Where in the World?

Yesterday, my daughter and I took a 3.5 mile hike on trail that started near the parking lot of Inspiration Point which is on the south side of Yosemite Valley. Our destination was the Old Inspiration Point about 1000 foot elevation above where the new Inspiration Point is located. Most of the hike was over 5000 foot elevation.

The hike was difficult mainly because we were not in great shape. But after many stops for rest, we finally reached our destination. Patches of snow became common place but the temperature was around 60 degrees.

After a short rest, we headed back down. The views of Yosemite Valley were breathtaking. Around a 1/2 mile from our car, we stopped to enjoy a grand view of the valley with El Capitan on the right and Bridalveil Falls on the left.

We were able to witness a full rainbow in Bridalveil Falls. This was not an ordinary half circle rainbow. The subtle colors (purple, blue, green, yellow, orange and red) were in the mist itself. So, the effect was like shining multi-colored lights on the waterfall with purple being on the bottom and red on the top. It was quite stunning. I had never witnessed anything like this before. My daughter and I watched transfixed for about 15 minutes. And then it was over.

If we had arrived as little as 2 or 3 minutes earlier we would not have seen the rainbow within Bridalveil Falls. We came to the realization that all the events of the day actually led to us being at the right place and at the precise time to view this extraordinary natural event.

Magic exists in the world. All we have to do is have the patience, belief, practice going with the flow and we will experience and participate in it.

Magic can be right around the corner. Are your eyes, mind and heart open?

Michael

My daughter and I drove to Yosemite yesterday. The Sierra Mountains are magnificent. Shortly after entering the park, we spotted three deer on the side of the road where they were grazing. I was able to slowly get within 8 or 9 feet of them while they cautiously watched me. I made no threatening movements, which seemed to keep them calm.

Passing El Capitan (the tallest granite cliff in the world) made me feel tiny and at the same time connected to something much bigger than myself. We watched through binoculars at mountain climbers camping on the sheer rock face. Turning south, we could easily see Bridal Veil Falls. The splendor and enormity of the scenery was almost overwhelming. It was nice to share this with my daughter.

Yosemite is one of my favorite places that I’ve been too. It’s been a couple of years since I’ve had the opportunity to visit again. I’m glad to be back. Yosemite therapy is some of the best in the world.

More tomorrow.

Michael

For me, special places are where your heart sings, you get a lump in your throat, your soul becomes peaceful and your mind becomes quiet. Everyone has a special place or two; a favorite park, a tree, a certain seashore, restaurant, etc. It doesn’t matter where the place it is. The point is that it affects you on so many levels that you are changed each time you go.Yosemite National Park is my special place. I absolutely love the entire park, but there is one place that changes me every time I go. There are basically three ways to drive into the park; the northern, middle and southern route. California Hwy 120 is the northern road and the route I frequently take to enter Yosemite.

As I drive the winding roads through forests of Ponderosa Pine, Western Juniper and Jeffrey Pine, my anticipation level steadily increases as my car climbs elevation. I’ve been here so many times that I almost know every curve in the road, every granite rock outcropping and where the spectacular views can be found. The air is crisp up here above 6000 feet. The aromas of conifers touch the senses.

Very near the opening to Yosemite Valley, turning your head west as you drive, gives a view of an open area that dramatically drops off to the right. You can barely get a sense that a river is up ahead and has been working for thousands of years snaking its way through the granite. I’m very close now to my special place and my excitement level is off the scale.

Up ahead, the road turns to the left and immediately on the right is a scenic vista point with a parking area. This is the first moment you can see the valley from Hwy 120. No words make it from my mind to my vocal cords. I walk down the slight embankment towards the valley and then turn slightly to the right and in seconds I cannot see the parking lot at all.

I continue to slowly inch my way down. It becomes steeper with each step I take. I climb down a very sharp drop off. I’ve reached my special place; a small ledge that overlooks the Merced River rushing through the valley almost 2000 feet below me. All I can hear is the river and the wind. No cars. No other people around.

My mind is still. My heart has slowed down. My breath is barely noticeable while my eyes follow the river east up the valley towards El Capitan and Half Dome. I’m like a battery that needs re-charging. This special place gives me a charge that lasts for months. It’s like having years of therapy crammed into 30 minutes. I feel rejuvenated and my belief that all things are possible is renewed. I usually stay for about 30 minutes or so before I begin the long winding drive down to the valley floor.

I do thoroughly enjoy every trip to Yosemite, but that 30 minutes on the ledge changes me, renews me and makes me whole again.

Michael