The definition of the word “Yosemite” should be: ‘wonder, awe and amazement’. Picture yourself in Yosemite Valley, feet widespread, hands reaching to the sky as you view El Capitan: a huge granite mountain rising straight up from the valley floor – could the word be a universal word of praise for the unparalleled beauty rising upward 3,600′ right in front of you? Yosemiteeee! So huge, that picking out the 10-12 climbers we eventually counted was impossible with the naked eye. But no, the word is the name of the Native Americans that lived in what is now Yosemite Valley.
My friends Laurie and Kevin joined me for a four-day exploration of Yosemite National Park. Route 120 had reopened from the Rim Fire the day before I visited the park, allowing me entry from the East side of the park. My friends came from the West side and we met in Yosemite Valley at Housekeeping Camp. Such fun, we had some pretty awesome gourmet meals thanks to Laurie’s expertise! I cooked one night, she cooked 3 nights!
On our first day’s exploration, we went to Glacier Point and the Mariposa Sequoia Grove. The view from Glacier Point included Half Dome in the distance and Cathedral Point.
Half Dome was formed during the glacier age about a million years ago. The ice smoothed the top of the domes (there are many mountains with smooth domed tops), giving them striations just like the Devil’s Postpile area.
Half Dome with the remains of burnt trees in the foreground. Yosemite is one of the parks that has begun to allow fires to burn through the park. Many pines (and the Sequoias) don’t release their seeds until heat from fires make it happen. The sequoia seeds will only root if they fall on cleared ground (as in ash from a fire). They won’t even sprout if there are leaves, underbrush and pine needles!
During the drive to Glacier, I was in the midst of remembering a family trip through Yosemite when I was five years old – that I hadn’t recollected until I drove into the park the day before. I had gotten a feeling of deja vu while taking a photo of a lake when I drove into the park. Then, as I was reading the details of the Mariposa Grove, I realized that I remembered being in the park with our 1953 green Chevy coupe parked near the giant sequoia tunnel tree. My parents had not been story tellers, and I don’t think I ever heard them say that we went through Yosemite to get from Donner Pass to Hollywood. One of those things you wish you’d asked them before they passed away. Found the slides from the trip though! – will post a pic once I get them converted to digital.
The Sequoia grove is one of those things you have to see to believe, as there is no way the camera can capture how big these trees are – even with a spiffy wide-angle lens! We hiked to the top of the trail where a nice little museum detailed facts about the sequoias. It brings it home how old they really are when you start counting backwards to see what was happening 2500 years ago in history. (Confucius around 2500 and a few hundred years later the birth of Christ and the tree was a sapling).
Mariposa Grove Museum (at the top of a goodly sized hill).
An editorial note here: When you see printed words in blue – that’s a link to something else to see. I realized that not everyone knew that after visiting my friends Bren and Larry last night who are horse people and I knew they’d like the Mule Days video of the mules first rolling around without their packs, then later pulling the borax wagons and how they have to jump the trace to keep the wagons from falling over. But they hadn’t realized that they could click the blue words and get to something else. ALSO, don’t be afraid to sign up to ‘follow’ my blog. They won’t email you with anything else except my blog – it works most of the time to notify you of my newest blog posts.
Beautiful pictures! I grew up an hour from Yosemite and went there thru my youth. Being in the groves of Big Trees helped from my nascent spirituality and my love of Nature which has survived in my love of gardening. Yosemite will always be my favorite National Park.
peace,
Steve
LikeLike
How fortunate you were to be able to grow up with that magnificent beauty. I too am a gardener, I believe that makes one even more appreciative of wild beauty.
LikeLike
Those Sequoias are truly amazing
LikeLike
They really are. Have been reading ‘The Wild Trees’ by Richard Preston, true stories about people who actually free climb those giants.
LikeLike
The view from the top of a sequoia must be surreal.
LikeLike
I was there when I was 18 I’m now 52 and I’m still in awe when I see these pictures. Thanks for sharing.
