Day 3 in Yosemite: Memories for a Lifetime

Hello!  Thanks for stopping by Thinking Out Loud Thursday.  This is a time when I talk about something on my mind and invite you to link up and do the same.  Today I'm wrapping up my recaps of our trip to Yosemite!  If you missed the other recaps, you can find them here ~

Memories from Sequoia National Park 

Where to Stay When Visiting Sequoia National Park

A Day Among Giants: King’s Canyon Adventure

Day 1 in Yosemite:  Awe at Every Turn

Day 2 in Yosemite:  A Breathtaking Adventure

Our final day at Yosemite started with a bit of excitement.  We were getting ready to leave our rental and noticed the water line to the washer had burst.  There was water everywhere!  Thank goodness it happened right before we left instead of right after, because the whole place would have been flooded!  We swept water out the front door until the caretaker arrived and took over.  

We entered from the north again and were met with no traffic at all.  Since we got a little bit later start because of the water, we feared we would be confronted with the long line of traffic we had read about.  Luckily, that wasn't the case!  

Our plan for the day was simple—relax and explore a few of the well-known spots we hadn’t yet seen. Our stop at Bridalveil Meadows turned out to be absolutely stunning! The water levels weren’t as high as they would be in spring, but there was still plenty flowing to make the view picture-perfect.

We even had time to be a little goofy!

Our next stop was the Yosemite Valley Chapel, a charming 145-year-old landmark that still hosts worship services, weddings, and community gatherings for Yosemite’s residents. It’s nestled among majestic cliffs and peaceful meadows, with a stunning view of Yosemite Falls in the distance.

We wandered through the Yosemite Valley Visitor Center and watched the informative film playing in the theater. Nearby, we explored the Ansel Adams Gallery and the Indian Village of Ahwahnee. It was wonderful to slow down and truly take in the beauty and history of the area.

Later in the afternoon, we set out for Glacier Point. At first, we weren’t sure if the drive would be worth it, but I’m so glad we went! The view of Half Dome from there was absolutely breathtaking!

From this incredible vantage point, you can see not only the majestic Half Dome but also Yosemite Falls, Vernal Falls, and Nevada Falls—all in one sweeping view. The scenery was absolutely mesmerizing, and everywhere we turned seemed like the perfect backdrop for a photo. We couldn’t resist stopping several times to capture the moment and soak in the awe-inspiring beauty surrounding us.

As we made our way out of the park, we were treated to the most breathtaking sunset imaginable. The sky was painted in brilliant shades of orange, pink, and gold, casting a warm glow over the mountains and trees. We couldn’t help but pull over, step out of the car, and simply stand there in awe. It was one of those moments where time seemed to slow down—peaceful, quiet, and absolutely beautiful.

The next morning, we packed up and made our way to the airport, hearts full and cameras loaded with memories. As our trip came to an end, we couldn’t help but reflect on all the laughter, adventures, and breathtaking sights we had shared. It was the kind of experience that stays with you—a time spent with great friends, surrounded by incredible beauty, and filled with moments we’ll treasure for years to come.

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Day 2 in Yosemite: A Breathtaking Adventure

Hello!  Thanks for stopping by Thinking Out Loud Thursday.  This is a time when I talk about something on my mind and invite you to link up and do the same.  Today I'm recapping our second day at Yosemite!

In case you haven’t seen the earlier parts of our trip, here are the links to get you caught up!

Memories from Sequoia National Park 

Where to Stay When Visiting Sequoia National Park

A Day Among Giants: King’s Canyon Adventure

Day 1 in Yosemite:  Awe at Every Turn

For our second day in Yosemite, we decided to enter through the north entrance. Staying about halfway between the north and south gates definitely had its perks! The drive in was absolutely breathtaking — we followed a scenic, rocky valley that looked like something straight out of a postcard.

Once inside the park, we didn't get very far at all before we pulled over to take in the beauty.  Waterfalls and babbling brooks are my jam and there was one immediately upon entering the park. 

We were in no hurry, so we decided to sit down and enjoy the views!

Our first major hike of the day was to Vernal Falls Bridge.  This mile-ish hike isn't as easy as some, but the sights along the way were stunning.

