We drove in from San Francisco to Yosemite. As we drove, we climbed higher and higher into the mountains, sequoias thickening as we sped through the winding roads.
We passed through the tunnel into the park and there it was. El Capitan, bare, raw exposed.
The afternoon sun beaming through the valley into the distance, where the half dome stood blue and silent in the distance. We parked up and got out, cameras in hand ready for a late afternoon wander. Families packed up and began winding down for the day as we walked around, taking every bit in. We found out way to the meadow. We snapped away as afternoon sun set the dry grass on fire, illuminating golden tones, blades of grass casting tall shadows into the field dancing in the wind. The sun sank lower into the sky, kissing the rocks goodbye before disappearing. It had been a slow afternoon but we appreciated the short walk and sunset after a long days drive. The following day would be long and strenuous, so we sat, ate and made our camp for the evening. Not long before the night drew to a close, Rob spotted a pack of coyotes crossing the roads on the exit of the national park.
The following morning we rose early and made our way to tunnel view carpark. I was mildly shocked to see that the carpark had began to fill so close to 6am, for sunrise over the valley. We set up our tripods front and center and waited. Blues turned to Grey's, turned to warm oranges and peaches until the sun began to fill Yosemite valley. Each rock came to life, one by one. By sunrise we could see everything. The gaping bare face of el cap, the thick, lush green of the sequoia trees carpeting the valley, the curves of the half dome, right off into the distance. If there were a time for a spiritual revelation, this was it. I was left breathless.
We began our day by having breakfast by Cathedral beach and making our way to the 4 mile trail. The clouds had descended and there was definite chill in the air. We put it our coats on and began our hike. The walk was steep and hair pinned up the mountain. During my mapping and planning, I worried about the hike ahead greatly. The path thinned in areas and the ground was less stable than the trails I had been used to. None the less, I climbed. Poles in hand we made it to the top. The weather did nothing to dampen the views.
Panoramic views of the valley opened up infront of us. We sat and ate our peanut butter sandwiches and marvelled. After some lunch and more photo ops, we began our decent. The way back down went on forever. Each step felt heavier until the last. We reached the bottom of the trail before our scheduled time, so headed to upper Yosemite falls trail for the afternoon. The falls were dry and busy. Tourists sat around the barren falls, photographing the chasm where water once sat. Rob and I sat to rest our feet, not moving our cameras. We grew tired and returned to the trailhead. As took a short wander to the village, where we looked at the gift shop and made our way back to camp. We had dinner and turned ourselves in for the night. Aching with achievement. We woke at camp for our final day at yosemite, rain falling intermittently, harder then the day before. We washed, we dressed and put our waterproof jackets on. The day before a few hikers had told us of a few bears they had spotted at the trailhead for the 4 mile hike. I was alert and ready for my first sighting. We parked ready for a short hike around the park. We revisited the village, snapping a beautiful wooden church built for residents of the park. Upon our return, a couple were shooting their wedding shots in the meadow, dancing in the rain. Rob and I stood to admire the scene. After a while, I turned around to look across the road to see two fluffy brown figures tumbled out of the trees, playing and pushing each other. Following them came Mumma bear, carefully keeping her distance, checking her surroundings before finally leading the family deep into the woods. I scrambled for my camera but instead stayed present and grateful to witness such a precious moment. We continued our walk from the village over to cathedral beach. The rain became heavier and before long, we decided to get into the car towards the coast for our final stretch of our road trip.
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