LikeLike
Reblogged this on Chris Stacey`s internet in the diamonds.
LikeLike
amazing picture!!
LikeLike
Reblogged this on librarykvknk.
LikeLike
awesome photos!
LikeLike
Someday I will get here, great photos.
LikeLike
Reblogged this on usgovtshutdowngear.
LikeLike
Inspiring photos. Yosemite turned 123 during the government shutdown. Come over to http://usgsdgear.wordpress.com/ to discuss national parks, the government shutdown, and more
LikeLike
Love it, this week last year we were there. Now back home in Spain, v different! Lovely photos. SD
LikeLike
I love this post! I grew up a two hour drive from Yosemite and spent a lot of time there hiking and backpacking all over. Your post gave been a mean case of nostalgia 🙂 And your photos are so beautiful and well-taken. I’ve only taken one photography class, but I’m so impress by the composition. Thanks for posting this !
LikeLike
You’re welcome. Most of my posts are centered around California right now, enjoy!
LikeLike
I’ve been here once back in 2003 and I miss it so much. I have some memories of the place but not as much as I would like. I definitely need to return here one day.
LikeLike
I copied some of your pic’s and I’ll put your link in my site.
LikeLike
Reblogged this on closetoeighty and commented:
The world is beautiful! We must be given all opportunities to see miracles of nature. In the future closing of national parks must made be made illegal.
LikeLike
It is beautiful, I agree that national parks shouldn’t be part of a political fight. When I was there, there were so many foreign visitors there for a trip of a lifetime, a shame to hide the beauty.
LikeLike
amazing way of taking pictures. it is so nice looking at your pictures.
LikeLike
I too enjoyed the Yosemite pics! California is a long drive, even from Denver and my Utah parks next state over, but in May 2014 I’ve reservations in Curry Village-for the hikes and windshield viewing of all the sights, including those trees! And no at 64 I won’t be atop Half Dome. I will grind up to Glacier Point for the workout; I won’t fall there!
LikeLike
The hike that you can get to from Curry Village up to the Vernal Falls is quite a climb too. Have fun!
LikeLike
Be prepared, Curry Village was VERY crowded when I was there, but at least you can get away from it quickly!
LikeLike
Love it, one of my favourite places in the world – so much so that I have devoted an entire lecture to Yosemite on my undergraduate Geomorphology course. Beautiful images!
LikeLike
Rocks, granite, etc. I’ve wished many times that I knew more about them. So many astounding formations! I always have to look up the names and types, so interesting.
LikeLike
Excellent series, love number three.
LikeLike
Amazing pictures. I would love to go there one day. 🙂
LikeLike
beautiful photography!
LikeLike
Wowee! Those trees are big! The biggest I ever seen was on Vancouver Island, Canada. The place is called Catherdral Grove! They are around the same size too I believe.
I enjoyed the information on Yosemite because it is on my list of places to go next year, as well as Sedona and the Grand Canyon.
Happy travelling!
LikeLike
gorgeous pictures, especially the last one 🙂
thanks for sharing and congratulations on being freshly pressed.
LikeLike
Reblogged this on 06cedmuho.
LikeLike
Fabulously gorgeous pictures!!!!
LikeLike
Reblogged this on The Dead Game.
LikeLike
Reblogged this on The Lamp Post Slayer and commented:
Beautiful. The simple things in life that mean everything.
LikeLike
Love your post, love your photos, LOVE Yosemite! Have been there myself a number of times growing up, and I keep going back. Its seriously one of my favorite places in the world. Thanks so much for sharing.
LikeLike
Thanks for the memories. My family vacationed in Yosemite every summer at Housekeeping Camp while I was a young boy in the 50s and 60s. I worked there in the summer when in college. After escaping the draft for The Vietnam War, I went there to live and work year round at the Wawona Hotel. I met my wife and got married there in 1975. We eventually settled in the Northwest to raise our family, but our hearts remain in the gorgeous Sierra Mountains of Yosemite. Thanks again for refreshing those memories. 🙂
LikeLike
How nice that you were able to enjoy Yosemite for so long. You’re welcome, I’m loving the Sierras too.
