Have I mentioned that I LOVE being out in the wilderness? Love, love, love it! I hadn't been up to the High Sierra for a couple of summers due to work & school obligations, but I think my absence made me appreciate it all the more. I had started taking my nephew up to Yosemite when he was only 13 on his first backpacking trip. He just turned 18 & this is our 4th trip together. I was surprised when I saw this pic at how much shorter I've become, ha ha! I was also happy to let him carry more of the gear this time around!
:)
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| Cody & I @ Tuolumne Meadows~ Yosemite National Park |
Our hike began in Toulumne Meadows~ this is the trail going up Lyell Canyon. Just gorgeous, isn't it? The sunshine, blue skies, clean air and the smell of forest were just amazing & I think I had an ear-to-ear grin all day!
We saw plenty of deer, though they weren't interested in turning around for a photo- op!
Though I've hiked this trail many times, the beauty never ceases to amaze me. They had an enormous amount of snow this year, & the lakes, streams & rivers were full.
Sitting & soaking in the view at my favorite secret swimming hole along the Tuolumne River.
That's me making a splash! I had to jump in twice before getting my nephew to jump in the icy waters...
I thought this shot of him going in was a classic.
Farther along on our hike... enjoying views of the forest, meadows & high peaks.
Ha ha ha... I thought I'd put this in for a chuckle. It's me trying to fit all our food in the bear canister, which was a challenge. (The bears will get your food if you try to hang it & it would just be stupid to keep it in your tent, though I've heard people do. Bear canisters are actually mandatory while backpacking in Yosemite.) The mosquitos were so bad in the evening at our first camp, that I donned my rain jacket & tried to keep as much of my face & head covered as I could! (I hate to use that toxic mosquito repellant!)
While we didn't see or hear bears in our camp, there was evidence that they were there when we woke the next morning. The bear can was not in the precise location that I had left it... and the gashes at the top of the can were where he apparently tried to take a bite out of it, which I had never had happen before. Though so far, I have not heard of them being able to break into these cans.
My nephew in "the kitchen." Not a bad place to start the day!
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| Wilderness Coffee Shop |
And what better way to start the day than a delicious cup 'o joe! I don't really go for that instant stuff~ I brought coffee from one of my favorite independent coffee house in Taos, NM! It's a great way to start the day & get ready for the next leg of the journey.
Stay tuned for Part two... coming soon!
:)
12 comments:
Becky, I loved hiking this glorious alpine trail with you. (But - maybe I wouldn't have made a splash in that secret swimming hole - brrrrrr.) Loved seeing you all bundled up to try and foil the mosquitoes. I've encountered a few, too, but haven't gotten bitten. My husband seems to attract them, so he's my repellant! Glad you're having a good vacation.
Fabulous! I love Yosemite. Have you ever heard of a moon-bow? with the waterfall mist and the moon light they are getting rainbows at night. The river is awesome! I've been swimming in Tahoe this summer, so I know all about that cold shock :) Have fun, be safe!
That river! I don't think I've ever seen anything so beautiful. Love those colors. Wonderful jumping-in shots, too.
Oh, my, I am so water deprived! That beautiful, beautiful water...
That water is so unbelievably beautiful. I am with Barb though, I don't think I could dip more than a toe.
Looking forward to Part Two.
You look so in your natural element....sitting & soaking in the view at your favorite secret swimming hole. You certainly had beautiful cool looking water to jump in. Surely no bear would give Becky the Bear Sculpturess a hard time!
I love that area. My mom lives in Merced which is about 70 miles north of there. Looks like you both are having a great time. The weather has been warm here with a few storms in the afternoon/evening. The air quality is back to our normal beautiful skies.
this was pure pleasure going along with you on the trail. wow, that water is so clear and beautiful too. the bear can is new to me, but I don't go hiking where there are bears! that's my loss. it's only because of where I live. had I access to the area you were at, I'd be on it, believe me. I would love to get to N.M. this fall. I usually go in August for the lightening, and stay at a round house outside of Abiquiu. I love it there - a view of Pedernal and complete isolation! it's centrally located for all the places I like to go - Taos for art, Santa Fe for groceries, and ghost ranch/Plaza Blanca etc. for hiking. those spots are probably considered the places that visitors go to hike, and not the locals! I know how that goes. but I'm familiar with that area and love it. if I make it there I will most definitely let you know. I consider you a "bud". take good care Becky.
Becky, that was so much fun, I only wish I could have joined you in the water, it looked so clear and cool. What a beautiful place and a darling nephew, I know how much you adore him. Miss you, but have a wonderful last week in California. xoxo
Fantastic nature. I also could not resist such a way to go. As the water in the river clean. Amazing. On a cold swimming around a lot and it certainly bears fear. Excellent photo. Many greetings! Peter.
Those darn bears are a nuisance, I once traveled through Yosemite on my way to Benton Hot Springs with a girlfriend and a bear broke out the window of her car at night and took all the food out of the ice chest, that was back in the late 1970s, so they've been a problem for years, well trained by humans. Before that I used to travel with my dog in my car and never had a problem, apparently they didn't like the smell of dogs which kept them away.
Your love of the wilderness is apparent in every shot, and you told a terrific story with your photos. The idea of bears in the wilderness frightens me, tho. Your nephew is so lucky to have you as an aunt. What great adventures you are giving him and a terrific gift of love of nature. Carry on!
Becky, I was searching online for other blogger's inputs on Yosemite and I have to say that even though this post is a few years old I enjoyed seeing a fellow blogger/backpacker enjoying the serenity of our great National Parks. Great post! I recently returned from a backpacking trip in the High Sierras as well and although it was September and the snow had long since been gone, I loved the experience of getting out of the city and taking in the true beauty of Yosemite. It was my first trip and I'm already counting down the days until I get to go again.
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