I packed everyone a bag and loaded up the car. I grabbed some goodies, movies for the kids, our bags and made our way toward the park. Everyone was so excited to stay the night in Yosemite. I couldn't wait to finally see it. I had heard so many wonderful things about the park from neighbors, friends and well, everyone around us...haha. They said it was a "MUST SEE". I am so grateful we took the two hour drive as soon as Pres got home from work. We ended up getting to the hotel around 7pm.
The drive up was incredible! The trees, rocks, streams and mountains that surrounded us were absolutely stunning!
When we checked in at the front desk they told us all about the resort. They mentioned they'd be finishing up a s'mores fire pit soon. They told us to come back and grab some s'more goodies once we were settled in our room. We dropped our stuff off and headed to the fire pit. The front desk girls gave us everything we needed to make delicious s'mores. The kids were in heaven. I don't think I have honestly had a s'more in years. It was a taste of my childhood. (It took me back to the many bonfires at our house when I was growing up.) It was such a beautiful night up on the mountain. A chill in the air and stars filled the night sky. We made our s'mores and then walked around the resort.
How cool is this area?! It's an outside bar. There was a company party going on that night. The pool is heated to 80 degrees all winter long. It looked so inviting even with that mountain air on our cheeks.
Then we happened upon this super cool game/kid room. It was remarkable. There was so much to see and do. The kids were so excited! Beckham boy played this ping pong game quite a bit. The boys played with the giant connect four game and Quinnie loved the blocks.
There was also this giant playground/tree house inside. It was so cool. It was big enough for adults to go through as well. Pres and I enjoyed a quick game of pool before heading back to our room.
A shot of the family by the light of the fire. We took in a few minutes around the fire before heading off to bed. Once in our room we sat on the deck for a little star gazing. It was a gorgeous night under a massive blanket of stars and the light of the moon. It could not have been more perfect!
Donuts in bed :)
We took our time getting up that next morning. We sat outside and checked out the views.
We got the kids dressed and headed out to explore the grounds. We didn't bring them warm enough jammies for the morning chill that hung in the air.
Coolest slide EVER!! We went down this thing so many times. It was the biggest slide I have ever seen. Pres and I went down several times ourselves ;) I didn't want Quinn going down by herself so we went with her. That slide is not only super awesome but it was so fast! TONS of fun was had right here!
Mom and Quinn's turn.
The playground outside was phenomenal! The kids had so much fun running around and climbing.
Go Beckham Go!
Jack and Quinnie loved the swing.
One more time on the slide before heading back to the indoor play ground.
Dad's turn with Q :)
They had so many toys for the kids to play with. They could build blocks or trains and had insects, animals, tons of things to choose from.
Beckham back at his game :)
No one else was up so we enjoyed the entire place to ourselves for a little while.
Pres and I played several games of pool while the kids played. He may have beaten me every single stinkin time, but it was so much fun. I need to work on my pool skills...clearly! There was a time I wasn't too bad at it though, I swear.
Our cute littles hanging out in a giant wooden "O".
We explored the gift shop and then headed up to get ready for the day. We were super pumped to pack up and check out Yosemite. So far we had been really impressed with the sites and the resort. I have to admit that this resort was above and beyond what we had expected. I had no clue it would be this cool. We have already talked about coming back to stay for a full weekend so we can enjoy it longer.
The drive into the park was unbelievable! I could not stop taking pictures on the drive. It was absolutely breath taking!
Once we got into the park we couldn't stop from looking up, haha. The views were incredible.
The waterfall wasn't as big as it had been in the previous months, but still fun to see.
On our way into the visitor's center.
It was quite a little hike in. We had no idea, haha. We walked for a while before finally getting to the visitor center and theatre. The walk was gorgeous so we didn't mind for one second.
