I remember taking my first trip to Yosemite with my neighbor Patrick. His aunt Mary drove us 8hrs to a hotel right outside of the park entrance. The next day we awoke with tons of excitement, waiting to catch our first glimpse of the huge pine trees and massive rock walls surrounding the valley like a fortress. If you've ever been, you know about the tunnel. Everyone who enters the park must go through the tunnel. When you are coming out into the valley, it's like entering another universe. The valley has a beautiful natural and untouched look. There are very few building and roads. If you want to get even closer to gods creation take a short walk on one of the nearby trails. While on the trail you are bound to see some kind of wildlife. On my second trip to Yose in 2008 we experienced 10 different bear encounters.
My Spring 2010 trip with Nate knapp was a blast. It's a mandatory trip for young adults. The wilderness is calming and rejuvenating. The lack of amenities toughens you up. Your mind set changes when there is no other person to rely on, but ones self. If something goes wrong, it's imperative that one must have faith in himself to get out of the situation. Most of our daily lives are pretty safe. If we get cold we turn on a heater. When you're in the wilderness and are wearing everything you brought to keep warm and you're still freezing, then there's a problem. Out here we learn to survive and adapt. It is a moment of heighten awareness. Hanging on the side of Half Dome thousands of feet from the valley floor by a 1/2 inch cable make us very aware of our every move. One small mistake can be fatal. Feeling superior at work or at school is common, but when your here, high on the peaks of Yosemite, you feel small, very small.
Nate feeling the power of Nevada Falls. This landscape is highly photographed. It's a wonderful display of beauty and power. Thousands of gallons of water are being shot off this rock ledge all day and night long. It takes months for the water to slow down. Hard to believe a drought is possible.
Yosemite Falls. One evening out for a little stroll. Very nice sunset just above the sleeping giant.
No comments:
Post a Comment