My husband and I love taking trips and capturing our experiences on photographs. As I am currently not employed, we have to be mindful of the cost. However, just because budgets are tight doesn’t mean families like ours can’t enjoy a mini-vacation. The secret to an affordable vacation is to focus on fun activities, away from the everyday environment, chores and obligations. The location doesn’t have to be exotic or even far away to make lasting memories – our latest location happened to be the Yosemite National Park in Southern California.
“I have a few days off next week, how about we take a little trip to the waterfalls?” James asked me last week. Of course I was up to it. A little online research provided all the information we needed about our destination, such as the weather, accommodation in the area and activities we would enjoy. The plan was to leave on Tuesday but finding out it was supposed to start snowing in the middle of the week, we decided to leave a few days earlier. It’s important to check the weather conditions in the area of your destination before leaving; especially in the mountains as the weather can change quite suddenly and dramatically.
On Saturday morning, we packed some clothes and toiletries for two days and two nights and by early afternoon, we were on the road. The drive to Yosemite from San Diego takes about seven hours, so prepare, especially when you are driving with children, for some time in the car. After a couple of stops to refill the gas tank and stretch our legs, we arrived at a small village near the park. It was already dark, so I couldn’t see much of our surroundings, but as soon as I got out of the car, I noticed how the air smelled differently and to sense the difference in the environment was exciting. We bought some groceries and checked into the hotel.
Our accommodation that was only a couple of miles outside the park cost a third of the price we would pay if we decided to book a room within the park. On average, a room with two queen size beds costs around $70 outside the park, while within the park area, the same size room starts at $170. Oh well, location, location, location. If you don’t mind an hour of additional driving to and from the park, it’s definitely worth it; considering the amount of $$$ you can save. Make sure you call ahead for reservation to avoid potential stress of looking for a room upon arrival. Get a room with a refrigerator—by preparing some meals yourself, restaurant tabs won’t be so high. And hotels with free breakfast buffets offer no-cost access to the most important meal of the day.
If you are traveling with kids, be sure to look for lodging where kids stay free. Many tour companies offer per-person discounts if you share your room with kids. Some hotels charge a nominal fee for a folding cot, but you can buy lightweight, highly packable sleeping bags for a fraction of the cost of a second room and put kids on the floor. To cut down on food costs, seek restaurants with kid’s menus. Some restaurants, especially those in family-friendly resorts, let young children eat for free. Families are an important demographic in the tourism industry, and more organizations realize that being family-friendly pays.
We got up early the next day, and soon we were at the park gate – the ticket per car is $20 and is valid for seven days. Driving on the serpentine roads on the way to the park provided us with some breathtaking views and don’t worry, there are plenty of opportunities to pull over to the side of the road and get out of the car to indulge in the scenery as well as to take photos.
A few minutes later, as soon as you get out of the tunnel, you are rewarded with an amazing view of the first waterfall. As we pulled over and walked to the edge of a fenced cliff among the other tourists, I was completely amazed by the panorama stretching far into the distance right in front of me. In the middle of the vast amount of open space, the sight of the waterfall among the enormous green and stone mountains towering above the grassy valleys left me feeling humble.
This was exactly how I felt throughout the day, as we drove and walked around the park, surrounded by all the beautiful sceneries of nature. Even as we had lunch in one of the picnic areas, we couldn’t stop looking around admiring our surroundings.
If you are lucky, you might spot one of the many wild animals living in the park such as deer or a mountain lion. Don’t worry, mountain lions are generally very calm, quiet and elusive and will avoid confrontation. They are an important and natural part of the park’s ecosystem. However, to keep your family and yourself protected, avoid hiking alone, watch your children closely and do not approach a lion if you see one. Also remember that Yosemite bears are active all year. To minimize chances of an encounter and to keep the bears wild and alive, observe the restrictions when it comes to storing food in the park. Do not leave food unattended in picnic areas and along trails. If you are staying in the campsite or in a tent overnight, do not store food in your car after dark, place it in the food locker.
Besides hiking or walking around, there are various other activities a family can enjoy, including many types of kids attractions. Bicycle rentals are available at many locations throughout the park during the warmer months. With over 12 miles of paved bike trails, you will not only enjoy the exercise but get to see some of the most picturesque spots around. As we visited the park in March, the bike stands were not yet open, but that only gives us a reason to visit again soon, during one of the warmer months.
After two days of spending unforgettable time together in the middle of nature, we came back to our apartment and our cat happy and refreshed, with lots of lovely memories and pictures in our camera.
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