Day 30 - Mariposa, CA

Today was to be a tour of Yosemite (a Native American name for grizzly bears, the last of which was shot in California about 1906) but as our federal government has shut down “nonessential” people and activities an alternative was found. 

A private 26-passenger bus and an experienced guide were found for a day of adventure.  Off for a drive through many small gold-mining towns with special notice of Mariposa and Mariposa Creek where so many miners tried their luck.  We saw some Yosemite wild life—a flock of wild turkeys.  Later an owl flew in front of our bus.  

Our guide shared with us that the town of Mariposa was so named since every five to six years millions of butterflies descend upon the town for three days of beauty and annoyance.  Beauty due to the butterflies gorgeous fluttering wings; annoyance because there are so many butterflies you step on them trying to walk down the street and have to turn on your windshield wipers to wipe them off so you can drive. 

Up and down and round the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains on scenic roads we went.  No water falls since it is fall (not spring with snow melting) and because of the drought this year with less than 35% of the usual rainfall.  We headed off for the giant sequoia trees in Elder Grove past Murphy’s Summit at 4,478 feet.  Our bus went up the mountain to about 6,000 feet. The first giant sequoia we saw was spectacular.  We all walked out to see it even though it was raining, the first rain in months.  Our guide began to share information with us when the rain turned to huge giant snowflakes. 

 

Although prepared to deal with rain, some of us found the cold and the snow a bit much and walked back to the bus while other, hardier souls walked further to see a whole grove of sequoias.  

After everyone returned—covered with snow-- we headed back down the mountain for the scenic drive over to Bass Lake. 

Bass Lake’s water level was very low due to the season, the drought, and the legal necessity to use some of the lake water for agricultural purposes.  But it was fun to see the recreational area that those who love fishing enjoy.  

Upon arrival at the Bass Lake picnic area we all voted to eat inside on the bus out of the rain.  Hex and Sandy had Subway sandwiches ready for us to add our choices of onions, peppers, olives, etc; a bag of chips; 
a drink; and a Granola bar for dessert.   

Looking at the weather we then voted to head back over the scenic foothills to the campground for a quiet evening.

Submitted by:  Virginia Nehring #14