Yosemite has inspired generations of people for thousands of years.  One such person was President Lincoln, who on June 30, 1864, in the middle of the Civil War, enacted the Yosemite Grant Act. This monumental act established Yosemite Valley and Mariposa Grove as the first protected wild land for all time. This grant marked the first California State Park.  What an awesome event to commemorate by our visit today!

Even on a hazy day, one is moved by the grandeur of this park.
 Being as it is still Spring, the falls were rushing forth.



A stroll to the Lower Yosemite Falls provided an ideal resting spot.


 Flora was abundant and vibrant.



I always eat exceptionally well when I am with these women. We each had our own jar full of layers of ingredients for pasta salad. Shake and voilà, lunch was served (and delicious).
Note the temperature. Pretty toasty for mid-April.
Evidenced, nearly everywhere we looked, was last year's Rim Fire. It was the third largest wildfire in California's history, having burned 257,314 acres (402.053 sq mi) in and around Yosemite. Yet, in among the scorched trees, green grasses burst forth, and much of the Valley's trees were unaffected.