May 10, 2013

Indian Flat RV Park,

El Portal, CA

We slept pretty well considering we were in a busy Walmart parking lot and less than a half mile from passing trains.

Our route took us on 140 up one hill,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 down another hill,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

up another hill and then down another hill.  I felt bad for Monte who I was sure was white-knuckling the entire drive.  The road was very narrow with big boulders on one side and cars coming at him from the opposite direction. 

We kept trying to keep in touch but constantly lost cell service. 

 

I had been concerned about one section of the route because we had to cross over a one lane bridge that had a sign stating that the bridge was restricted to trucks under 45 feet. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 We had also been warned that there could be delays going over the bridge.  But we timed it perfectly because as we approached the light to cross the bridge was green.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shortly after crossing the first bridge we had to cross a second bridge.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When we pulled into the Indian Flat RV Park, *three hours before check in time) Monte pulled over to the side and we went into the office and were assigned site 116.  I inquired if we could stay an additional night.  The manager had to move some reservations around to accommodate us. 

When we made the reservation we said we were only going to stay one night because the rate was more than we normally pay.  But after seeing that there was no place else to stay and wanting at least two days in the park, we were willing to pay the rate.  The manager did some more jostling around and let us have the site for two nights.

Monte tried getting into the site but it was too small and there were trucks blocking his access. 

 I went back into the office and asked the manager if we could have site #117 that had much better access and was a little bigger than #116.

He accommodated us again by moving reservations around.  We really appreciated his efforts.

We set up quickly, and drove the 8 miles to the entrance to Yosemite. 

 

 

 

 

 

We flashed our park pass and then drove another 15 miles to the Village Store Parking lot.

 

  After doing a quick walk around we sat in the car and ate lunch.

After changing into our hiking shoes we walked to the Village Center.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We took the trail leading to the Lower Falls.

  It started to drizzle and by the time we reached the falls it was raining hard.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you squint you might be able to make out the climber.

His name is Alex Honnold and he is considered the world's best free climber.

There was a video team making a documentary on Alex.

When we got back to the main road we caught the shuttle back to the Visitor Center and walked the rest of the way to where our car was parked.

As guests of the RV park we were entitled to use the indoor heated pool and hot tub at the lodge next door. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 We took advantage of the pool until it started filling up with splashing kids.  

The only complaint about the camp is there is no cell or WiFi signal.  We were told in the office that we might be able to pick up some TV stations but nada.  We were able to get satellite within a few minutes