LikeLike
Gorgeous images of one of the most beautiful places in the world I have visited! Beautiful captures and wonderful visit!
LikeLike
Yosemite is my Disney Land! I love it so much and I have lost count of how many times I have visited. Thank you for writing!
LikeLike
You’re welcome!
LikeLike
Wow…. really beautiful. Nice blog post!
LikeLike
You also have outstanding photos – well done!
LikeLike
Thank you. 😉
LikeLike
Thanks very much! So many lovely comments. I am traveling this week, making responding difficult, but I’ll reply to most eventually.
LikeLike
Love the photographs. I especially love the last one with the giant Sequoias against the cabins. This photo shows how big the Sequoias actually are.
LikeLike
It’s really hard to get that perspective, thanks. Glad you enjoyed.
LikeLike
Such cool photos. Yosemite is high on my list of places to visit – I love US national parks!
Congrats on being Freshly Pressed.
LikeLike
Thanks, glad you enjoyed!
LikeLike
Thanks very much.
LikeLike
Thanks for the adventure!
LikeLike
You’re welcome!
LikeLike
This is great. Most beautiful place I’ve ever been!
LikeLike
It is for me too.
LikeLike
fabulous photos, a place i’ve always wanted to travel to, thanks for sharing your journey.
LikeLike
You’re welcome, my pleasure!
LikeLike
Yosemite always like that ..
Amazing pic’s
LikeLike
Thank you.
LikeLike
Reblogged this on Homie Williams. and commented:
— J.W.
LikeLike
Thanks, will be fun catching up on all the blogs I’ve met!
LikeLike
Congrats on being Freshly Pressed. Great that you are, so that I found this beautiful post. My husband ,son and I spent some time in the US in 2009 and part of that trip was time in Yosemite. I was immediately taken back to our fantastic time there looking through your lovely photos. As a family from Western Australia which is a very flat ,dry part of the world it was an immense pleasure to be able to walk through meadows of long grass, dwarfed by the majestic mountains, and massive trees. Thanks for the memories.
LikeLike
Thank you for the lovely comments.
LikeLike
Awesome post. I backpacked Yosemite when I was younger, climbing half-dome and the rest and it seriously has to be one of the most beautiful places around.
LikeLike
You are absolutely right! Thank you.
LikeLike
Wow, amazing pictures of this fantastic scenery! Just seen your post on freshly pressed, congratulations!
LikeLike
Thank you very much!
LikeLike
Beautiful photos! Yosemite is on my bucket list, or rather my while I’m still young and flexible enough to really explore it well list.
LikeLike
I understand that motivation!
LikeLike
First, congratulations on being Freshly Pressed. Your photographs are beautiful, and bring back wonderful memories or my own. It’s ironic that the public can’t see what you saw right now because of the government shutdown. Thanks for sharing, and congratulations again.
Bruce
LikeLike
Thank you very much.
LikeLike
Reblogged this on Meu blog.
LikeLike
Thank you!
LikeLike
Gorgeous photos! It makes me want to go back to Yosemite tomorrow!!!
Congratulations on being FRONT PAGE on WordPress. Way to go!!
LikeLike
Love the photos! I was able to hike around the park for 4-5 days and your photos capture the immensity and beauty of what I remember. Thanks for bringing me back. Looking for to seeing more work.
LikeLike
I live in a very limited area for internet. That is the main detriment to more frequent posts – and the fact that I’m out shooting most of the time!
LikeLike
Of course, the mountain ranges screew up alot of the reception, also considering there are limited towers around yosemite lol.
LikeLike
Great pictures! I would love to visit Yosemite someday; it looks beautiful.
LikeLike
It is, put it at the top of your list!
LikeLike
Stunning pictures. I would love to visit Yosemite National Park at some point. It has always been in the back of my mind. Just beautiful.
LikeLike
You must visit. Make time, it’s like nothing I’ve ever seen before.