We weren’t sure if we’d get to see any water in the falls since our visit was so late in the season. You really had to look closely, but once we reached our destination, we spotted a gentle stream of water trickling down the side of the mountain!

Coming back down the mountain turned into a bit of an adventure for a few one of us who took the road less traveled!

Later in the afternoon, we swung by the Ahwahnee Hotel which is located inside the park.  The Ahwahnee Hotel is one of Yosemite’s most iconic spots — and for good reason. Nestled in the heart of the valley, it’s surrounded by towering cliffs and breathtaking views in every direction. The historic hotel feels grand yet cozy, with its stone fireplaces, rich wood beams, and timeless charm. Even if you’re not staying overnight, it’s worth stopping in to wander the lobby, grab a drink, or just soak in the beauty and history of the place.

We packed a picnic and headed to the meadow beneath El Capitan to watch the sunset. We found the perfect little spot, spread out our tablecloth, and settled in for the show. As the sun dipped lower, the light kept shifting across the face of the mountain — it was absolutely mesmerizing. I know it sounds cliché, but pictures just don’t do it justice!

It was another absolutely perfect day exploring with our friends! There’s just something about sharing experiences like this that makes them even more special. It’s true what they say — good friends really do make life brighter, better, and a whole lot more fun!

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Day 1 in Yosemite: Awe at Every Turn

Hey there!  Welcome to Thinking Out Loud Thursday.  This is a time where I talk about something I'm thinking about and invite you to link up and do the same.  Today I'm dreaming about our first day at Yosemite.

This summer, we were fortunate to travel to California with our good friends and neighbors for a week at Sequoia National Park, King's Canyon, and Yosemite.  I've covered parts of the trip already ~

Memories from Sequoia National Park 

Where to Stay When Visiting Sequoia National Park

A Day Among Giants: King’s Canyon Adventure

Today I’m excited to share all about our first day in Yosemite! After spending three amazing days exploring Sequoia and King’s Canyon, we packed up and said goodbye to the cutest little VRBO house, then made the roughly 100-mile drive to Yosemite. This park has been on Eric’s bucket list for as long as I’ve known him, and I was thrilled that we were finally getting to experience it together!

We made it to the area a bit before check-in at our next VRBO, so we took a detour to Mariposa for lunch and a little exploring. The town is absolutely adorable! Afterward, we continued on to our new home-away-from-home. It didn’t have quite the same charm as our first spot, but we were happy to have a pool and hot tub.

After getting settled, we headed to Oakhurst for an early dinner before making our way to Yosemite. Entering through the south entrance from Oakhurst was a breeze—no traffic at all! The very first stop along this route is Mariposa Grove, where we wandered among the towering sequoias and stood in awe of their incredible beauty.

From there we went through the tunnel leading to the famous tunnel view you see in so many pictures.  Eric had looked at so many videos of this view and it was even more beautiful than I had imagined it would be!

After loading up on pictures from the lookout point of tunnel view, we went to Bridal Falls to see if there was still water falling.  There was!  We were there just before sunset and it was spectacular!  Not only was there water flowing down the mountain, there were also several rainbows!

On our way out of the park, we made a quick stop to snap a photo of Eric with the mountains as his backdrop. It’s the perfect shot of a happy guy getting to check off one of his long-time bucket list dreams!

As we made our way out of the park, the sun began to set. We couldn’t resist pulling over at one of the overlooks to take it all in—and it was absolutely breathtaking!  It was the perfect ending to our first day at Yosemite.

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London - Day 7

Hello and welcome to Thinking Out Loud Thursday! This is where I share what's on my mind and invite you to join in by linking up and sharing your thoughts too. Today, I'll be wrapping up our trip to London with a recap of Day 7, our final full day of vacation.  If you're missed the other recaps, you can find them here ~

Day 1 and 2          Day 3          Day 4          Day 5          Day 6

Our son, Ian, left a day before we did, so Friday morning we went to breakfast for the last time as a party of three in London.  After breakfast, we walked him to the train station and bid him farewell.  We walked back to the apartment and got ourselves organized for our busy day ahead!  
 
