The Bear and the Maiden Fair

For the last few days I've said to myself that I should realize that being here is not just a dream... when in fact it is. It's a dream come true and I savor every single moment of it.

Today was an extraordinary experience and I'm still at a loss for words. The whole day was just a drive from one beautiful scenery to the next. No, that's not entirely true: The whole day was a drive through one beautiful scenery after another.
It all started with a marvelous view over the mountainuous region around Crowley Lake. There we met a sweet couple with their overly-friendly dog and talked a bit about our journey. Funny thing is: the evening before we saw their massive trailer in Bishop carrying a huge trike and wondered what kind of people would go on a vacation like that. Well, now we knew. ;-)

We continued our way to Mono Lake, where I was once again stunned by the sheer beauty of... well, everything! And it wasn't in the slightest today's highlight yet! Because right after

visiting Mono Lake we began to climb our way up to Tioga Pass. After a few miles we stopped to get something to eat for our picnic in the Yosemite N.P. and fuel our bikes. I already said that Americans are the nicest people I've ever met and this statement should hold true today as well: I came to talk to this supersweet girl who happened to park her Harley right beside our group. And guess what, she was on her way to work... as a ranger in Yosemite! She told me she's in the "Bear Team", how they observe these amazing creatures - that's one of the moments that make you wonder what you're doing with your life - and also to watch the meadows for bears as they currently wander around there a lot and we might catch a glimpse of them.
So absolutely pumped up (at least I was, the others might not be as easily excited as I am) we entered the National Park. I simply can't compare what I saw in these lands to anything I've ever seen. The landscape, the rock formations, the lakes, the rivers, the trees and animals... I just love being here so much.

After a little unplanned offroad experience we stopped again at a picnic area for a little snack. I'll just let a few pictures speak for themselves. Just know that I booped a Yosemite chipmunk, so my life is finally complete.

Having arrived at our hotel in Mariposa at about 4 pm we all decided to make use of the pool and whirlpool before eating our first "real" American dinner. Boy, am I still stuffed! The Romanian home-made booze that Vasi, one of our tour members, offered us to help digesting the massive burgers and steaks did help a bit though. ;-)

I'm so happy that we all get along so well and that all the members of the "TAD17" apparently really like me! That makes this whole trip so unbelievably perfect and I'm all the more proud to be part of this amazing group. Noroc!

P.S.: No, we didn't see a bear today. But that's ok. Just knowing that there are bears around was exciting enough for me. :-)