Yosemite is a Mecca for hikers and climbers alike. As the goal for my trip I wasn't here to mess about with the easy strolls in the valley floor - I was here for the big hikes and the big hikes alone. Anything less than "strenuous" in the trail description and I wasn't interested. My first day was a 13 mile hike up to Glacier Point for excellent views over the valley and especially of Half Dome. This gave me an opportunity to contemplate my hike of Half Dome the following day which I had waited a year and a half to come back and do.
Contemplating tomorrow's hike
From Glacier Point I descended Continue reading →
After the Redwoods my next stop was Redding, close to the Lassen Volcanic national park. I arrived late but was glad to see there was a barbecue restaurant not far away. I also went to see the Sundial Bridge, a glass bridge suspended from a single arm which was magnificent lit up at night. A nice end to a long day.
I headed to the park early, Lassen Peak is the most known hike in the park but was closed for maintenance. Therefore my goal to hike Brokeoff Mountain, which I hear is the most strenuous hike in the park but with the biggest rewards. The hike was not too tough but the views were Continue reading →
With the Greyhound costing $120 to the closest town to Yosemite served by the company I did not only know where I was going to go next but how I was going to get there. I had considered renting a car and driving directly there, perhaps saving a little time and money but it was proving to be expensive. That was until I search on Budget and was amazed to discover that I could rent a car in Portland and drop it off in San Francisco a week later for $70! I calculated that even with gas (petrol for you folks back in the UK) this would be cheaper than taking public transport to Yosemite, to the park Continue reading →
Portland is a good place to stay if you want to eat, drink and take things easy – which I did. My couch surfing host Klauss was excited to hear that was in town wanting to sample some of the offerings from local breweries. I was surprised to hear that I was the first who had made such a request – it was one of the main reasons why I wanted to come back here in the first place! There are lots of little food 'pods' which are small vans/shacks located on corners and car parks which serve up all kinds of delicious food.
I spent my second day in Portland nursing a bit of a soar head after Continue reading →
Unfortunately Vancouver's public transport had left me with a bit of a nasty cold but I wasn't going to let that spoil my fun. Armed with a pocket full of tissues me and my couch surfing host Vibhor went for indian food (my first since leaving the UK!) before heading to a late night funk bar.
I spent my second day with a Spanish couch surfer Sofia who is living in Seattle. We visited a few of the sights like the bubble gum wall and even 'rode the ducks' – sitting on board a duck themed World War II amphibious landing craft which gives you a tour of Seattle's streets and Lake Union... with Continue reading →
After a few days of relaxing back at the apartment in Comox Richard and Karina both started working again – evidence that summer is coming to an end. In an effort to prolong my own job hunting I decided to take a bit of a trip down the west coast of the mainland. My goal would be to make it to Yosemite – to hike Half Dome which was closed for the winter when I was last there.
My first stop was Vancouver. I took the Greyhound / ferry and Richard's uncle Roy was very generous in offering to put me up while I was in town. My last trip to Vancouver was during the wet and cold winter so I was Continue reading →
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