We left Lunar Crater with an odd feeling. Unlike other transitions where we launched off to new horizons and sights yet unseen, this time we were headed home. Not for a couple of days yet, but definitely homeward bound.

It began to be difficult to stay “at the place, in the moment”. Thoughts of tasks and appointments to come clouded our vision occasionally. But we had three drive/stay days before turning into our driveway, we resolved to “be there”, and we were successful.

We had only one stop: Tuolomne Meadows. This is a beautiful alpine meadow along CA-120 in Tioga Pass, right in the middle of the huge Yosemite National Park. CA-120 provides a strenuous climb up the eastern side of the Sierra, and Tioga is the highest pass across at about 10,000 feet. We kept Ralph in tow, with a mental reservation that we might need to un-hook to make the grade. But Howie performed bravely, and although we were only doing about 35mph in first gear, we made it to the top with no issues, and not even high temperatures.

Many people think of Yosemite in the grand iconic visions of the famous Valley – – El Capitan, Yosemite Falls, etc. But the Park actually extends from Wauwona in the south to above Hetch-Hetchy in the north. With such a vast expanse, and much of it wilderness reachable by hiking trails only, we had no expectation to “see it all”. We just wanted one last out-and-away experience  for ourselves before settling back into the home life. Although fairly crowded, it was a pleasant phase-down. The Sierras are gorgeous like no other mountain range, with massive granite peaks and ridges that seem impossibly sculpted.

We hiked around the Lembert Dome at the east end of the Meadow, and got our exercise for the day, again up at 9,000 feet or so. This is one of the many glacier-cleaved lava domes in the Park, and even this small guy took us three miles and 1,000 feet of climb to circumnavigate.

Chilly too, 30F in the mornings and only 50’s and 60’s in the heat of the day. Any breeze seemed to be coming directly off of some snow-bank – – but of course with the Drought there isn’t much snow. But cold it was, and we spent a lot of our time bundled up, compared to other times on this trip.

Afterward, we took a short drive out to Olmstead Point, and looked down into the renowned Valley and the unmistakable profile of Half Dome.

A lone raven found a convenient snag with a great view of the Valley – – –

And called out across the chill wind to his buddies for a few minutes. Wonderful birds.

Tenaya Lake sits along the highway, and we couldn’t resist a few snapshots there on our way back to camp. Granite and water and evergreens, what a combination.

Wildflowers and 80-foot trees alike find purchase in the granite crevices.

And along the same route, some climbers entertained us high on a rock face above the highway, clinging like two-legged ants to the unforgiving granite. Yes, they’re lining up, but the ropes are not visible.

Tomorrow, we’re scooting down CA-120, through Groveland, Manteca, Tracy, all the familiar towns that lead to home. Only a bit more than 200 miles or so left to go.