B & D's USA Hideout: Yosemite National Park

The Incomparable Yosemite

The most famous and accessible of these cañon valleys, and also the one that presents their most striking and sublime features on the grandest scale, is the Yosemite, situated in the basin of the Merced River at an elevation of 4000 feet above the level of the sea. It is about seven miles long, half a mile to a mile wide, and nearly a mile deep in the solid granite flank of the range. The walls are made up of rocks, mountains in size, partly separated from each other by side cañons, and they are so sheer in front, and so compactly and harmoniously arranged on a level floor, that the Valley, comprehensively seen, looks like an immense hall or temple lighted from above.

But no temple made with hands can compare with Yosemite. Every rock in its walls seems to glow with life. Some lean back in majestic repose; others, absolutely sheer or nearly so for thousands of feet, advance beyond their companions in thoughtful attitudes, giving welcome to storms and calms alike, seemingly aware, yet heedless, of everything going on about them. Awful in stern, immovable majesty, how softly these rocks are adorned, and how fine and reassuring the company they keep: their feet among beautiful groves and meadows, their brows in the sky, a thousand flowers leaning confidingly against their feet, bathed in floods of water, floods of light, while the snow and waterfalls, the winds and avalanches and clouds shine and sing and wreathe about them as the years go by, and myriads of small winged creatures birds, bees, butterflies--give glad animation and help to make all the air into music. Down through the middle of the Valley flows the crystal Merced, River of Mercy, peacefully quiet, reflecting lilies and trees and the onlooking rocks; things frail and fleeting and types of endurance meeting here and blending in countless forms, as if into this one mountain mansion Nature had gathered her choicest treasures, to draw her lovers into close and confiding communion with her.

- John Muir

Yosemite Valley

The park just celebrated its 125th anniversary in 2015, it was originally formed as the Yosemite Grant and was under state control. It then became the third park to be inducted into the National Park Service. The Park brought many walks of life here, starting with the Native Americans who believe that the people of Yosemite were created here and have been here since the beginning of time. It also brought my favorite photographer, Ansel Adams, as well as arguably America's most notable author, explorer and conservationist, John Muir. Muir's infatuation with Yosemite was captured with his words, Ansel Adams was able to capture its beauty with his camera. I mention these two men because of my personal admiration for them but there were so many others involved with the development of this park, including President Lincoln and President Roosevelt. Yosemite is rich with history and culture and is worth reading more about!

What a treat for us to visit Yosemite in the winter. No crowds, a beautiful dusting of snow and skiing! We camped just outside of the park near their south gate entrance in the small town of Oakhurst, CA. High Sierra RV is a nice spot with full hook-ups and all the nearby amenities. A couple of the main roads through the park are closed for the season but we were still able to make the drive into Yosemite Valley. The first day we explored on our own, stopping at the vista sites to see the amazing rock formations and waterfalls. The second day in the park, we skied at Yosemite's Badger Pass. It is a really small mountain but all 10/10 trails were open and the skiing conditions were great. I think we skied the whole mountain 4 or 5 times but we had the place to ourselves and it was great to get back into the swing of dressing in winter clothes after being in the tropics for 2 weeks. To continue with the tradition of crockpot dinners on ski days, I experimented with slow cooker lasagna. It came out pretty good, a little dry, but pretty good. On our third day in the park, I signed up for an afternoon photography class through the Ansel Adams Gallery. I was the only one to register so I had a one on one session with one of the gallery's photographers, Julia. Since it was just us, Brian drove us around to different points around the Valley, some we had visited on the first day, other spots were off the beaten path. We didn't have the best weather, but I learned some new things about my camera and Julia gave me some informative tips on approaching a shot. I have so much more to learn about photography in all aspects but I'll take any opportunity to learn more. With that, we drove out of the park on the windy road, similar to the Road to Hana in Maui, one last time. We hope to get back to Yosemite again sometime and experience the park in warmer weather to do more hiking and possibly some back country camping.