Day 18 (10/16). (Lin) A mostly travel day today. We got up early again to beat the crowds at Yosemite, which definitely paid off. We hiked the Lower Yosemite Falls trail, which gave nice views of the Upper and Lower Falls. The kids played on the rocks and in the water, which was freezing cold. From there we drove to the Bridalveil Falls trail, which was another easy and short one. We enjoyed watching the wind shift the waterfalls to the right and left, and then allow it to come straight down.

On the way out of Yosemite, we saw the long lines of cars waiting to park and even get into the park itself – an indication of how busy it gets on the weekend, I suppose. We were glad to be heading out!

The drive west towards San Francisco was interesting, with diverse landscapes. The more mountainous hills gave way to rolling hills of dry yellow grasses, almost like the African safari. And then we hit the central valley, with all of its artificially watered massive fields of every kind of fruit trees and vegetables imaginable, as well as almond trees and cornfields. We stopped at two different farm stands for cheap and immediately fresh fruit – including cute little avocados, cherries, apricots, figs, and strawberries.

Along the way, we kept passing wineries, so I finally picked one out ahead of us on Google maps, Creekview Vineyards, and it turned out to be serendipitously wonderful. What was supposed to be a short 15-minute tasting turned into almost an hour stop, as the owner gave our kids a bag and shears and told them to go pick as much fruit in the large fruit tree and bush section as they wanted. Meanwhile, I sat there tasting wine after wine and eating the delectable cheeses, crackers, and specialty meats that the wine club members shared. Mmm. After a while, the kids came back with a bag full of plums, apples, peaches, etc., and we had to hit the road. Highly recommend Creekview if you are in the area!

We arrived at our friends’ house—the Watermulders—in Los Gatos around 5 and headed to their friend’s house for a swim and dinner, which the kids were happy for after a half day of driving. So fun to hang and relax with old friends. Tomorrow we can truly sleep in for the first time in a while.

(Pics are best viewed by clicking on the first one and scrolling through the slideshow.)

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