It was a strange feeling after dropping off my dad at the airport, suddenly being alone again in the big world. The last couple days were very nice, but also a bit tough. The rain, cold weather and even snow made me thinking a lot about my concept of traveling to the north with just a car.
I made it to Cheyenne Wyoming the same day to spend 3 nights at a private accommodation wich I found on Airbnb. I had a comfy room in a big house with a very nice and friendly family. I spent those days with rethinking my travel concept, while it was snowing outside.
I came to the recognition that a car with only a roof top tent isn't the best solution for a multiply month journey to the north, at least for me. A small truck camper or a van would have been a better option for me. I also shared my thoughts with Mike, the pre owner of my truck, and he offered me to buy the roof top tent back for a really good price. I then made my decision to sell the tent and continuing my trip to the north, using the money from the sale to spend some nights at a motel when the weather is bad.
So I drove all the way from Cheyenne back to the west coast, dropped off the tent and Mike's warehouse near Santa Cruz and continued to my friend Jack were I spend about a week at his place. I reorganized all my stuff, bought a comfortable camping mattress at Cabela's for my sleeping platform and built myself a rear shelter out of a tarp and some old tent poles. The rear shelter was perfect for cooking on the tailgate or just for having a dry place before entering the sleeping area.
I once again had an awesome time at Jack's place, but it was time to leave again. Next destination Yellowstone NP, but not without driving through Yosemite NP. I spent the night on a campground right in front of the south park entrance. I got up before sunrise the next morning and drove up to Glacier Point. Unfortunately, I din't make it to the top to watch the sun rising, so I stopped somewhere beside the road.
I then continued to the lookout point to find myself absolutely alone. There was only one younger couple and a man photographing right at the lookout point. Everybody told me in advance it will be super crowded up there. It definitely wasn't.
It's an absolutely amazing and magical place. If you haven't been there, do it! It's absolutely worth it.
I sat down and enjoyed a not so fresh Subway sandwich from yesterday.
Deers right next to the parking lot.
Another view of Half Dome from Tioga Pass Road.
The beautiful Sierra Nevada landscape.
Those little guys were all over the place.