Our Yosemite and Mammoth Lakes trip (part 1)

Hi Everyone!

How’s the summer break treating you and your families?

We went to Yosemite and Mammoth Lakes this past week, and it was such a great trip in general!

Whenever we plan a family vacation, I sometimes entertain the idea that we will all agree on most of the things, and our kids will behave and be excited about what we are up to.

hahaha, reality reminds me that it's all nothing but a bunch of expectations. Sometimes, pretty unrealistic ones. Of course, we as parents have gotten better with expectations with years of experience, but still.

Here are some of my favorite places listed and some thoughts (considering the age of our kids 5,7 and 11)

Yosemite: 

We had only one night in the Yosemite Valley lodge. It was a last-minute booking, and I was pretty surprised in a positive way. I think the 'walkable to valley spots' location was the key for our family. The best part for the kids was the swimming pool. Well, I couldn't agree more, that's quite a location for the pool, where you can see the Yosemite Falls while swimming. 

Spots we visited this time: 

- Swimming pool on the territory of the lodge. It was not crowded for Sunday afternoon, maybe we got lucky.

- Bridalveil Falls trailhead. https://maps.app.goo.gl/fVdNCLqnn5szURhy8 Pretty easy hike with gorgeous waterfall!

- Tunnel View. https://maps.app.goo.gl/iwkbFhgSuLDHJeJa6 We got an hour before the sunset, and it was so crowded. I think I only took a couple of photos. 

- Washburn point. https://maps.app.goo.gl/RPf7ueZLQJrwQmcr6 I think this one is the top for me. It had a gorgeous sunset view and almost noone except us. 

- Glacier Point. https://maps.app.goo.gl/jaCXXYjSJwUnwnHh7 Amazing and busy at the same time! Plan for extra time to find parking. 

- Yosemite Falls. https://maps.app.goo.gl/gh7evYWugTGF7qW99 Pretty short walk, depending on how close to the waterfall you'd like to get. I had a hard time asking the kids to slow down on climbing the rocks next to the falls.

- Olmstead point. https://maps.app.goo.gl/7mahvm1PNjahjxid9 Great break on the way to or from Mammoth Lakes.

There are so many more places we didn't get a chance to see or hike this time at Yosemite. My list is wide open, and I'm excited about the next time we go! 

Things which helped us during the drive/trip:

1. Small coloring books for the girls

2. Chess app for Kabir

3. Lots of ‘I spy’

4. Snacks 

5. If you like indian food and are driving through Manteca, I'd highly recommend Indian Cafe https://maps.app.goo.gl/8z76P7DwCjzF7LEg9. Yummy food!

6. Slower pace and lower expectations on the number of places and things to be done.

What are your favorite spots in Yosemite? Let me know where we shall go next!

Next Post: Mammoth Lakes! 

I realized that tomorrow is Father’s Day! Thank you to all of the dads who come to my sessions! I hope you have fun!

And if you're already planning your family session, where you can relax and be yourself and get the photos you can feel and treasure for years, reach out! Fall is filling pretty fast!

Special code: Father for 10%off any session - valid through Monday 22nd.

P.S. All the images shared today are from my phone. I'll share the ones from the camera once I get to them!

Thank you,

Olga