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Yosemite
Yosemite is one of America's best known national parks. Unfortunately, being so well-known causes hoards of tourists to descend on the impressive but rather small Yosemite Valley. Our trip to Yosemite was during the first week of May. We hoped that by going in May we would beat the crowds. Unfortunately, a large number of other people shared the same hope, that was destined to be unfulfilled. While the crowds are surely worse in the summer, there were already so many people in the Park that the valley lacked any sense of tranquility. The National Park Service's controversial plan to eliminate cars from Yosemite Valley would help restore a sense of peace, but that plan has yet to be implemented.
Dogwoods in Bloom
The great delight of visiting in early May is that the Dogwood trees on the valley floor are in full bloom.