Back to the ranch

We drove back from Yosemite as snow gave way to the central agricultural valley of California. Up on the top of the granite mountains it was close to zero, with snowfall down to 5,500 ft. An hour later we were amongst fruit trees, the even landscape broken only by the occasional outlet mall.

We stopped for lunch at a cheese makers, which made me feel a little homesick for far away Somerset. Only a little, mind you, as we were soon outside enjoying a picnic in the hot November sun.



Finally, a bear!



The Half Dome shrouded in fog and snow.



Looking back down from the Valley Portal vista point.



Wildlife!



Rachel rejoices in the snow (and still refuses to remove her dark glasses).



Winter wonderland.



Could we resist?



Hannah checks out the gouda stuff.



The cheese sleeps.



Picnic outside.



Hannah makes some new friends.



As does Rachel.



The farm llama: snooty.



The gourds were smiling upon us today.