Sequoia and Yosemite

Terry and Andy have had a week to rest up from their Mariner trip.

Now Andy is anxious to see some more of "Nature." He wants to drive to the High Sierras.

He's taking Terry to Sequoia National Park for a couple of days, and they plan to return home through Yosemite National Park and Highway 395 in the High Desert.


They take Terry's van up to Lodgepole Campground in the forest of Sequoia National Park.

It is very peaceful up here and the air is fresh and clean. The forest is beautiful.

They stay for two days in Sequoia and then they drive out to Fresno, have a little lunch, and then drive up north through the mountains to Yosemite Valley.

The valley is beautiful, but crowded, as always.

So they drive up into the high country of Yosemite Park where there is a bit more room, and fewer people.

They find a place to stop at Tuolomne Meadows, elevation 8700 feet.

They were not prepared for the mosquitoes up here, so they stay only for the night.

The following day Andy and Terry drive through the Sierras to Tioga Lake...

and then they descend out of the mountains onto Andy's favorite highway, Route 395 for the return home.

They stop for a while at serene Convict Lake, only two miles off the highway.

Later on they get a look at Mount Whitney from the Lone Pine Visitor Center.

Finally they reach home. It's always great to be back home...

but it's time to start preparing for the trip to the Baltic Sea... in two short weeks.

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Andy and Terry will fly to London on July 20, and they will return on August 2.

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There is a lot of packing to do. See you in a few weeks.

Mariner Sail Away Day (Part One)

This morning Andy and Terry will pack up and drive down to the ship, The Mariner of the Seas, in San Pedro Harbor.

They board at noon, and set out to explore this large new ship.

It is HUGE inside. Right down the center of the ship is a four story mall which resembles a European street lined with cafes, shops, and taverns.

The street is called "The Promenade."

Above the Promenade are 3 floors of cabins with a view of the shops below.







At each end of the Promenade is a huge open centrum where the elevators run.






On a lower deck is an ICE SKATING RINK, and on the top decks are a miniature golf course and a huge rock climbing wall.



Andy and Terry soon realize that this is the largest ship they have ever seen!

And it will be their home for the next seven days.


After the Life Boat Safety Drill the ship sets out for San Francisco.



Very few cruise ships travel from Los Angeles to San Francisco, but, thanks to the Swine Flu scare in Mexico, they are headed north, instead of south to Mexico.

The following afternoon, the Mariner approaches San Francisco Harbor.

Everybody is out on deck to see our approach toward the Golden Gate Bridge. Not many people get to view the bridge from this angle.

Passing under the bridge was a unique experience.

The Mariner finally docks right next to Fisherman's Wharf.

Having been to San Francisco a number of times, Andy and Terry have no need to rush out to see the regular tourist attractions.

After unsuccessfully trying to contact Grandson, Aaron (who has been working and going to school here for the last four years) Terry and Andy decide to accompany their friends, Gary and Nanette, on a hike up the steepest hill they can find.

(They later found that Aaron is working full time and going to summer school, so that is why they could not get in touch with him.

COIT TOWER is located on top of a very high hill.

To get to the top, all you have to do is climb stair, after stair, after stair...

There are lots of beautiful private gardens all along this steep hill.

FINALLY you get to the top... where you can see a lot of OTHER hills, and the famous Lombard Street (upper right).

Climbing to Coit Tower saps everyone's strength, so they begin their return to the ship.






This diner is a local landmark. It is said to be the location for several movies.

Back aboard the ship, there are some excellent views of the city from the fourteenth deck.





......................................Alcatraz

This page has become a bit lengthy, so we'll continue it with a new entry.

More of the Mariner (Part Two)

Previously, Terry and Andy were in San Francisco, aboard the Royal Caribbean Mariner of the Seas.


From San Francisco, the ship traveled north for two days to beautiful Vancouver Island, just off the Canadian coast.





They see that we are docked alongside the very new Carnival ship, the Splendor.




They take a good look at the Splendor.



Why? ...



because they intend to travel aboard this ship to Mexico later this year.



Andy and Terry decide to walk about two miles into the harbor city of Victoria.

After a pleasant walk through Victoria, they return to the ship for a rest.

They prepare for tomorrow, when they expect to arrive in their final port, Seattle, Washington.

Their only plan while in Seattle is to visit the famous Pike Place Market, only a short walk from the pier.

This is a gigantic, crazy place, full of veggies,







and flowers...







and most importantly... SEAFOOD!

After spending the afternoon filling their eyes with all of the sights at Pike Place, it's time to return to the ship for a nice dinner, and to get ready to enjoy the two day journey home to San Pedro.

Throughout the voyage, Andy and Terry participate in several Trivia Contests on board the ship, and their team comes in first place MOST of the time.

Too bad there are no cash prizes awarded in these contests..

Finally, after seven days at sea, they dock in San Pedro on Sunday morning, and they head home to rest up from their vacation.




They have other adventures in mind, and as soon as their bodies are recharged, they'll be off again.





Where to next???