“It is by far the largest of all the special temples of nature to which I have been allowed to enter.” ~ John Muir
By chasing the Merced river deeply winding in Yosemite National Park, I found myself stuck to the window, eyes wide with the magnificent landscape; Hills full of bright yellow wild flowers, trees, rocks and hills that have reached the sky, large birds flying above and waterfalls full of precipitated beauty-These are some of the wonders of the Yosemite valley.
When I decided to make my solo adventure from the American West Coast, there were a few things I had to do, and in California, we had to visit Yosemite. From San Francisco, I was recovered for my Yosemite tour at my hotel early in the morning, the sun still heading, near the shuttle that took us to the pier to catch the tourist bus that would take us to the heart of the Yosemite National Park valley. As usual, when I started to explore the natural world, I was in shiny and bushy tail, that does not mean that I did not need coffee or two, because it was going to be a long and complete day.
There are three million acres of Sierra Nevada which are protected by the National Wilderness Preservation System, and this includes almost all (95%) of Yosemite National Park. The park has 9,000 years of human history, but now shelters some of the most emblematic animals in North America such as the mountain lion and the black bear as well as cute mammals such as the yellow stomach marmote and the pika as well as a plethora of beautiful birds of the pèlers with the Clark Casseur, and the Swift Black at the Jay Stellaire.
There is so much to explore in Yosemite National Park, from Sequoia Groves – which houses giant redwoods whose trunks can reach more than 25 feet thick and can live more than 2000 years, in Haute Sierra – with hundreds of hiking trails through this sculpted freezing landscape but for me, I had a day to explain its wonders in its picturesque valley.
“The Yosemite valley, for me, is always a sunrise, a glitter of green and golden wonder in a large building of stone and space.” ~
Ansel Adams
We followed the Merced river in the heart of the Yosemite valley, at a reasonably slow pace to enjoy the passing natural beauty, and we stopped in a few key views for great opportunities to take photos and breathe superb views. Our first judgment offered an impressive view of the valley flanked on each side by El Capitan (left), a giant granite cliff of more than 7,500 feet and on the right was half dome, a curved cliff of almost 9000 feet. I am almost sure that I was standing there, again, calm, with a camera by my side during the first five minutes just in admiration of really magnificent nature, and the wonderful feeling of lightness, peace and pure content that it offers to those who take the time to stop and appreciate its grandeur. This does not mean that I did not take a hundred photos then – I could only describe it so well – I needed to show people its wonder!
There was this giant tree which distinguished itself in the valley and for any reason, I could not help but be attracted on it. There was there, this wonderful solid tree, standing out from the others, almost alone in a certain way, but surrounded by a pure beauty and an obvious part of the global image – then I achieved, as a solo traveler that I could identify with this tree, but always so part of the world that surrounds it and standing and proud, we are all individuals – as we are all the forest, are not alone, but we are not all a little part of the whole – the forest, and although we are not alone, but we are not alone.
After a few additional stops for superb views or to explore various stunts along the way, we headed for the village of Yosemite Valley where we were released for a few hours, for lunch, to explore, hike and enjoy the wonders of Yosemite. I was impatient to start exploring, so after a quick bite to eat for lunch, I left to hike on Yosemite waterfalls. One thing that I had not known before my visit is that many waterfalls were dry or are considerably reduced after spring – so if they are stunts, you are sure to visit in the spring. I went to the main falls, which are composed of two – the upper and the bottom, and at certain points of view, you can see the two separate falls but many points, including closely, it appears as one. But like many nature enthusiasts, I took my time, looking deep in the woods in search of fauna, stopping to listen to birds and of course photograph all the incredible little treasures that I found – mushrooms with wild flowers and even rocks. I was blown away by the size of certain rocks, they were huge, with trails to be diverted around them. I felt like Alice in Wonderland, I may have eaten a tea cake because everything was massive from the trees to the rocks via the cliffs. I was in Wonderland!
Follow the trails that ride around Yosemite Creek, I came across a common female woman – a magnificent bird with superb coloration details and feathers on her head. I also saw Jays Stellar for the first time and I fell in love, I must admit that they are one of my favorite birds now! These beautiful birds, of similar size to the blue Jay, have a dark hood (almost black) and surprisingly vibrant blue stockings. They were in the trees near the stream as well as to build nests in the village.
When I reached the base of the main falls, after a few photos, I sat down and I appreciated the view, wrapped in a giant tree forest, the noise of precipitated water hitting the rocks then the quieter flow while it was riding below the bridge that I sat in the forest, and the feeling of the mist when the powerful falls gave a thumb, Forget, I could never sit there – but it was a moment in time, I could never forget.
It was an incredible day in Yosemite, and I met superb travelers as well as giant granite cliffs like El Capitan with his personality greater than life – I know that you are probably wondering, “How can a rock have a personality?”‘, I assure you that it is the case and you have to meet him!
El Capitan
It was one day that I would never forget and that I leave myself with a darling and durable feeling of need to be surrounded by nature which is difficult (not impossible) in my daily life of full -time work, writing and blogs. I am now trying to escape in the wild at least once a week, whether it is a little walk outside or a hike on the trails. I will be forever grateful for my day in the valley and the wonders of Yosemite when they taught me that going out was really.
“I only went out for a walk, and I finally concluded to stay outside until sunset, to come out that I really found.” ~ John Muir
Have you visited Yosemite? What was your favorite wonder?
