Thanks, elnap29, we have heard about Zion National Park and intend to go there too. Right now we are in Santa Barbara on our first leg of the trip - what a charming place and I even saw a sea lion on the beach! Wow!

Thanks to Fodorites too because today we called Yosemite Park and got a booking at Ahwanhee which was a cancellation. Would not have thought of trying for a cancellation - so thank you all again

Keep us posted! Sounds like you are off to a great start.

An alternative to driving up to Tahoe or having to go through Barstow is to take Hwy 178 from Bakersfield through the Kern River Canyon and then over Walker Pass through Ridgecrest to Death Valley National Park and then on into Las Vegas. This is the winter route we take from the SF Bay Area.

The drive along the Kern River is very pretty in Spring and the desert around Walker Pass abounds in Joshua Trees. And, of course, Death Valley itself is a destination worthy of a visit of several days. If you take this route, just before you enter Death Valley NP is an old ghost town called Ballarat. It might be an interesting stop since you're from Australia.

By the way, if you are Australian AAA members, you have reciprocal arrangements with the US AAA. Stop in at any of their offices and you can get maps and guide books for all of your destinations.

That's a great place to stay & well worth the price to be so conveniently located! It's enjoyable to have meals in Yosemite so you can drink in the ambience! It's such a great place--we all love it there!
Glad you're enjoying your trip.
We also have had our trip to Europe scuttled by the volcano & have booked a train ride from LA to Seattle & then are doing a car trip back down, stopping at national parks.

Oh - The Ahwahnee -- you'll think you've died and gone to heaven! I ate dinner there last month (but was staying much farther down market at the Lodge :).

janisj, we meet again. honestly, we stayed at the ahhhhwahnee for a week in march this year dined every wonderful night in the dining room there but next time will stay at the lodge as the ahwahnee rooms were just ok and we even had a lovely balcony but small room. i heard the lodge was recently renovated. yosemite was perfect in march, snow on the ground but soo few tourists, it made the park even more magical.

goldie: How about a trip report?

I've stayed at the Ahwahnee -- this time I stayed at the Lodge (my 3rd time at the Lodge) because I got a great package deal. Yes, the rooms have been updated and are nicer than they were for sure. Also - the rooms are fairly large -- But the Ahwahnee is definitely superior.

janisj, geez, ive never done a trip report before and don't read them (too long) not that my postings aren't long...can you tell i just retired?