Descanso Gardens, located in La Canada-Flintridge off Interstate 210, west of Pasadena, is described as "an urban retreat 20 minutes from downtown Los Angeles." The gardens boast 150 acres of botanical collections, pretty walking trails, and seasonal displays.
"It is by far the grandest of all the special temples of Nature I was ever permitted to enter." - John Muir Yosemite Valley is the most visited area of the park, and for good reason. Powerful granite walls and evergreen dominate the valley landscape, with massive waterfalls cascading down imposing cliffs. Many of Yosemite's most famous landmarks are found in the Valley. Even the tunnels on Wawona Road leading in are iconic. In every direction, there is great beauty- and much exploration fun.
Less visited than the Yosemite Valley, Tuolumne Meadows is a jewel along Highway 120 on the eastern side of the park, with miles of hiking trails, domes to climb, and the pristine Tuolumne River sunning through it.
Yosemite National Park is one of the oldest national parks in the US, first protected in 1864 by President Lincoln. The park sits in the Sierra Nevada mountains in central California and extends across four counties. Most of the park is considered wilderness, but its wild beauty attracts millions of visitors a year, consistently placing it in the top ten most visited national parks.
With it's electric energy, close proximity to the scenic Lake Michigan, and plenty of green spaces, there is no shortage of amusements when staying in the Windy City. The first in a three part series on our visit to the Windy City, this post details our travel as well as our walking adventures various parks, Chicago's famed river architectural tours, and cultural highlights.
The Cranky Camper 