in the POD - Yosemite

Entering Yosemite Valley

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This will probably be the most difficult post to write. Not for lack of things to say but for loss of words. I am rendered speechless by the beauty, the vastness and the sheer scale of this natural wonder. We were so unprepared for the awe! My eyes are so full and I do believe my heart has swelled. 

Bridalveil Falls, Yosemite

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Yosemite must be seen from every angle -straight ahead, looking up, looking back over your shoulder and dizzily down - as each view provides a different perspective. Every step is truly "an adventure"!

Photos cannot do it justice because they seem to lose the depth and they cannot capture the immense scale of these granite monoliths that rise straight up from the valley floor. These cliffs dwarf the Giant Seqouias and Redwoods that grow in the valley and in the crocks and crevices of these stone giants.

Tim at the base of a Redwood along a bike trail

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We camped for 2 nights at Upper Pines along the wooden edge. A beautiful, quiet campground - the only one open this time of year. The weather was perfect - sunny mid 70's during the day and dropping to @ 28 by morning. The sun rises late in the valley and the morning chill is surely felt on morning bike rides! But once the sun enters the valley over half dome .... Glorious!

The park was busy althou for most of our bike and hiking trips we often were alone. I cannot imagine visiting in the summer....

A visitor foraging one morning behind the POD

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The National Park Service has done it quite well here. Everyone is helpful, friendly and they care! The visitor center is incredibly informative about the geology of the valley, its history and its stewards. The small museum has an incredible collection of Native American baskets made by the people that populated this valley. The Awanhee Hotel, built in 1927, is grand but sits beautifully in the landscape. It also houses a collection of baskets and weavings.

The Awanhee Hotel at Yosemite

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We only touched the surface of this park. We biked most of the north end, biked and hiked to Mirror Lake, Yosemite Falls, and the top of Vernal Falls - spectacular!

The view down was as impressive as the one up. 

Photographer on the edge

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Vernal Falls, Yosemite 

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The hike to Vernal Falls was a bit strenuous at this altitude but so worth it!  The spray  from the falls was refreshing and the views both up, down and all around were incredible! 

Squirrel enjoying the view at the top of Vernal Falls

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 I cannot stress enough that Yosemite needs to be seen! Abraham Lincoln did a very good thing by setting this land aside -  Take it in, breath as deep as you can and carry it forever.