Day 13: Crystal Caves, Tunnel Log and The Sherman Tree

Day 13: We woke very dirty but ready for our last day. A early start to get to our 10:30 Crystal Cave tour with 1/2 mile down hill hike (it was harder coming up). Then we drove to the Giant Forest vistor center to see the exhibits and haver lunch under the sententienal sequoia tree. Then we droev through the tunnel log and to the General Sherman (the world's largest living thing). Then half the group went on the John Muir hike while others enjoyed the visitor's center at Lodgepole

Day 12: Sequoia Hike, Volleyball and S'mores

Day 12: Yes we survived our encounter with a 300lb black bear (he just wanted our food). We are beinga lot more careful about havinga clean camp. Today we hiked all the way to little baldy (6.5 miles). After we played a little volleyball and made s'mores into the night.

Day 11 - Harry Potter and Sequoia Nat'l Park

Day 11: (pictures to follow) After we packed up we drove a short way to Fresno and stopped at a Wendy's for lunch. The campers where very excited because we had talked about a special surprise throughout the tripand it was now time for the reveal. We had tickets to a early preview of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix! We watched the movie (It was great!). Then we drove up to Dorst Creek in Sequoia National park. At about 11pm we had an uninvited guest: a large black bear!

Day 10: Glacier Point and Sententinal Dome walk

Day 10: After we packed up we drove to Glacier Point to see some of the most incredible views of the Yosemite Valley. After a brief visit we walked to the top of the Sententinal Dome where you can see a 360 degree view of Yosemite. After we stoped for a picnic and a splash in the river we said goodbye to Yosemite to drive to our Hauted Ranch - The Sky Ranch Inn.

Day 9: All Day Yosemite

Day 9: We woke to a breakfast of pancakes and bacon and headed in to Yosemite. We spent the morning biking through the valley and teh afternoon spalshing in the river (Sorry no pics of river the camera broke). Before we left the valley we went to check out Yosemite's premier 1st class hotel The Awananee ($400 a night).

Day 8: House Boat and Yosemite

Day 8: We woke on the houseboat and met Incredible Adventures at the laundry and drove into Yosemite. In the evening we went gold panning in the Merced river.

Day 7: Lake Melones House Boat

Day 7: We had a very quiet day on the House Boat just playing and relaxing. We've had a busy week so we need the rest. It is however Joes 16th birthday blast! There was alot of lying in teh sun, walking on the ridges, sneak water gun attackes, pushing in the lake and of course a HUGH chocolate cake for Joe!