Yosemite National Park is as grand as everyone says! I was fortunate to hike about 14 (long and rugged) miles of it one day back in 2006 while traveling solo for a week through California! That’s me…looking small beside the towering pine trees!
The terrain was quite varied…ranging from gently sloping fields to arduous and steep inclines.
I think the only trail I didn’t hike that day was the famous Half Dome…pictured here in the background!
I was traveling by Amtrak trains and buses throughout California and met this lady…Claire–from the UK…on a bus heading into Yosemite from Napa Valley. After getting to know each other a bit, she told me of her plan to stay in a Youth Hostel about 45 minutes from Yosemite. I had booked a room for two evenings at the Yosemite Lodge at the Falls…so I invited her to share the room. It was nice to have someone to hike with and her British accent and “little sayings” were so fun! Although I was old enough to be her mother (barely), we got along well!
I was there in September and the weather was glorious! Chilly–crisp mornings warming enough during the day to make the hiking perfect and the sunshine was dazzling! The only downside to visiting Yosemite in the fall is the probability of the falls being dried up.
I was so sore (my back) when we finished hiking (it took us 9 hours with just a few breaks) that I took a hot bath when we returned to the room to soak the pain away!
The following day we took a 14 mile bicycle ride and came across this lovely little chapel. I love the way the sun lit the tree up behind it!
I checked Yosemite National Park off of my bucket list! If it’s not on yours…it should be!
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I love Your post and photos which are great! Your photos bring to my mind our visit there in 1998.
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I’m so happy you were able to visit some of the great U.S. National Parks! I’ll make it to Finland some day soon, I hope!!
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Thank You. Actually I and wife had been there twice. Our second trip in 1998, we made with my daughter and granddaughter. We rented a car to drive around California and Nevada.
If You come to Finland in the Southern part there is one of my favorite place:
Koli national park.
You could start from there Your hiking.
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Thanks very much!!
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Awesome scenery; looks like the promotional DVD I watched about Yosemite. In person is always so much more breathtaking! 🙂
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Thanks Frank! I have a feeling you’re going to have a wonderful day!
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I have a feeling you’re right! Why waste this wonderful gift? 🙂
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Awesome shots.
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Thanks Seth!!
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Beautiful photos!
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Thanks so much Kiwi!!
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Beautiful photos.
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Thanks so much!!
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Stunningly beautiful! Thanks for sharing.
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I’m happy you enjoyed them!
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I was able to tick this one off the bucket list two years ago, and I would love to return at some point. It is a beautiful area. Thank you for sharing these photos
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Cool! Thank you for taking time to comment!
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Being a photographer I am a very big fan of Ansel Adams – need I say more? 🙂
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No…I think that means you love Yosemite!!
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If there’s 1 thing other than getting my novel published before I die, it’s to visit Yosemite. A friend of mine visited the park a few years ago & took more than 300 pix. Just looking at them made me realize how spectacular the place is! Thanks again for sharing.
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I hope you’re able to go soon! Sending peace!!
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Yoselite is one of my favorite places too! My first visit there was in the fall and those colors are so vivid. But every season has its own flair. I have a visit on my list–another return trip. My post on Yosemite was the one of mine that was freshly pressed a bit ago. http://learnmoreeveryday.wordpress.com/2011/05/20/the-grandeur-of-yosemite/ Thanks for bringing up good memories, for your glorious pictures–and for making me envious as I am not in shape enough to do the hikes you do.
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That’s so cool Patti! I didn’t know you were “Freshly Pressed”. Congratulations!!
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Beautiful .. and you photo have increased its beauty I’m sure. That last photo is my favorite … really lovely and the colors against each other.
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Thanks Viveka…that’s my favorite also!!
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Outstanding photos! This is definitely on my bucket list of places to see, hike and enjoy. Thanks for sharing.
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Thanks very much!
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Absolutely beautiful, Sherry! I’m thinking I should add that to my list of Things To Do! Blessings, Love, & LIght, Sloan
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That’s great! Peace to you!!
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Beautiful!!! Makes me want to go….
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Hope you are able to!!
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Wow! So beautiful! Thanks for the photos.
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Thank you Anneli!!
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Gorgoeus pictures of fantastic spots!
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Thanks very much!!
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It’s been on my list for all time, Sherry, and I expect it will continue to be so. I can’t imagine being disappointed in it.
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No…you’ll love it!!
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This is one special looking place that should now be on everyones bucket list.. specially after your post…
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Yes! Have you been to the U.S.?
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About 10 years ago… only did a bit on the east coast as that is where my Daughter and her husband was… did the NYC, Washington, Phillie all that side of the country…
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The West is the best!! I live on towards the East…Ohio. But…we all know there is beauty all around us!
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I was there for one brief day in April, and they had had more water than usual so got to see all the waterfalls at full blast which was great, but I definitely want to go back in the Fall. What beautiful colors!
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Cool! Thanks!!
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Wonderful photos and great narrative too.
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Thank you!
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Interesting your post. It is always good to follow your steps, a great road traveled. Congratulations.
The writer Rumi wrote: You are what you are looking for. Traveling – that’s desirable.
Cruz
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Thanks! I’m looking for more…beauty, truth, light, love, peace, joy, adventure, and so much more!! ~Sherry~
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Looks like a great trip 🙂
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It is one of the best National Parks!!
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Well, you can thank the Scottish man John Muir for that (we’re everywhere you know!) 🙂
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I didn’t know he’s Scottish! Thanks for that bit of info!! 😉
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Born in Dunbar apparently.
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You seem pretty cool…for a Scot!!
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Steady girl!
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Aww…I’m just trying to rile you a bit! I love people from everywhere…especially Scotland!
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😀
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