Yosemite National Park

San Francisco- Gold County(Mariposa) - Yosemite National Park - Fresno - Las Vegas - Grand Canyon - Las Vegas - Anaheim


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12-6-2010 San Francisco- Gold County(Mariposa) - Yosemite National Park - Fresno

Gold Country is a region of California that includes foothills of the western Sierra Nevada mountains and many historic towns that date to the 1849 California Gold Rush. Today highway 49 winds its way through small towns that protect the legacy of California's early settlers. The California Gold Rush began in 1848 at Sutter's Mill (near Coloma) where the first gold nugget was discovered, touching off a massive influx of people seeking their fortune. This was arguably the largest migration of the human race in such a short time. While most of these prospectors failed in their efforts to gain riches (the ones who made the money were the shopkeepers), their legacy remains in the many towns that now cluster amongst the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains. This is the place where most of the oversea Chinese from Taisan county, China come to seek their fortune here as gold mine worker. San Francisco is known as "Old Golden Hill" to Chinese.

Mariposa, Mariposa county

We stopped at Mariposa, a small mining town at Mariposa county in the Sierra Nevada region, mountain area of California near Yosemite. Mariposa is the Spanish word for "butterfly". Mariposa County, Home of Yosemite, is known for its amazing sceneries, outdoor attractions, and historic towns. Mariposa town, is the county seat of Mariposa County. The population was 1,373 at the 2000 census. The former mining town is having a museum

The Gold Rush in California resulted in the greatest migration for the search of riches that has ever occurred in the history of the world. Within the short five years after the discovery, more than 300,000 men, and at first it was mostly men, crowded into the wilderness of the Sierra Nevada, searching for the pot at the end of the rainbow. Most were not prepared for privations that they were to experience. Spending a winter in a leaky tent or shack, waiting for spring, suffering cholera, typhus, pneumonia and other deadly diseases took a heavy toll. It is said that one in six who ventured from their home and hearth did not return. The victim of death, either by violence or disease. It was truly an international event. Coming from China, Europe, Chile, Mexico, Central America, Australia, England, Ireland, and the United States of America, they gathered as one polyglot society, quickly establishing a "pecking order" or discrimination. It was a lawless place and time, where English Law was established and distorted. Justice was swift and permanent. No jails were evidence at first, so the most expedient method of punishment was the noose

On March 24, 1851 the company, under the command of Savage, entered Yosemite Valley for the first time in pursuit of Chief Tenaya and his band. While they may not have been the first white men to see Yosemite Valley, they were the first to penetrate the beautiful presence and explore its extent. As a result of this event, Yosemite Valley became known to the outside world

It may be said that the environmentalist movement had its start as a result of the presence of Yosemite. John Muir came first to Yosemite Valley in 1869 and eventually lead the fight to have Yosemite become a National Park. The Gold Rush was directly responsible for the discovery of Yosemite, at least at that time, but more importantly, the early development of California was the result of this inrush of an international habitation.

http://www.visitmariposa.net/history2.html

Yosemite National Park



Yosemite National Park is a United States National Park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in the Sierra Nevada mountains in east-central California. Yosemite is internationally recognized for its spectacular granite cliffs, waterfalls, clear streams, giant sequoia groves, and biological diversity. The 750,000-acre, 1,200 square-mile park contains thousands of lakes and ponds, 1600 miles of streams, 800 miles of hiking trails, and 350 miles of roads. It is currently the third most visited national park in the United States, with an annual visitation of nearly 3.9 million.

Tours from San Francisco make for a wonderful day trip, although you will spend around 10 hours for traveling, and spent less than 4 hours in the park. The long traveling time is worth the effort, when you see the magnificent view of the nature in the park.

The park is extremely large with more than can be seen in just a one or two day visit. The peak seasons for Yosemite are generally Spring, when the waterfalls in the Valley are strongest, and Summer, when the Tioga Pass and Glacier Point roads are open, giving visitors access to the higher meadows and to views of the Valley from above.

Yosemite Valley
Yosemite Valley is world famous for its impressive waterfalls, meadows, cliffs, and unusual rock formations. Yosemite Valley is accessible by car all year, but during the summer months traffic can feel like a city rush hour rather than a national park, making shuttle bus usage highly recommended.

Perhaps the most famous sight in the valley is the granite monolith of Half Dome, a mountain whose sheer face and rounded top looks like a giant stone dome that has been split in half. The imposing vertical face of El Capitan is legendary among climbers, and numerous lesser-known features line the valley.

Equally famous for its waterfalls, Yosemite Falls is one of the highest waterfalls in the world at 2425 feet (782 m), and is most impressive during the spring months. Bridalveil Fall is another easily accessible waterfall, while Nevada Fall and Vernal Fall can be reached by those willing to do some hiking.

Another popular viewpoint is the Tunnel View. The spot gives visitors a view of the Yosemite Valley with El Capitan on the left, Bridalveil Fall on the right and Half Dome in the center. The view point is on the 41 at the western end of the Wawona tunnel. There is a small parking lot near the lookout.

Glacier Point and Badger Pass
Glacier Point, an overlook with a commanding view of Yosemite Valley, Half Dome, and much of the Sierra Nevada mountain range, is located 30 miles (one hour) from Yosemite Valley. The road ends at Glacier Point and a quarter mile long paved walkway leads to one of the most spectacular viewpoints in the park. The road is closed from sometime in November through early May or late June. From mid-December through early April the road is plowed only as far as the Badger Pass ski area and Glacier Point can be reached via skis or snowshoes only. Both downhill and cross-country skiing are available at Badger Pass from mid-December through early April.

Washburn Point, another overlook on the same road, appears about half a mile before Glacier Point. This overlook gives a view of the southern side of the Yosemite Valley.

Fresno, Fresno County

Fresno is a city in the San Joaquin Valley of California. It is the county seat of Fresno County. As of 2010, the population was estimated at 505,479, making it the fifth largest city in California, the largest inland city in California, and the 35th largest in the nation. Fresno is located in the center of the wide San Joaquin Valley of Central California, approximately 200 miles (322 km) north of Los Angeles and 170 miles (274 km) south of the state capital, Sacramento. The city is part of the Fresno-Clovis metropolitan area, which, with a population of 1,002,046, is the second largest metropolitan area in the Central Valley after Sacramento. The name Fresno is the Spanish language word for the ash tree, and an ash leaf is featured on the city's flag. Fresno is considered as gateway to Fresno. The drive to Fresno takes about 3 hours from San Francisco, 3.5 hours from Los Angeles. Greyhound has a terminal in downtown Fresno. Exercise caution in this area at night. There is a modest bus system , Fresno Area Express (FAX)in the city, but a car would be advised.

Tonight we are spending a night at Fresno. The hotel is Holiday Inn, 1055, Van Ness Avenue, Fresno. The hotel is in downtown, beside Club 1 Casino.

13/6/2010(Sunday) Fresno - Las Vegas

Tommorrow we are going to Las Vegas, the Sin City or World City of Adult Entertainment. Butter dun tell you what they have in Las Vegas. Up to your imagination..... money can do wonder in Las Vegas.....