Well yesterday and today were just two more super fabulous fun days in one of the most beautiful places anywhere. Another opportunity to enjoy time with fine people from all over the world who've come here, to this special place, to commune with nature and together strengthen humanity. I've been just dying to tell you all about the totally awesome fine time I've had recently. It would only have been better if I could have taken all of you with me and we could have been together the whole time having laughs and singing songs as we walk along the trails.
Yesterday, after taking lots of pictures at "Tunnel View," I hiked to "Inspiration Point" and "Stanford Point." All these spots provide postcard-quality views of the Yosemite Valley, including such landmarks as El Capitan, Half Dome, Mount Hoffman, Bridalveil Falls, and the Valley floor. That's one of the two photos above. Even better, cars and tour buses can easily access the Tunnel View, located right next to a tunnel on Highway 41. So I was blessed with the chance to share this incredible experience with dozens of happy, excited tourists from all over the world. They spoke different languages, smoked a wide variety of cigarettes, and walked around all over the place taking pictures of everything as their little children shrieked and exclaimed with childhood exuberance. Many of them honored me by asking me to use their own cameras to take their pictures, which I totally didn't mind at all because even though I was trying to start my hike, the day is always long enough to make new friends and send people along their way with a special little "hey you, I hope you have a wonderful day!"
Anyway, my hike started at around 4,500 feet and took me to around 6,600 feet at the top near Stanford Point. Its basically a three hour scramble up the valley wall, going up a steep grade nearly the whole time. At first the trail runs through mixed country, with bushes and pine and fir trees, including rocks and other scrub along the ground. Later, it includes more ferns and leafy ground vegetation, with some redwoods. The richer vegetation owes to several creeks running from the top. The whole effect turns the forest Kermit the Frog green. The ascent is challenging and I was breathing pretty hard the whole way. But in a soul nourishing, commune with nature kind of way that enriches the soul and teaches respect for God and the earth, and every creature living in the forest. I had the extra special good fortune to get lost during the first five minutes, as I missed the trail marking. It took me around 20 minutes to figure out I had missed the trail, during which time I got scratched up pretty good trying to get past the bushes. But this just gave me a chance to experience scenery most people don't ever see up close, and to stay super close to the trees, the plants, and the insects that greeted a rare visitor. The guide book I had consulted rated this trail as "moderate" difficulty, which failed to capture its true character. There's even more good fortune, the happy surprise of encountering an unexpected physical challenge. Makes me stronger; helps me live longer. Stanford Point basically consists of bare escarpment jutting out over the Valley. You can see most of the Yosemite Valley, as long as you make sure not to get too close to the edge. Otherwise you see way TOO much. Oh, sorry, that was negative. Well, I won't let that happen again. Anyway, I ate lunch there, and certainly took lots of photos so that all my readers and friends can have just as much fun as I did. When I turned back it began to rain softly. The rain falling on the leafy canopy and ground plants created a really nice whooshing sound, making the risk of ruining my new camera totally worthwhile. And even more fortuitous, I didn't experience the same right foot pain that I did the day before. So it didn't hurt, that much, going back down the steep downhill grade. Overall, the hike was formidable but the views made it quite satisfying. Yet another positive, happy Yosemite vacation day.
I designated the next day, today (where I am at least), as Mellow Day. Not being 21 anymore, which is so awesome because I've had so many great experiences with totally cool people for all these years, my body needed a little time to recover and regain strength. So I slept in a little bit and had a leisurely breakfast, fortifying my positive attitude and renewing my "A-OK" vacation spirit. I noticed that people have continued coming to Yosemite, braving the hantavirus situation just like me, which makes it an even more special experience to enjoy during this particular time.
Today I visited three locations: the turn of the (last) century Wawona Hotel, the Mariposa Grove of giant sequoias, and Taft Point.
The hotel is a designated National Landmark. It resembles an old Southern hotel, with wood construction and huge two story porch along the entire building. It also has some outbuildings, including the Moore Cottage which resembles a large private home. The hotel seems to reflect an early attempt to build a "resort" within the Park borders, along with tennis courts, a nine hole golf course, an excellent dining room and full hotel staff. The grounds were very attractive, and after returning from the sequoia grove I sat in a wicker rocking chair for a few minutes jotting notes and looking through my guide book. I could have stayed even longer, which would have been consistent with Mellow Day, but the dry warm breeze and the quiet surroundings (only a few people were on the porch and they were playing cards) would have put me to sleep and I'd have missed the opportunity to see even more stupefying portions of the Park. Its like the time I went to Savannah during October, and fell asleep in the afternoon heat while sitting on one of the old town square benches. I fall asleep, sometimes. Just not at night. But that's just another relaxing way to experience fantastic surroundings.
Preceding the hotel, I toured the giant sequoia grove. Giant sequoias are the largest trees in the world, and can live to the oldest ages of any life. They grow only in the Sierras in eastern California. Yosemite features several groves, owing to a successful late 19th century struggle to preserve them from logging. The sequoias can only grow in extremely limited conditions, present only in the Sierras. They are incredibly resistant to fire, and even depend on it to help open up their seeds and drive off predators and rival trees. And they're huge; check my photos. They absolutely dwarf other trees and people. Tons of people speaking all different languages were visiting the grove. I rode a shuttle bus from the hotel, with one extended Spanish family with lots of kids acting boisterously. Those kids were so overcome with excitement to see big trees. And it was great that their parents didn't try to rein in their youthful joy and stunt their emotional development by urging them to keep still and stay quiet, not even when the bus driver was making announcements about the grove and return arrangements. I had absolutely no desire to reach for my death ray gun and start shooting. I stayed about an hour and a half, wandering about the grove and enjoying the sequoias' dominating presence. During the walk, a large branch came crashing down right next to the trail, scaring a nearby woman to the point of causing her to scream about as loudly as the actual crash that provoked it. But how fortunate that she, and everyone else nearby, could experience this wonderful natural reality firsthand.
From there I went to the hotel, then to Taft Point. This is across the valley from El Capitan, also extending out into the valley. The Point is located on the Glacier Point road, about half an hour from Wawona and at a much greater elevation. The temperature dropped about 10 degrees. It was still hot but much more bearable. Not that it was unpleasant or uncomfortable before, of course, because any temperature is great in Yosemite. The trail leading to Taft Point runs for about a mile, easily reached within half an hour. It also has a number of interesting rock fissures, resulting from natural weathering. Taft Point also has incredible views, again as shown in my photos.
So today was a rewarding, happy, fun, and positive experience that in no way was anything less than totally amazing.
Tomorrow: North Dome. Not "Notre Dame."
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