Visiting Yosemite

Mike and I spent the last 4 days visiting Yosemite with my Dad and his friend Karen. It was my first visit to the park, and I will try and share my impressions.

Honestly, I was not prepared for the tourist destination that is Yosemite. Having travelled mostly in the east, I expected to find people like me in the national park: people who like being outside, who like to walk and hike, who know better than to feed squirrels. I had no idea. I wasn't ready for all the RVs, the swimming pool, the golf course, taco stand, women in heels and manicures, and the obese squirrels that positively waddled.

I think it was in part because of this, that it felt like such a Disneyland, I had a hard time connecting with the place. I know it is supposed to be a marvel of nature, but as I gazed at the hulking mass of half dome, gained sweeping views of the valley and stared upward at sheer cliffs, I felt less than moved. It didn't feel real, I couldn't appreciate it. At first I wondered why this park was even exciting at all.

Then, on our third day, we hiked up to Vernal and then Nevada Falls. For the third day we were walking around in extreme heat and sun: weather prediction was 97 degrees for the valley floor, and we didn't feel much cooler as we gained elevation. But as we approached the top of Nevada falls, dark clouds moved in and we heard thunder. A ranger hiked past us, saying he was on his way to half dome to get people off of there, but that we should be OK continuing to the top of the falls. At the top of the falls, it started to rain. We headed for tree cover on the ridge just past the falls, and very quickly the wind picked up, and we were hunkered down in the middle of a hail and lightening storm.

And although it sounds strange, at that moment, sheltered beneath a sequoia with driving hail and lighting crashing around us, I was suddenly having a great time. Now I realized that I actually WAS in nature, it wasn't all a facade for tourists, and suddenly I was able to appreciate Yosemite and the power of nature there in a different way. It was scary up there for a few minutes, but generally it gave us a sense of adventure.

Other highlights include seeing fat bears roaming around in broad daylight, getting stung by a nastly little bee on the first day, hiking Sentinel Dome and Glacier Point (great views!), the fact that our campsite wasn't actually crowded, checking out cliffs and waterfalls that measured in the thousands of feet, swimming in the river after hiking in the heat, being the ONLY people with raingear in the rain/hail storm, and generally just seeing all those famous landmarks for the first time.

I think that is all for now. Mike and I are headed up to Mendocino for a night (anniversary present from dad!) to see the ocean and maybe more redwoods.

I'll write more when I can!