Our route from Lake Isabella immediately took us high up into the beautiful wooded mountains, winding steadily through the Disneyland of fragrant trees to 7,000 ft then down the other side to the fabulous orange orchards surrounding Fresno.  The mountain homes were incredibly picturesque built in an alpine stye with stone & spruce & shingles – all of which were plentiful, lots of ooohing & aaahing again.  The lowlands were a giant fruit bowl.  Orange groves as far as you could see in every direction (no wonder they export to us), then cherries, peach & almond.  Yes, aunty, of course I tried the cherries & nectarines – the sweetest I’ve ever had!  Saw large almond shelling station & enjoyed the best glass of juice at breakfast, mmm.

Paid our fees & entered the majestic Sequoia park.  Again, we rode higher & higher, back up to 7,000ft, winding through these stately trees.  Loved the smell, had a few photo stops, loved the trees.  Stayed near Yosemite Forks at a great hotel, great meaning fantastic, unheated, refreshing pool, then tasty Mexican dinner with enormous strawberry margaritas for a great sleep.

Next day, we arrived at Yosemite National Park for a full day of incredible sightseeing.  Spent the whole day looking for bears, but alas, they were hiding from us.  In this park, the road mostly follows the canyon floor, but not before we’d taken in some more wonderful vistas.  We are all contantly amazed at the rock formations, how trees appear to grow out of rock, the HUGE size of everything, always!  This was such a pretty place, widing along beside a pretty river.  Entertained by the ever present squirrels & blue woodpeckers.  Lots of families emptying their SUVs to ride bikes, kayak or float on colourful inflatable toys down the river.  Spectacular waterfalls,Bridalveil falls turned to mist before reaching the bottom, wow.  We found a secluded spot & joined a family heading to NZ next week for a refreshing dip in one of the many mountain streams, even had our own waterfall but was too chilly for Jayne.

Back on the road, lost count of how many times we climbed to 7,000 ft & back, eventually raced down to the valley plains & my, how the heat hit us again!  Emptied my camelback cooling my neck& legs, a handy trick.  Scooted along through dry farmland & ranches (poor beasties) & stopped in Oakdale for the night.  Our waitress had an endless supply of jokes for us.