Engaged!

I'm so excited!!  My little brother, who I love, proposed to his girlfriend Alexandra, who he loves, at sunrise on the beach in Virginia, on Memorial Day.  I'm excited for Alexandra to join the family.  I am thrilled beyond words for both of them.  Hooray!

Different View

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.

Perhaps this will be another paradigm shift this summer: getting used to a different view (pun intended).  Instead of being annoyed the trees get in the way, accepting them as part of the view.  Any and all welcome to come enjoy the view with me.

Paradigm Shift

What do you think of when you think of California? 

 

Surfing?

Disneyland?

Movie stars?

100 degrees in November in Death Valley?

May I suggest a paradigm shift?  The Sierras are beautiful.  Welcome to Yosemite National Park!

Alpine lake on Tioga Pass.

 Yosemite Valley with the mist starting to rise. (Can you see the waterfall on the right side?)

This is a truely beautiful place.  I've been here a week, I've been thrown into work head first, I've been able to bike to work, and I'm loving it!  I have a feeling this summer will include a lot of paradigm shifts.

More to come.  Having access to internet is sporadic, no surprise, but I will try to get two posts out each month again.  Visitors always welcome!