We left bright and early again so that we could spend more time making our way across Yosemite. I liked Mammoth Lakes - it looked like a great ski resort and there's plenty to do in the summer too. So we headed for the Tioga Pass, a high elevation pass that crosses Yosemite. So high that we passed a few areas where there was still snow. Obviously we had to stop for a snowball fight. The kids always fall for watching the diversionary high, looping snowball whilst the follow up straight direct throw hits the target. Today was no exception for Ella. I can' t believe they haven't sussed it yet.

Jo had planned out five stops along the way but the girls were in a feisty mood. We had to re-negotiate each stop and each person had a 'spontaneous request stop' which they could use at any time. I used mine for the snow stop. The girls scuppered the idea by quietly agreeing that the hotel would be their option. Bloody teenagers!

Anyway we battled our way around the National Park. Some of the scenery is absolutely majestic. The girls took short cuts on walks where they could and feigned illness where they couldn't. However we still got in a good day of sightseeing. I spent thirty minutes by myself photographing a babbling brook which is always a highlight of any holiday.

We arrived at Tenaya Lodge quite late in the day. We decided to eat at the pizza restaurant. It wasn't in the main part of the lodge which is quite elegant. Instead management have put in what can only be described as something akin to a local church hall. We joked that the rug covered the badminton court lines and that we had to be out by 9pm because the knitting society were turning up.

It wasn't too long before someone came round with the raffle tickets. First prize was an arrangement from the 6pm Flower society, second prize was a tour of the local cemetery and third prize was the pizza remains we donated because (yet again) we ordered too much. Yes, two 16inch pizzas were not going to be enough so we ordered salad too! Unfortunately we won third prize which is now sitting in our fridge.

Top tip - when in the US, ask each person what they are going to order but only pass two of those orders onto the waiter. Jo tipped the waiter so he's off to buy a new corvette tomorrow - probably a soft top.