I moved into housing in El Portal, CA on a Friday. I got stuff put away and organized, went grocery shopping, and slept hard that night. The next day, I was ready to explore. My goal, Yosemite Valley.
I had my map and I studied it well so I would know exactly where to go. I drove into the park and enjoyed the drive into the Valley. However, I quickly noticed something I hadn't anticipated. Trees.
Yes, trees. I mean, I knew there would be trees, but not that many! I thought the Visitor Center and Museum, cafes, gift shops, and the Ahwahnee and Yosemite Lodges would be easy to see. No, they're not. There are too many trees.
It was at this moment I realized I'd been living in the desert too long. I'm so used to wide open expanses with nothing to block your view but the mountains in the far distance.
I was lost. I couldn't find the landmarks I had made for myself when I studied my map earlier. It was Saturday so the Valley was absolutely packed with people everywhere and cars everywhere and bikes everywhere.
I finally found a place to park about two miles from the Visitor Center. I started to hike. I had a map, but because of the trees, I couldn't see landmarks to let me know how much further I still had to walk.
And then, there was a break in the trees. Hello, Yosemite Falls.
Sounds like you have been living in the desert too long!! Trees are going to be a good thing ... Don't think of getting turned around as getting lost.... Think of it as an opportunity to explore another place you would not have otherwise found.
ReplyDelete