We had booked a Changing of the Guard tour, and I’m so glad we did!  If I had done this on my own, I would have planted myself in front of Buckingham Palace and waited for the show.  Well, come to find out very little of the pomp and circumstance happens in front of the Palace!  On the way to our meeting point, we came across some beautiful spots to capture in photos.

We met our guide several blocks away from the Palace by the Equestrian statue of Edward VII.  

From there, the guide positioned us in the perfect spot for each part of the ceremony.  The company we used was Get Your Guide and I would definitely recommend them for the Changing of the Guard tour. 

The ceremony spans three locations:  St. James’s Palace, Buckingham Palace and Wellington Barracks.  You can see the Changing of the Guard on Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Friday.  

Our guide did an excellent job explaining every aspect of the ceremony, while also sharing plenty of fascinating stories about the Royal Family.

 

As soon as the Changing of the Guard concluded, we hopped on the tube for a visit to Harrod’s.  

This shopping center is like nothing I’ve ever seen before!  So fancy!  We spent some time meandering through all the departments, oohing and aahing our way around.  The Christmas decorations had recently been put up so we got our first taste of the holiday season.  

All their departments were fantastic, but their food area was quite impressive.  Wish our local mall had something like this!

We knew we wanted to do high tea in London.  After a lot of research, we picked The Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon at Fordham and Mason in Piccadilly.  What sealed the deal for me was the Queen herself had had tea at this location with the then Duchess of Cornwall (Camilla) and the Duchess of Cambridge (Kate)!   It was a wonderful place for afternoon tea!

For our final night in London, we had booked tickets to see Wicked at the Apollo Victoria Theatre.  I love Wicked and the performance was spectacular!  It was the perfect ending to our trip!

Saturday morning we were flying back home and leaving our London flat behind.  The memories we made will last a lifetime and we were so glad our son could join us!  Until next time London!

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London - Day 6

Today I'm recapping Day 6 of our London trip.  Only one more day after today!  If you missed the earlier days, you can find them here ~

Day 1 and 2          Day 3          Day 4          Day 5

We had a leisurely morning to start Day 6 of our London trip.  The Borough Market was our first activity of the day and we decided to walk there.  On our way, we noticed King Charles was home!  How did we know?  The British flag flies on top of Buckingham Palace when the King is away.  The Royal flag flies when he’s in residence. 

 

We decided to walk to Borough Market, hoping to see some interesting sights along the way, but looking back, taking the train might have been a better choice. After covering the three miles on foot, we arrived at one of the most impressive food markets I've ever encountered! It's easy to see why it's hailed as London’s top food market.

 

One food booth after another drew us deeper into the maze of vendors.  If you visit, go hungry!  There were so many things I wanted to try!  We settled on sausage rolls, chocolate-covered strawberries, and mushroom risotto.  

We also nibbled on cheese, bread, and tea samples.  I bought some tea to bring home from a shop that The King had visited and cheese to take back to our apartment to snack on.  If I lived in London, I would frequent this location often!

 

From the market, we went to the King’s Cross train station to get a picture of Platform 9-3/4.  They had a Platform 9-3/4 at the Harry Potter Warner Bros. Studio, but the one at the train station was a bit more fancy.  They have each house’s scarves available to wear in the picture and even a Warner Bros. employee standing just outside the camera’s view to toss the scarf in the air as you snapped the photo.  Of course, there was also a gift shop!

The British Library is very close to the King’s Cross station and we went there next.  Inside you can see the Magna Carta and a copy of the Emancipation Proclamation, along with tons of other historical items.  The library is free to get in and worth the stop.

After the library, Eric and I split off from Ian.  I really wanted to go to the Notting Hill Bookshop.  It was a short train ride away.  I totally geeked out over the bookstore made famous from the Julia Roberts / Hugh Grant movie Notting Hill.  

The store was absolutely charming! It had an amazing selection of books and delightful items. If you're feeling adventurous, they offer "blind date" books—you can pick one wrapped in paper and discover the surprise book inside when you get home.

We even saw the blue door William Thacker (Hugh Grant’s character) lived behind!

 

Notting Hill also has a small market.  We browsed around for a while then headed back to the apartment.  Another fun day in London in the books!