As we drove to California, we passed through Yosemite, and stopped long enough to make the video below. We wanted to stop and visit longer, but pushed on to Cali to go to the beach:
If you can’t view the video, click here.
This time back through started off well enough. The night before, we’d driven until dark from the Silicon Valley, where we had just stayed at one of the most fun houses ever!
We’d found a perfect little ‘camp’ spot, where we had put up our roof top tent and slept peacefully until the sun’s rays announced a new day had begun.
Breakfast was made (oatmeal and fruit), then we brushed teeth, fixed hair and got dressed (most of us). Packing up, we were on our way.
When we saw the sign to Yosemite National Park, we stopped for a photo.
Like I said before, MOST of us had dressed and fixed our hair. One of my sweet little children is very languid in the morning, and she had failed to do this. Now that we were taking a photo, she didn’t want to be in it with the locks of Medusa. The beginning of discord started there.
After the fact, you can’t ever remember the details…but for some reason we all started getting a little ornery – complaining, whining and arguing. (well most of us, my husband is usually never ornery – usually).
There was beautiful scenery to enjoy (even though it was too sunny to take great pictures)…
We stopped to see El Capitan…look at all that traffic. The park was super busy.
A rare picture of me
Beautiful, despite the harsh light.
Hmmm…it’s funny. I remember feeling agitated about things, but as I look at these pictures, I can’t for the life of me remember what or why. I guess it wasn’t that important, was it?
I do remember some complaining while we took this picture. Cooperation levels were at a low, and the mosquitoes were eating us alive!
But we all managed to put on a smile 
Getting out on a hike helped us to feel better, even in stifling heat.
But then someone was upset that we didn’t take the trail ‘back there’. Sigh.
Aaliyah and I went off by ourselves for awhile. We practiced spelling things in the dirt. I feel better now.
It helped others feel better too. Watch the video:
If you can’t see it, click here.
After reuniting with the rest of the family, we noticed the beautiful and refreshing Merced River across the street, and decided to take a dip.
Ahh! This is nice.
Atlas’ sun protection
Didn’t last long…he didn’t like it on his head.
Loving this cool water to temper the scorching heat.
‘Those’ days aren’t so bad, and you can find a way to turn them around with a little patience and fun.
Watch the video of playing in the river:
If you can’t see it, click here.
We’ve had those days amidst our family travels! It can be hard to snap out of it. I’ve found we just have to make a major shift physically. We’re on one track and everyone is grumpy. It seems to help if we just declare it: “ok, everyone is grumpy. Let’s abandon the track that we are on, do something different, and have a great time.” You know what they say, admitting you have a problem is the first step to recovery!
Yep so true! We can’t always ‘pretend’ that every travel day will be fun and without discord
Life still happens, even on the road.