Majestic Yosemite

Heading east from Napa Valley we took the back roads through old gold towns as we made our way towards Yosemite National Park.  At Angels Camp on Hwy 49 we hunted in the antique shops, passed Mark Twain's cabin and read about the history of California's gold rush. 
The road gradually climbed as we drove on towards Yosemite (Yo-Sem-It-Tee), keeping an eye out for gas which we had read was much cheaper to buy on the western side @ $3.59 per gallon.
After a 25 mile lead in, we paid our fee and entered the park.  The scenery was outstanding, something we have never seen before with soaring granite mountains, alpine meadows full of wildflowers and deer, huge waterfalls and glacial valleys.  Many different types of fir trees lined the roads and squirrels and chipmunks skittered here and there.  At the campgrounds we were surprised to find big steel food lockers at every site where you must keep all food to prevent Yogi from getting your picnic basket.  We were even told not to leave any food in our car as the bears have learnt to recognise chilly bins and will tear the doors off your vehicle to get to them.
After a full day sightseeing we drove across the Tioga Pass, California's highest driveable mountain pass at nearly 10,000ft and out onto the eastern side of the Sierra Nevada mountain range.
A wildfire was burning southwest of the park so the skies were smoky today.  The photos just don't do the place justice, it truly was majestic scenery.  You can view better shots on this website.