Clark Family trip to Yosemite National Park! :)
"Everyone needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and cheer and give strength to the body and soul alike." - John Muir
Once we got to the visitor center there was a movie all about Yosemite starting. We jumped in right in the nick of time. It was fascinating to hear the history of the park and how it became a national park. John Muir is quite the man. President Lincoln signed the Yosemite Grant in 1864 without having even been there. He signed it off of what people had told him about the area. He thought it needed to be protected just from what he had heard. It wasn't until President Roosevelt visited in 1903 that a President had gone to Yosemite. He went on a three day guided tour by John Muir himself. President Roosevelt fell in love with Yosemite. He later said that those few days were some of the best he'd ever had. Yosemite has a pretty cool spirit that surrounds it. It's a place of tranquility and its very own kind of sanctuary from the hustle and bustle of the world.
The fall leaves were stunning. I love FALL!
Driving through tunnels of trees.
First stop was Artist point trail.
Seriously, one of the coolest places I have ever seen in real life!
So many people have photographed and painted this epic scenery. Now we have our own family picture to capture the landscape as well :)
Stunning doesn't even describe it!
Climbing the rocks.
Me and my sweet baby girl.
Rock climbers.
A selfie with the hubs :)
They did it! Made it all the way up. Now how do I get them down, haha.
You can never have too many family pictures :) I love these people more than anything or anyone!
LOVE
Make a wish!
Anytime we entered a tunnel, these three held there breathe for as long as they could. It was the cutest thing to watch. They'd make their cheeks all big, meanwhile breathing out of their noses, haha.
I LOVE TREES!
On our way to Glacier Point. The views were never disappointing.
Enjoying the drive.
Half dome :)
This view was literally breath taking. The view was incredible but the height we were at was enough to make Pres and I feel a little shaky.
That's the road and houses at the bottom. We were literally straight up. On the other side of the stone wall, that was about waist high, was a 2,000 plus foot drop off. It was insane!! We didn't stay here to long, haha. We looked and then moved a little closer to the inside of the cliff, haha.
A view looking down from the stone wall...EEEK!
A little bright up here :)
You can see the "fence" in the background. People leaning over to look and resting up against it. It literally made me so nervous when people would get close to the edges.
Climbing rocks in a safer area :)
So strong.
The view from another look out point at Glacier point.
Just stunning.
The kids were starting to feel tired so they wrapped up in the blanket, haha. This then lead to a giant game of peek-a-boo, haha. They are so funny.
On a bus in Mariposa Grove.
The last trip on our Yosemite tour ended in Mariposa Grove. An area with big sequoia's.
The many faces of Beckham James!
The kids loved that we had to ride a bus into the grove. They enjoyed looking out the windows while not being buckled, haha.
These trees were unbelievable! I could not get over there height!
Quinnie and a massive tree :)
How cool is this?!
A tree that uprooted from a storm. Must have been quite the storm!
We saw some deer hanging out right off of the trail. There was a momma and two little ones.
Quinn's thinking spot :)
"Mom, take my picture. Pleeeeease?"
I tried getting a picture of Quinn and I next to this log but it looks like a back drop haha. It was massive.
I believe this tree was called "Giant Bear".
Taking a break after our hike to the tree.
Drawing in the dirt under a giant sequoia. Not your typical day :)
Jack wanted to make sure to get a picture with this cool tree that cars could drive through.
One last rest before heading back to the car. I LOVE this picture. The kids just did this on their own. They wanted to lay on the log :)
I still cannot get over the size of some of the trees. It was fascinating to see.
After an exceptional few days we headed back home. We loved every minute of this trip to Yosemite. How grateful we are for the creations that surround us. The Lord had seriously outdone Himself when He made Yosemite. It's one of the most breath taking places you could ever spend time. It seems unreal. I feel like it could be a little taste of heaven. I have always felt that nature plays a vital role in our mental health. There's something to be said about taking some time in nature to collect your thoughts and recharge mentally, spiritually, emotionally and physically before heading back into the everyday life. It's a natural detox from any stress or ailment that seems to weigh on you. There's a peace and comfort found when in nature. Until next time Yosemite...until next time.
