Day 23 - Wed, June 25, 2008 - Oakdale, CA to Bishop, CA - 378.7 km/236.7 mi. Total 7505.7 km./4691.1 mi.

Highest temp noticed today 35C/95F.

Went out this morning to find that the trailer tire was flat. Fortunately it was only a leaking valve so walked down the road to get one at Kragens. Put it in and pumped up the tire and it seemed okay. Checked it again after a short ride and pressure still up so we're on our way.

Rode into Yosemite Park which is in the Sierra Nevada mountain range. The scenery was spectacular and the roads were motorcycle friendly forcing lots of use of the sides of the tire. Ruth decided, at the last minute, that we should make the approx. 64km./40mi. round trip to Yosemite Village in Yosemite Valley and it was well worth it. Changes in elevation, waterfalls and beautiful vistas around every corner. After visiting Yosemite Village and getting back to highway 120 we continued heading east. Weather was great and as we neared the eastern boundary of Yosemite Park we began to see what looked like snow patches at the higher elevations. At the exit point we even saw snow/ice patches near the side of the road and noted a temp. of 19C/66F at the eastern exit. In case you didn't know, Sierra Nevada is Spanish for Snowy Range and I believe it after still seeing snow in late June.
After exiting the park we passed Ellery Lake at an elevation of 9,538 ft. and went through the Tioga Pass. Between here and Bishop, CA, where we stayed for the night, we encountered 3 descents which lasted for 4-8 miles each and had grades of 6%, 7% and 8%. Joan's hybrid would show great mileage here. The last descent occurred approaching Bishop and brought us into very hot and dry conditions.

We ate at Whiskey Creek and had a large serving of delicious, fall off the bone, beef ribs. Large enough that Ruth will have some on Thursday. Had a sampler of some of the local beers ("Beers with Altitude").

The quality of many of our photos was affected by smoke in the area due to the many forest fires in California.

Photos: Don Pedro Lake; Where we came from; One of the tunnels leading to Yosemite Village; Waterfall near the Village; Ron and Ruth in Yosemite; Snow at Ellery Lake; The road through Tioga Pass.