Yosemite (April 20th PM thru April 22nd)

Monday, April 20th (PM)

After leaving the brilliant, forested haven of Sequoia N.P., we drove back to Fresno to replenish supplies. John and Julie of course didn’t get me anything to eat, but they did load up on bottled water. Would they actually offer me a drink? Apparently not. And let me tell, the weather was unbearable. It had to be 100 degrees in Fresno! (Note from John: It was 95, actually. But Benny’s a chicken, so he can’t read numbers.) The sun was still out and I was getting strange looks from people at the deli counter. I think it’s time we leave this store and head towards Yosemite, OK? Right guys? Hurry … the guy at the counter has a knife! We left the store quickly and got into our rental (I heard them call it a Hyundai Sonata … Sure, they give their cars last names, but I’m only known as “Benny”! Where’s that PETA number again?) Soon we were headed a different direction (I think it was north) and was going towards a different set of mountains. Again, the scenery looked very similar as before – large valley with sweeping vistas, orange groves, and desert landscape. Then we approached the mountain towns before Yosemite. Of course, I was getting hungry, but did we stop? No. I tried pecking through the window, but it was solid glass. I’ll have to practice my pecking skills to get through that! By the time I had planned my escape route, they had packed me back in a bag and zipped it shut. Crap! Now how am I going to get out? Well, apparently it will be when we get to the first scenic overview in Yosemite. It was absolutely awesome! Stretched out before us was the Yosemite Valley, with the Sentinel Rock on the left, Half Dome In the middle, and Bridalveil Falls on the right. I wanted to fly to the falls and cool off, but John held me down while Julie took my picture. He’s quite the manhandler, that one is. Before I could show him who was boss, though, we got back in the car and headed to our hotel for the night. I’m not sure what John and Julie did, but they left me in the room and went out. I was too tired to trash the room, so I rested my eyes and waited for them to come back. I never did hear them enter. I think they went to get some food and do a little bit of sightseeing? Anyway, I fell asleep early and woke up the next day with the birds.

Tuesday, April 21st

Well, today was a glorious day. John and Julie took me out for a morning stroll in the meadows near their lodge. It was a nice open meadow with an awesome view of Yosemite Falls (Upper and Lower). We rode the shuttle around to get a feel of the park. We rode it all the way back to our lodge. Then we loaded up food and water and headed towards Hetch Hetchy Reservoir. Apparently, it’s pretty back country where no one goes. Except for us. We drove on the backroads to get there. I think I saw a California Condor, but we didn’t stop, so I’m not sure. When we got to the lake, there was a dam that we had to cross. Of course, they had lunch. Then John put me in his pocket so I could see the view and we headed off towards Wapama Falls. It was a nice day – sun was shining, a slight breeze, probably 70 degrees. John had trouble keeping up with Julie, but he somehow managed to keep within sight of her. About half way to the falls, we came across another falls. Julie played in the water and John took a picture of me lounging on a rock. It felt good to rest. Where’s that picture at, John? Oh, that’s right – you lost your camera. Too bad. (Note from John: Benny, that’s not funny. I hope you got a good price for it when you sold it!) Anyway, we trekked on and ended up at the waterfall. It was misty and cold and refreshing and awesome. I played in it for a little while, and then John and Julie figured it was time to head back. I was sad, but I understand it was just a short little jaunt. Once we made it back to the park, John and Julie took me to dinner. They had pizza, and again I had nothing. I’m beginning to think this isn’t a trip, but a fat camp in disguise! I’m not FAT! FEED ME!! But my cries went unheard. As we headed back to camp, dusk set in and the night sounds started taking over. The waterfall was a steady roar, the birds were chirping, and the car alarms were going off? Turn off your alarm, stupid! We went back to the room, Julie booked a whitewater rafting trip for her and John (I declined … I didn’t want to get my feathers wet) and then we went to bed. All in all, a very eventful day.

Wednesday, April 22nd

John and Julie went white water rafting. I did not. They came back and we went to sleep. (Note from John: Benny is upset because he didn’t get to do anything on this day. Is it my fault that he didn’t want to go rafting with us? Anyway, he’s cranky because of this. Hopefully his mood is better tomorrow, as my brother has just showed up – at midnight! – and we’re hiking a lot tomorrow!)