During our visit, I was eager to absorb as much as we could about this national park, which I learned was the first established national park in the world, thanks to President Lincoln and Scottish-American naturalist John Muir, whose activism helped preserve the Yosemite Valley and Sequoia National Park, and other wilderness areas. I understood quickly why more than 3 million people each year visit the park it’s simply stunning! We camped in the Valley, which was about an hour drive into the park, and it was difficult to keep my eyes on the road for wanting to look at all the beautiful granite cliffs, waterfalls, meadows and mountains all around me. Immediately, I was struck by the vastness of the area and diversity of the landscape. I couldn’t wait to dig in to the week that lay ahead.
Day 1:
After a long day of travel and some wiry kids, my head was pounding when we arrived at our campsite. We spent the day getting acquainted with our RV and setting up our campsite while our two boys, Ryan (7) and Evan (2) ran amuck around us. It suddenly hit me that camping as a parent is much different than camping as a kid. We had to do all the work! It was a lot of not-so-patient waiting on the boys’ parts, which was a challenge, for them and us. But we charged through and a couple Tylenols later, my headache subsided and we were ready to settle in to our week of rest and relaxation.
Day 2:
After a full day, we were all ready for some shut eye, but not before we enjoyed s’mores over the campfire. Before we called it a night, we made sure to have everything cleaned and packed up, safely in our bear locker, to ensure that we didn’t have any nightly visitors. Yosemite is home to nearly 500 American black bears, who are all apparently hungry and will even eat sunscreen. We thankfully never encountered a bear during our visit, and made sure to abide by the park’s bear management regulations.
Day 3:
Day 4:
The next day we explored Vernal Falls via the Mist Trail, which proved to be the most strenuous hike of our stay. Mostly uphill, the trek to the top of the falls, which included a rocky “staircase,” was worth it, until we had to turn around and climb back down. Apparently, I have a fear of heights and slippery cliffs. Who knew?! But, what goes up must come down and inch by inch I made it back down, slowly but surely. Ready for some less intense exploration, we headed back yet again to Yosemite Village to check out the museum and Indian Village, where the boys enjoyed running in and out of the reconstructed teepees.
Day 5:
By the time our last full day rolled around, my husband and I realized that we were starting to run out of things to do and places to explore, at least with having kids in tow. We had explored what seemed like every inch of the Valley, from the hiking trails and meadows to Yosemite Village and Curry Village. We hadn’t yet checked out Yosemite Lodge, which offers hotel-style accommodations and casual dining options, along with an outdoor amphitheater, nature center and gift shop. So we headed over and scoped out a place for dinner, in an effort to simplify our last evening in Yosemite.
During our week of camping, Ryan had befriended a boy his age that was camping next to us with his family. It was fun to watch a new friendship blossom over the short time our families were neighbors. By the time bedtime rolled around on our last night, there were many tears and promises of keeping in touch. Perhaps as a foretaste of what is to come in the months ahead as we prepare to move, my heart ached for my son who has become somewhat accustomed to saying goodbye to friends. While I hurt for the sadness he was feeling, I felt thankful that he too chooses to go to the party, to put himself out there and share his heart with others. He’s always been that way, and I hope he continues to live his life in such a fashion.
Day 6:
Time to pack it up and head on home, with our very own Yosemite souvenir coffee cup and a lifetime of memories. Our time in Yosemite was nothing short of extraordinary. When you strip away the noise of life and reduce yourself to the bare necessities, you realize just how much all the excess can get in your way. Simple moments truly are some of the most remarkable. Cooking popcorn over the camp stove. Snuggling under blankets and reading bedtime stories. Stopping to climb on a rock. Walking to the shower in your flip flops and feeling so grateful to wash away the day’s grime. Throwing out the to-do list and simply enjoying each other. It was a much-needed time for family reconnection and a digital detox for us all. We spent less time looking down at our devices and more time looking up and marveling at God’s handiwork. Even the moments of frustration with urging the boys to finish the hike despite their tired and cranky bodies were ones I wouldn’t trade. It was a time for us to reset and refocus on what matters most each other. And they thought we were just camping.
Mary Douglas
Staff Writer
eCoronado.com
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