Tuesday, September 3, 2013

Yosemite

It is hard to believe a fire could be so massive as to have burned 357 square miles of the most breathtakingly gorgeous land  I have ever seen - Yosemite National Park. As I think back, I can see the giant sequoias,  the deer, the chipmunks and other little animals scampering, I can smell the pine forest, and feel the cool shade which the trees offered, 


I can hear the birds singing and the leaves rustling with the wind. Now, a blaze that began 16 days ago and is not expected to be contained for another 18 days has changed that land forever.

It's amazing how reading about this horrific fire, has sparked wonderful memories of a short vacation to visit my sister, Joan and her husband, Fred.  They were living not far from Yosemite and the highlight of my visit was an excursion into the Park.  A spot they had loved and wanted to share with me. The drive began with the red clay soil, and shrubbery of cactus and tumbleweed, becoming rolling hills that soon gave way to steep and winding narrow mountain roads and dense forrest on either side. It seemed as if we drove forever surrounded by lovely forestry.  But then, we were at the heart of Yosemite.  Looking up and seeing the massive waterfalls, 


                                                                                   Upper yosemitefall.jpg  nps.gov

being surrounded by the highest mountains and feeling so tiny in this, God's land.  What a beautiful creation...

We spent the day hiking and pretending to be Ansel Adams as we photographed so many of the sights which he had made famous with his black and white photography. 

We had lunch at, and toured the magnificent Ahwahneewww.yosemitepark.com/the-ahwahnee.aspx Hotel.  











Photo from the Ahwahnee website




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We saw campers and campgrounds, picnickers, hikers, climbers, photographers, artists, people reading, people meditating,  all breathing in the fresh air and the wonderment of this heavenly vista.

El Capitan.jpg  jspencerv.blogspot.com



Let's hope the fire can be extinguished soon, so future generations  can enjoy the majestic sites as I had seen them. 






1 comment:

  1. Such a beautiful and unique place! Hopefully the fire would be controlled and put out soon, to continue holding the amazing beauty we could find in Yosemite National Park! Thank you Dear Betsy! :) <3

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