Several weeks ago I took a month long camping trip through the Sierra Nevada Mountains. My highpoint was Yosemite National Park, where I spent over a week basking in the beauty. My campground was just outside the park and was situated right on this creek and waterfall!
The campground I stayed in was surrounded by these mountains, creek and meadows.
Down at the creek near my campsite, kids would gather on the log and keep cool. It was fun to talk with them but oh how I wished I could go out there with them. Knowing I would undoubtedly fall in, I stayed on the shore, and just dunked in the water when I got too hot.
To enter the Park I had to reserve two, 3-day passes that I purchased online. Believe me....they will not let you in if you do not have a reservation. To learn more, click on the NPS website for Yosemite reservations. On the first day of my pass, I drove through the entrance gate of Yosemite National Park and drove straight to Tuolumne Meadows. The sun was just rising and cast a pink glow upon the quiet water. As a kid, my aunt took me and my siblings camping in Tuolumne Meadows nearly every summer. It left a deep impression upon my soul, one that continually brings me back to nature for healing and restoration. I am forever grateful to my aunt for introducing me to the unparalleled beauty and peace in this place.
As soon as I sat down by the water, a mother duck with her ducklings came waddling by. So sweet!
I stopped at Lembert Dome, one of my favorite places in Yosemite. Lembert Dome is a granite rock formation that rises 800 feet above Tuolumne Meadows. I didn't climb to the top this time, but in the past, I joined several different ranger led hikes that brought me to the top of Lembert Dome!
I not only visited my old favorites places but found new ones, to enjoy! The water is so clear you can see straight to the bottom, but it sure is cold......freezing cold.
I have always wanted to hike the John Muir trail from Mt Whitney to Yosemite, 213 miles of intense beauty and rugged terrain. I have come to grips with the fact that I will never hike the JMT, or the PCT or the AT, but I have been on all three for a small portion of the journey. I really admire those folks who have hiked the complete trails!
There are so many different hikes you can take in Yosemite National Park. In the Tuolumne River area, I took this short hike to the Lyell Fork of the Tuolumne River.
Streams and small water holes crossed through the meadows, creating the most beautiful places to sit and enjoy.
At this one spot I found some kids jumping off the bridge into the freezing cold water. The shock would have killed me!
Yosemite is filled with so many beautiful wildflowers. Everywhere I looked I found blooms, trees, water, mountains, meadows and sky. One thing I did not see was a bear. I thank the NPS for creating a safe park for both people and bears to enjoy! "Be Bear Aware!"
Down in Yosemite Valley, tons of people are roaming the trails and campgrounds. While driving down the Big Oak Flat Road, I happened upon this quiet walking trail with a bridge that gave me a stunning view of the mountains and meadows!
Back when I was 17, my sister Judy and I went on a road trip in her beat-up old Mustang. We stopped in Yosemite and decided to hike up to Vernal and Nevada Falls via the Mist Trail. We made backpacks and put in a few tins of food, our sleeping bags and water. We walked up the misty trail, passed Vernal Falls and found a slope to sleep on. All night long our sleeping bags slipped down the hillside and we listened for bears. I wanted to see the amazing waterfall again, so I hiked the Mist Trail up to the Vernal Falls.
The closer I walked towards the waterfall, sprays of water droplets filled the air and created a beautiful rainbow.
That would be me, at Vernal Falls, loving life even though I am tired from the uphill trail.
Vernal Falls.... a large, spectacular waterfall!
A small waterfall off the beaten path.
The Bennettsville Mine never produced any silver or ore, and the town that had been built around it eventually became a ghost town. After taking some pictures and exploring the area a bit, I looked up and saw the crazy guy.
I got scared as I knew the crazy guy was following me. He was walking really fast as if to catch up with me. I hid behind some bushes and when the coast was clear, I snuck around to the trail and headed down. There were so many rocks to look at that I started lagging behind. Sure enough he came down the trail and stood directly behind me. I didn't panic but just stepped to the side and let him pass. He tried to make conversation but I ignored him. I must admit I was nervous as no-one else was on the trail. He kept walking and after a bit, I cut down the mountain into a campground I had seen. I found the camp host and told him about the guy and how he was following me, and that he was parked right next to my car. The camp host told me he had seen a man sitting in his van that was parked next to mine. By then I was close to crying. The camp host walked me out to my car, and stood behind the van, making sure the guy could not follow me. Thanks to my bodyguard, I was able to safely drive out of the campground and down the hill to my own campground. The crazy guy never found me again. With that I will close and say goodnight. May the Lord watch over you and keep you safe. Susan Little
On the trail up to the Bennettsville Mine, located near the Tioga Road, I was astonished to find so many interesting rocks. I had asked a rather crazy looking fellow to point me to the trailhead, and he proceeded to walk me over there. I thanked him and abruptly moved on, first taking a different route so he couldn't find me. Then I felt foolish, so I started up the regular trail.
