areas with cut tree stumps are where the firefighters tried to set up fire breaks in an attempt to stop the spread of the fire.

The lodge where we stayed was spared because the maintenance staff stayed behind and watered everything down.

Evidence of the fire is everywhere and the cleanup is still in progress.

Truly a day of astounding beauty and harsh reality.Read more
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Day 42
Friday, May 3, 2019
⛅ 15 °C
Altitude: 5,095 ft
United States Fish Camp 37.475, -119.6383337°28’30” N 119°38’18” W
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Elk Grove, California
May 3, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C
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Your pictures make me want to go there! Sandy
5/4/19Reply
Traveler Ooo... that’s dramatic!
5/4/19Reply
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