LikeLike
I’m not sure, I have quite a stockpile of places I’ve been (and terrible internet with which to NOT post). I usually wait for inspiration!
LikeLike
AMAZING pictures! Yosemite is on my bucket list to visit along with a bunch of other national parks in the West. I absolutely love the jagged peaks of the Rockies. They’re so different, wilder somehow, than the Appalachian peaks. Did you see any interesting wildlife out there?
LikeLike
A few deer, a coyote – but that’s all for Yosemite. And yes, I love the points and jags in the west.
LikeLike
Wow, beautiful pictures! I hope to visit there one day. : )
LikeLike
🙂
LikeLike
What awesome pictures. My favorite part is hanging out in Curry Village! I bet you are like me and can’t wait to go back!
LikeLike
My favorite places were Mariposa Grove and Tuolumne Meadows – so tranquil.
LikeLike
Those are wonderful as well!
LikeLike
~ You know, I wanna go here and your photos served as beautiful inspiration. Thanks and congrats on being FP! 😉 – Bliss, The Lurker’s List
LikeLike
Thank you. I’m totally looking forward to spending time getting to know all of you new blogger friends! I will be going back to Yosemite – I hope next week!
LikeLike
~ Wow, I’m jealous hahaha… 😀 Addicted to the place? Where are you going next after Yosemite? 🙂
LikeLike
Love your photos and your story. Brings me back to the semiweekly swims I used to take at the pool at Yosemite Lodge while glancing over to see Upper and Lower Yosemite Falls when I was a tour guide.
LikeLike
AND, part of the magic of the trip was remembering images from when I was five years old. What a nice experience for you, glad I brought back memories.
LikeLike
These are beautiful pix. I’m thrilled to have found you!
LikeLike
Thanks so much, I look forward to hearing from you again. Deep down, we all like praise – God is Good!
LikeLike
My wife and I traveled there many years ago. Your pictures reminded us of the beauty of nature. Thank you.
LikeLike
Thank you, I will be going back many times while I’m nearby. Glad you enjoyed reminiscing!
LikeLike
Loved Ansel Adams and the black and whites of the mountains. There is something glamorous and stark about them at the same time.
LikeLike
Thank you for sharing your experience – Happy trails – Pat
LikeLike
Thank you so much, I’m happy to share all the beauty. Happy trails to you too!
LikeLike
Very Interesting and fabulous Photographs, the way you have described the Yosemite valley is very Beautiful. Good job 🙂
LikeLike
Thanks so much – so nice to get so many lovely kudos and comments.
LikeLike
Just beautiful! Thanks for sharing and congratulations on being ‘Freshly Pressed’.
LikeLike
Thanks so much – such a nice surprise getting the award and now I’m meeting all kinds of new friends! Praise God!
LikeLike
WoW!!! Amazing! I hope I could go there!
I love the pictures! 🙂
LikeLike
Thanks so much. The whole park is almost too much for words to express and pictures do not do justice!
LikeLike
Hi there, I read your blog on a regular basis.
Your story-telling style iis awesome, keep doing
what you’re doing!
LikeLike
Oh, and thanks for the pics of Mariposa Grove. The road was snowed in the day we were there. You got all of that big tree except a couple of needles at the top in the photo!
It’s great to have that memory of a family trip jump out at you when you saw the park again . I look forward to the photos.
LikeLike
Those trees, as you know, do not photograph well. It is my hope that the park will still be open and I can spend another couple days there to get those photos I missed!
Yes, I had thought until I drove in that day, that I had never been to Yosemite before!
LikeLike
Beautiful pictures Barb, but then I would expect nothing less of you!
LikeLike
Thanks Carol, As you could tell, I love Yosemite! I am on the east coast for another week.
LikeLike
PS I like the explanations better in person anyway!!
LikeLike
Thanks, it was fun. Have a great Icelandic journey!
LikeLike
Posted already! You are one busy, busy girl! So glad we got to connect. Thanks for that. I’ll keep following along. You keep paving the way!
LikeLike