Slow Morning in Mariposa
We left after a quick post-work rendezvous to load up the truck. Recently my truck was broken into, so please excuse the “Jerry-rigged” Plexiglass solution. With daylight saving time in full swing, darkness had already settled in — that deep, moody kind that makes a spontaneous adventure feel like a proper escape. Our only goal for the night was simple: reach Wildhaven Yosemite Glamping. On the way, we grabbed a fast dinner at In-N-Out, inhaled it like two people who had clearly skipped lunch, and hit the road again.
The drive felt longer than it should have. Trains rolled past in the dark like glowing, industrial ghosts. Fog clung to the road in thick sheets, bouncing our headlights back at us. It was one of those nights where the world feels small and quiet — just us, the person next to you, and the little bubble of light our truck made.
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We finally pulled into the campground around midnight. Everything was still. The only sound: the faint, sleepy snoring of happy campers somewhere nearby. Stepping into our canvas glamping hut, we exhaled… and then immediately inhaled again. It was freezing. After a frantic search for the space heater and a stack of blanket warmers, we sealed the canvas walls, and somehow the hut warmed up surprisingly fast.
As we drifted off, two owls somewhere in the trees hooted back and forth — like old friends catching up on their own late-night gossip.
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Slow Morning in Mariposa
After a long week of work and a long night of driving, we finally rolled out of bed at a very respectable 10 a.m. Then we stayed there another hour… just to be sure. Eventually, we got moving and headed into Mariposa, just minutes away.
First stop: Lemon Drop. I ordered a classic lemonade — ice-cold, perfectly refreshing. Sof went for mango lemonade and seemed very pleased with herself.
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We shared some elote, but the scent of smoked meat drifting down the street quickly hijacked our bodies. Within minutes, we found ourselves at Smokin’ Oak BBQ, devouring ribs that fell apart on their own, smoked chicken legs, jojos, and… yes, more street corn. Zero regrets.
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With stomachs happily full, we pointed the truck toward Yosemite.
Driving Into Yosemite
The roads into the park always feel like a slow reveal. Pines thicken, cliffs rise, the air gets crisper.
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We stopped at Rush Creek Lodge to stretch, check the truck… and, of course, discovered a flat tire.
A little teamwork, a lot of muttering, and a few laughs later, we were rolling again, bound for our campsite.
Camp Setup, Snacks, and Quiet Moments
We set up camp in that late-afternoon golden light where everything seems warmer than it actually is. Snacks came out immediately, followed by card games.
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As the sun dipped, temperatures dropped fast — but the chill made everything quieter, cozier, and undeniably magical.
Breaking Camp & One More Pass Through Yosemite
Morning arrived with cold hands and warm breath clouds. We packed up slowly, savoring the peacefulness before heading back through Yosemite.
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The park looked completely transformed — snow drifting down, fog threading between trees, waterfalls reduced to white ribbons against the granite.
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Somewhere near a meadow, we spotted sheep calmly doing whatever sheep do, completely unbothered by the weather or our excitement.
Home at Last
By the time we rolled home, we were exhausted in the best way possible — the kind of tired that comes only from fresh air, impulse adventures, and the perfect mix of chaos and calm.
This trip wasn’t long, complicated, or meticulously planned… but sometimes, those are the ones that stick with you the most.