Yosemite National Park Day 3

 Our last "day" in the park was really just the morning. We were still pretty darn tired and very sore after our 6 mile hike the day before, so we wanted to take it easy that morning and then drive home. After getting all packed up and checking out of the hotel, we drove back into the valley to hike to Mirror Lake. There were two options to get to the lake: 1) to take part of the Valley Loop trail that can take you all the way around (which we didn't want to do) or 2) walk the paved service road directly to the lake. Nick really wanted to take the trail, I wanted to take the paved service road. Nick felt confident that there was a way to cut across the lake and make it to the other side to connect with the paved service road. So we set off.

The trail was very nice--a combination of woodsy feel meets the grandeur of the Yosemite valley. After we were about 3/4 of the way down the trail, we realized that there was not going to be a way to get across the lake. Other people were realizing the same thing that we were, and we saw a few brave souls contemplate rock hopping or crawling across a log, only to be deterred by an imminent plunge into the freezing cold water. 

We made it a beautiful view of the lake, reflecting the splendor of Half Dome and El Capitan. We set up our tripod to take pictures (we are sure loving our tripod!) 

Nick felt bad about being wrong that there wasn't a way across, and he valiantly looked for one. After realizing rock hopping and log crawling weren't going to be options, he decided that we could take our shoes off and walk across. He thought that even though the water was freezing, we would feel the pins and needles, make it across and be fine. Nick gallantly volunteered to cross first, and made it about a quarter of the way before running back. He said that he couldn't even feel the pins and needles, his feet were just totally numb. We were laughing hysterically about it, and I was grateful that I hadn't had to join him in finding out this information :D

We just took the regular old trail back and it was time to head home. Thank you Yosemite National Park for all of your natural splendor, grandeur, and awe-inspiring views. We had the best time!