"Only our souls can comprehend what our eyes can see."
We took a trip to Yosemite National Park for a few days and even the children were in awe of our surroundings.
Our drive to the Park took us along a road which followed the Merced river cutting its way through the hillside. In areas the river looked calm and peaceful but in most parts the current was strong and the water crashed over the rocks and fallen trees. Mini waterfalls ran down the mountains finding their way to the Merced. At one point in our journey we are diverted across a temporary bridge to avoid the huge landslide that covers the original road entirely.
The weather was so warm (82 degrees) that all the snow on the tops of the mountains was melting. This in turn produced the most magnificent waterfalls we might ever see. Yosemite Falls itself is the tallest waterfall in the United States and the fifth tallest in the world. That fact alone gained a gasp from Owen. The Falls are spectacular. The Upper Falls cascade down in quite a clear gush (not nearly a powerful enough word) from the top of the mountain to then disperse into spray half way down. We followed the Lower Fall trail which took us to the base of the falls. Standing on the bridge over the river literally took my breath away. Surrounded by such immense beauty as this natural creation it is sometimes hard to imagine that we, as the planets intelligent life force, can destroy it so willingly.
At Bridle Falls, which is situated opposite the famous El Capitan, the water is so fast flowing that the river is just not wide enough to hold all the water so it is finding new ways down the mountain via the hiking footpath. Owen and I went up as far as we could and came down looking like drowned rats who had stepped out of the shower.
On one of our walks, we heard Owen shout and run from the wooded area off the path. It turns out that he had crossed paths with a snake! I think I would have run away too. After calming down we went back to investigate to find a small black and yellow snake in the protection of the twigs and pine needles on the forest floor. Knowing nothing about snakes we were unsure of its nature but luckily for a school party and guide were passing who picked it up to show the class. Turns out it was a garter snake, perfectly harmless. The most interesting fact (for us and the school party) was that it poos on its assailant when under attack!
Years ago, Dave and I went on a long backpacking holiday to Canada. We stayed in so many different places but Le Balcon Vert in Quebec really stuck in our minds. Yosemite Bug has had the same effect on us. The family cabins, tents and dorms are dotted around on the side of the hill propped up on stilts, little verandas run round each cabin and from the trees below us is a suspended hammock. The cafe is lively yet cosy producing locally sourced and home grown food with an exciting menu for hungry explorers.
Our room is small with five beds squeezed in but there is still room for old sewing table, a wireless, a cute little dressing table and iron beds with eiderdowns. Quaint and rustic.
We took a trip to Yosemite National Park for a few days and even the children were in awe of our surroundings.Our drive to the Park took us along a road which followed the Merced river cutting its way through the hillside. In areas the river looked calm and peaceful but in most parts the current was strong and the water crashed over the rocks and fallen trees. Mini waterfalls ran down the mountains finding their way to the Merced. At one point in our journey we are diverted across a temporary bridge to avoid the huge landslide that covers the original road entirely.
The weather was so warm (82 degrees) that all the snow on the tops of the mountains was melting. This in turn produced the most magnificent waterfalls we might ever see. Yosemite Falls itself is the tallest waterfall in the United States and the fifth tallest in the world. That fact alone gained a gasp from Owen. The Falls are spectacular. The Upper Falls cascade down in quite a clear gush (not nearly a powerful enough word) from the top of the mountain to then disperse into spray half way down. We followed the Lower Fall trail which took us to the base of the falls. Standing on the bridge over the river literally took my breath away. Surrounded by such immense beauty as this natural creation it is sometimes hard to imagine that we, as the planets intelligent life force, can destroy it so willingly.
At Bridle Falls, which is situated opposite the famous El Capitan, the water is so fast flowing that the river is just not wide enough to hold all the water so it is finding new ways down the mountain via the hiking footpath. Owen and I went up as far as we could and came down looking like drowned rats who had stepped out of the shower.
On our 3 days at Yosemite we tried to see as much as we could and that we were capable of achieving with a 2 year old. We spent all of our time in the valley and were able to take very accessible footpaths on trails to meadows, rivers, bridges, waterfalls, the foot of mountains and through pine forests.
On one of our walks, we heard Owen shout and run from the wooded area off the path. It turns out that he had crossed paths with a snake! I think I would have run away too. After calming down we went back to investigate to find a small black and yellow snake in the protection of the twigs and pine needles on the forest floor. Knowing nothing about snakes we were unsure of its nature but luckily for a school party and guide were passing who picked it up to show the class. Turns out it was a garter snake, perfectly harmless. The most interesting fact (for us and the school party) was that it poos on its assailant when under attack!Yosemite Bug
As I am sitting writing this there is a little caterpillar making its way in the dark across the decking to a nearby tree.
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