Category Archives: diary

I head for Tulare today. What for, it’s in the middle of nowhere? Hue, who I met at the Yosemite NP, has offered to take me to Kings Canyon NP where the giant sequoia’s hang out. These trees are the biggest trees in the world and some have been dated over 2,000 years old. IContinue reading “Merced to Tulare (Friday 19 August)”

I catch the bus back to Merced and stay the night with Larry and Janice again. Larry is retired. He used to be in the printing business for many years until the owner took off with the funds and that was the end of his job. He became a handyman from then. Janice has workedContinue reading “Yosemite to Merced (Thursday 18 August)”

Feeling a bit sore from my walk to the top of Yosemite Falls so I plan an easier day today. The falls are a consequence of Yosemite Creek dropping off the edge of a 800 meter sheer granite cliff. Yosemite Creek, as explained previously, only works half of the year and is fueled purely fromContinue reading “Yosemite NP (Wednesday 17 August)”

There are many different trails here of all levels of intensity. Today I walk to the top of the Yosemite Falls. These falls are a striking feature here and are very visible from the camp grounds. I think they sport some record of being the highest in the USA (yes, that gas just been confirmed).Continue reading “Yosemite NP (Tuesday 16 August)”

Merced is a service centre for the surrounding rich agricultural area. They seem to be able to grow anything here from stone fruits to chickens. Dairy is their biggest industry here and one of the local dairy’s boasts to being one of the biggest in the country. They milk 14,000 cows per milking session! MeatContinue reading “Merced (Sunday 14 August)”

I’m sitting at the bus station waiting for my bus and a Rick Perry (current Governor of Texas) has just announced that he is running for President. Vote for him and he will ensure America saves the world. Unbelievable! The world would be a better place if they didn’t try and save it! America isContinue reading “San Francisco to Merced (Saturday 12 August)”

It has been explained to me that the weather is so cold here at the height of it’s summer because of what is happening in the deserts to the east. They are at their hottest and the resulting lifting of hot air sucks air off the cold oceans via a gap in the coastal landscapeContinue reading “San Francisco (Friday 12 August)”

I’m staying at the City Garden Hotel near the airport. Unless you booked 12 months ago it is very difficult to get into a hostel at this time of the year. August is peak tourism season as the school summer holidays come to a close. It is a $2 bus ride into town and $4Continue reading “San Francisco (Thursday)”

San Francisco is seriously a tourist town. I headed down to Fishermans Wharf because that is where it is all at. From here it is a big walk to the famous Goldengate Bridge, and short walk to the famous cable cars. There is food and drinking and shopping and people everywhere! It’s clostrophobic! There isn’tContinue reading “San Francisco (Wednesday)”