Monday we spent the evening with Kim and Harlan and family in Ridgecrest. Maddie is going to Dordt in the fall so we picked up a couple of boxes for her as we had room in the RV and could easily take them to Sioux Center for her. It was a busy night for them as Bible School was going on each evening of that week from 5:30-8:30. Kim was teaching but she took us through the IMC to see the way the rooms and halls were all decorated in the theme of the week. Looked great.
The ups and 
downs in the title is referring to the altitude, not the emotions. After leaving Ridgecrest we made our way to a campground at Bridgeport, CA. While there we spent 2 days at Yosemite National Park. We had been there before but that was quite a few years ago. At the Ranger station the above sign was posted. Yes, it is really 9945 feet elevation. The scenery of the park really awed us once again. It has a lot of diversity as there are granite mountain, meadows, snow covered mountains, huge Sequoia trees and waterfalls. Each one unique and beautiful in its own way. As always we had to hike a few trails but most of them had such ups and downs that we didn't try to do the long distance ones. If the total distance was less than 2 miles we could handle that. I think the high altitude didn't help our endurance any either. While Tioga pass was a high the campground at Brigdport could 
be thought of as a low as far as elevation and other things were concerned. The people were extremely friendly and helpful. However the camping spots were meant for the days when RVs were shorter and didn't have slide-outs. Another masterful maneuver on Wilmer's part but he got it parked very well without going over the cliff behind our RV and into the water. People stood and looked to see how he could get into that spot. Thank goodness the spot opposite ours was empty at the time so he could overlap into it when getting into ours. Also they did not have cell phone service which really makes us feel like we have lost our connection with the world. Internet worked well so that was a good substitute. The towns and areas around the campground were like a picture out of an old western movie. I don't think our tastes are so high but we decided this was a little more rustic than we would like to live. But the scenery was still wonderful. We sat outside and watched the sun set and I thought it ironic that in the midst of all the splendor of nature this old rickety boat was sitting on the shore with the name of the campground - Paradise Shores. It is all in one's perspective I guess. We did enjoy the warm hospitality of the owner and his wife, and that makes so m
uch difference.
downs in the title is referring to the altitude, not the emotions. After leaving Ridgecrest we made our way to a campground at Bridgeport, CA. While there we spent 2 days at Yosemite National Park. We had been there before but that was quite a few years ago. At the Ranger station the above sign was posted. Yes, it is really 9945 feet elevation. The scenery of the park really awed us once again. It has a lot of diversity as there are granite mountain, meadows, snow covered mountains, huge Sequoia trees and waterfalls. Each one unique and beautiful in its own way. As always we had to hike a few trails but most of them had such ups and downs that we didn't try to do the long distance ones. If the total distance was less than 2 miles we could handle that. I think the high altitude didn't help our endurance any either. While Tioga pass was a high the campground at Brigdport could 
be thought of as a low as far as elevation and other things were concerned. The people were extremely friendly and helpful. However the camping spots were meant for the days when RVs were shorter and didn't have slide-outs. Another masterful maneuver on Wilmer's part but he got it parked very well without going over the cliff behind our RV and into the water. People stood and looked to see how he could get into that spot. Thank goodness the spot opposite ours was empty at the time so he could overlap into it when getting into ours. Also they did not have cell phone service which really makes us feel like we have lost our connection with the world. Internet worked well so that was a good substitute. The towns and areas around the campground were like a picture out of an old western movie. I don't think our tastes are so high but we decided this was a little more rustic than we would like to live. But the scenery was still wonderful. We sat outside and watched the sun set and I thought it ironic that in the midst of all the splendor of nature this old rickety boat was sitting on the shore with the name of the campground - Paradise Shores. It is all in one's perspective I guess. We did enjoy the warm hospitality of the owner and his wife, and that makes so m
uch difference. Lest you think everything we see is beautiful I show you the picture of a bear that was close to our hiking path. He looked straggly but didn't seem to have any interest in humans at the time so we were glad for that.
