Sequoia National Park

After breakfast at the River Lounge within Yosemite View Lodge we started out towards Three Rivers, which would be our base to Sequoia National Park. Saw a place on the map called Lemon Cove but didn't realise the name was literal till we were driving through it - orange and lemon orchards for miles on both sides of the road - speckled with a few cherry and plum ones every now and then. The weather was really bright and sunny - what a contrast from yesterday! Reached Three Rivers around 4PM - but bad news - road works inside the national park - designated passes every 2 hours - madness! But we got to try right? So off we go... More bad news as we draw up to the Ranger station - even though we might have made the last pass of the day we were told not to as road conditions up in the park were at R2 (2 wheel drives must put on snow chains, 4 wheel drives need to carry them) - though ours was a 4 wheel drive we weren't carrying a set of chains. So we were allowed permission to go only as far as Hospital Rock (before the roadworks). So, faced with these setbacks we made the most of the sun and nice weather at hospital rock.

Next to the rock itself we stumbled upon (metaphorically) a little trail down to the Kaweah river. A information plaque explained how these rocks were used by native american indians, who once lived here, to pound acorns into a meal.

Then we followed the trail down to the river - the water was ice cold.

Ankoor had a great time trying to fill in the river with pebbles

Done exploring, we climbed up the trail back to the parking place at Hospital Rock. There is supposedly a lot of bears in this area and (like Yogi bear) they are after you pickinic baskets - though unfortunately (or fortunately) we didn't meet one.

and Ankoor drove us back down to the Hotel.

Down in the foothills we rented some car chains (for tomorrow) at the gas pump, picked up some calzone and retired back to Comfort Inn. Have to make an early start tomorrow to get the 10 AM pass at the road works and then the long drive to (towards) Death Valley. Sure we wouldn't reach Death Valley tomorrow, but would be very very happy if I could get to Lone Pine - but that's best case scenario.