We decided that Kevin both needed and deserved a rest day
before we hiked the Cables Route to the top of Half Dome the following day. After a pancake breakfast, we drove through the park, via Tuolumne
Meadows, and out Tioga Pass to the Mobil Station. It is an enjoyable drive with great
views. We stopped at the Mobil, and Kevin
got the hot dog that he had been craving, and fries we all ate. We charged our electronics, updated the blog,
and watched squirrels and seagulls scavenge for food. An employee came over to our table with a
pizza tray with two pieces of pizza on it, and said that the family across the
yard couldn’t finish it but didn’t want it to get wasted. He asked if we would like it. OF COURSE! It was the perfect snack… and it was still
warm! We must have acquired that
climber/backpacker dirtbag look.
We stopped in Tuolumne Meadows on the way back, and took a
short hike to Soda Springs. Soda Springs
is a naturally occurring carbonated spring.
The springs were believed to have healing properties by the people who
visited them long ago. We tasted the
water, as you are told you can do at your own discretion, and it tasted….
Interesting…
After returning to the car, we made some quick stops at the
camp store for some butter and cream cheese.
Back at camp, we made mac-and-cheese for dinner, and readied our
breakfast for the morning; bagels and cream cheese. We headed to bed early, knowing that we were
waking at 3:00AM to hike the Cables Route to the summit of Half Dome.
Unfortunately, we went to bed early, but we did not get to sleep
early. Next to us, were two families
camping together who had some VERY loud voices that were talking until around
midnight.
