After breakfast (pancakes Yea), we caught a shuttle back to Mirror lake trail. The day is warm but overcast. Decided to walk the 5 mile loop up past Mirroe lake to the Tulomene Meadows trail head (15.6 miles one way to the meadow). Can't help to think of bears and Cougars when you are walking by yourself on the trail. At the head of the trail we crossed the Tenya River and headed back down. A very good stroll in the woods.
Stopped again at the trees that appear to be hacked at and in some cases felled by an animal with large front teeth, possibly a beaver (see image in yesterday's thoughts). But it appears from all the information we have come across that Beavers don't live in Yosemite. Oh, well will make a good story any way.
At this point we decided we needed to visit the visitor centre, museum and art gallery (well 'she who can not be named wanted to visit the latter). Information centre had some very good dioramas and information on the formation of Yosemite- Granite, exposed by erosion and uplift. The granite looks to me as to be more a grandiorite little or no phelspars present, glaciated causing 'U' shaped valleys and hanging valleys (where the waterfalls are currently located. The granite is exfoliating like onion rings so makes this an ideal rock climbing venue.
The museum was orientated more to the original Indian inhabitants - Miwok and Piaute. When the 49ers (gold miners) arrived they eliminated 90% of the local people. Either shot them or starved them to death. A case of genocide in my opinion. Shameful action. Outside the museum was a Miwok village (they used to have ceremonial dances for the tourists in the 1920-1950 period. Interesting construction-all bark. The Indians lived on trout and Black Oak acorns-made a type of flour that they used for biscuits etc. They used 'red' hot stones placed in a water tight woven basket to cook this flour meal. The village also had a sweat box, where the males cleansed themselves before going hunting for mule deer or rabbit. The name Yosemite is a rough take on a Miwok phrase that meant "some of them are killers", interesting observation. I wonder whether they were referring to the Piaute or Europeans.
Like Yellowstone, the army protected the national park (established around 1890) until the park rangers were created. The Calvary unit here were buffalo soldiers - African Americans who had served in the Union army during the civil war.
The rest of the afternoon was spent walking through the meadows, now much smaller in size (because the early European settlers had drained the wetlands so as to graze diary cows and cattle (to serve to the early tourists). This draining allowed the pines to invade and take over the meadows. Thankfully, the national park is trying to rectify things. They have now board walks and a lot of the meadows are off limits as they are undertaking restorative work.
Visited the chapel (where you can get married), even witnessed a young couple having their wedding photo's taken on one of the boardwalks. Two weddings in two days- need to suggest this to our own children. Great setting.
Got back to our little hotel room around 4.30 pm. Rested, then checked out the pizza deck...no que so that's what we did.
A large number of school groups were in the eating area, all different ages, but well behaved. What a great place to do some teaching-geography, environmental studies etc.
Once again early to bed. Tomorrow we leave and head about 3 hours drive north of here to visit Stan and June.
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