Fully bionic now, but it took a long time.
For those who've had knee replacements....don't give up! Keep your dream alive about hiking again.
Both knees were replaced four years ago, and the pain after just walking didn't go away until about four months ago. One day the pain just stopped. Everyone is different. In the meantime, during those four years I have been on a constant quest for and accumulation of hiking and camping gear for both of us which didn't come cheap. Talk about hope!
I still didn't think I could do it. Our first morning we were up at 4:30AM and drove into the Park to catch sunrise at the Tunnel View. We then drove into the Valley to catch the rest of the early morning. These scenes are very typical of what we saw (except for the wedding couple!). By noon we were whooped and left the valley floor.
http://youtu.be/zWI7iz7ucpQ
That evening we had dinner at the Narrow Gauge restaurant in Fish Camp. Of all places, I had the best salmon steak ever here. It is highly recommended by everyone but a bit pricey. You must make reservations.
Another funny story: I called to reserve for dinner and the young man told me as long as we showed up by a certain time we could get seated no problem. We showed up and the hostess told us we needed a reservation. I explained the conversation I had over the phone. "Was that a young sounding guy that answered the phone?" she asked. I said yes. She smiled and said, "That guy is always pulling the craziest jokes around here! Follow me." Mountain people! Our server, Kailey, was the most wonderful young person we could imagine. She was very engaging and had some great tips for us.
http://youtu.be/su9jNVBR-kw
The next day we hiked the Mariposa Grove, another half day, and left the Park. It's just inside the entrance so no need to drive into the Valley. After, we drove down to Bass Lake and had lunch at The Forks. Great food!
http://youtu.be/eYFfU_xzd0U
The day after, we hiked Vernal Falls and treated ourselves to The Queen's Table. I would ask for that table by the way.
Hiking with new knees was easier for me than my wife with her non-bionic knees. I found if I leaned slightly forward and just lifted my knees the only work was to put pressure on them as I planted my feet. Titanium doesn't get sore.
It was three decades since we've been to Yosemite and we're not sure if we will be back, so yes, do it!
Small tip if you stay overnight outside the Park like we did. Get to the entrance gate early and you can enter free. There is a rush to get in by the time it opens at 8. We have a lifetime Parks pass but the fee is $35/day without it. I would shoot for next year and perhaps make an early reservation at the Lodge on the Valley floor. It's an hour of winding road in and out of the Park. Glacier Point road is closed for construction this year and that's a major attraction. Due to that they are limiting entrance into the Park and you have to get online and order a special entrance ticket this year.
We stood in Fish Camp just outside the Park at the Big Creek Inn. Our host Pamela was just great. Live meadow Cam and view from our room:
http://www.yosemiteinn.com/meadowcam/mdw/MDW_HD00001.jpg
Feeding the Steller's Jays peanuts from our balcony that our host provided was a real kick. Not our balcony, but it was a kick watching them rattle a peanut to check it's contents, then putting it down and grabbing another.
http://youtu.be/lqv76zEXt5k
I may do it again....thinking..... |