The snow on the mountains was thawing at a pretty good rate so the water falls had lots of water coming down them and since the meadows have snow until sometime in June the meadows were wet and just beginning to break out in blossom. We saw many flowers just about to pop open, another few days and the color would have been fantastic. Then in August the water stops running a
nd the ground drys up again and everything goes dormant until the snow comes again soon. We went in the Eastern gate of the Park and that road is only open for 4 months during the summer. The snow is too much of a problem for them to try to keep it open all year.
It is hard to do justice to a water fall on a picture but since someone asked to take our picture we went for it. At places like this in the US we often feel like we are in the minority speaking English and that is okay. The American dollar's low value really makes it attractive for people from other countries to come now. And I realize there are many people in our country that also speak other than English. Another interesting aspect of traveling is hearing all this diversity and knowing we all marvel at the same wonders
of nature, hope and pray they discern Who created and maintains this universe.
The second day of visiting the park we had taken our picnic lunch along. A picnic table was just to the right of this tree and scene. With Wilmer grilling hamburgers and I laying out the other goodies we sat and ate our dinner looking at this view. This tree is unique in that all the branches are on the south side of the tree and come slightly around on the 2 sides. The north side hasn't a hint of a branch even attempting to come out. What a mighty force the wind is.
nd the ground drys up again and everything goes dormant until the snow comes again soon. We went in the Eastern gate of the Park and that road is only open for 4 months during the summer. The snow is too much of a problem for them to try to keep it open all year.It is hard to do justice to a water fall on a picture but since someone asked to take our picture we went for it. At places like this in the US we often feel like we are in the minority speaking English and that is okay. The American dollar's low value really makes it attractive for people from other countries to come now. And I realize there are many people in our country that also speak other than English. Another interesting aspect of traveling is hearing all this diversity and knowing we all marvel at the same wonders
of nature, hope and pray they discern Who created and maintains this universe.The first day at Yosemite there was no wind so the water was perfectly calm. Of course, you know how much I like to see reflections in the water so here is one more. There were many more places where this scene was repeated.
Friday we moved to Sparks, Nevada. No special reason to be in Sparks other than it fit into our plan for the coming week. We have enjoyed our campground here very much. The whole court is like a manicured resort. The laundry is spotless and the
restrooms are unbelievably clean. This area of Sparks has been developed in the last couple of years and everything is done up in great style. The casinos, I am sure, help bring in the money and the people. We were across a little lake from the Casino and they put on a big show of fireworks so we got to see them last night. A totally new shopping mall has been built recently and they spared no dollars in building it. Didn't shop in it but imagine it was a little pricey. They have a Scheels Sporting Goods store that boasts of being the biggest sports store in the country. It has an aquarium that bridges a walkway in the store. a display of many wild animals as many of the Cabala's have and then it has a ferris wheel in the center of the store. Can't imagine people spend enough on sports gear to make that pay but I am sure someone has it figured out.
Friday we moved to Sparks, Nevada. No special reason to be in Sparks other than it fit into our plan for the coming week. We have enjoyed our campground here very much. The whole court is like a manicured resort. The laundry is spotless and the
restrooms are unbelievably clean. This area of Sparks has been developed in the last couple of years and everything is done up in great style. The casinos, I am sure, help bring in the money and the people. We were across a little lake from the Casino and they put on a big show of fireworks so we got to see them last night. A totally new shopping mall has been built recently and they spared no dollars in building it. Didn't shop in it but imagine it was a little pricey. They have a Scheels Sporting Goods store that boasts of being the biggest sports store in the country. It has an aquarium that bridges a walkway in the store. a display of many wild animals as many of the Cabala's have and then it has a ferris wheel in the center of the store. Can't imagine people spend enough on sports gear to make that pay but I am sure someone has it figured out.We are doing well and have enjoyed spending time with 4 of our kids and their families. What a treat. Have been blessed with good weather and good health. Appreciate the phone calls and emails, what would we do without that communication? And, yes, the computers are busy most evenings. Have to keep up with the news from home and work on our "hobbys". Facebook keeps me up a little on what the younger set are doing, I enjoy reading their comments. Tomorrow we go to Elko, Nevada and then to Salt Lake City for a few days to catch up on some genealogy.
Love you and pray you are doing well. Until next Sunday,
Dad and Mom/Marilyn and Wilmer
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