In May, I was able to visit one of my closest friends, Keaton, in Yosemite National Park. I had been to Yosemite once before only very briefly on a motorcycle road trip. Ever since then, I knew I wanted to return. My time spent there did not disappoint. The sky-kissing granite faces and roaring waterfalls were just the tip of the deep iceberg that made this trip incredible.

Yosemite is vast and the wilderness feels endless (once you get away from the crowds). The rocky faces reach to the sky, daring to touch the stars. The power of the Merced River was daunting. The strong water continues to carve the landscape at a pace we can just barely see. And yet in this giant place, there is still space for the delicacy of flowers and the bees that they attract. Room for the moss to soften the rocks and the lichen to clean our air. Space for us to find solace. To remind us what really matters in this life. That we are a part of nature and it a part of us. I spent five days in the valley and didn’t even scratch the surface of the incredible landscapes to witness there. But, I would like to share just a few highlights.

My first hike in the park, and possibly the biggest bang for our buck was OBOFRT, or Old Big Oak Flat Road Trail. This short hike led to incredible views of almost the entire valley! And since this trail is an abandoned road, not a maintained trail, it was virtually empty. Because of the lack of trail maintenance, there were several logs to traverse and even a steady creek to cross, making it a great mini adventure. In my attempt to cross the creek, I fell in thigh deep, leaving my feet soaked for the rest of the hike. But I was in such high spirits, not even soggy socks could get me down! The panoramic shot I got on my phone obviously doesn’t do this view justice. But this short hike to this stunning view of the valley was amazing!

OBOFRT wasn’t the only amazing hike I went on while in Yosemite. Keaton, friends and I also hiked the Mist Trail, which is known for the magical rainbows that fill the air on a sunny day. Unfortunately, there was some cloud cover while we hiked this trail, so we didn’t get any rainbows. But, we did get plenty of mist and TONS of amazing views! It seemed like every turn led to something else that left me in complete awe. From above, dense forest canopy painted the valley a hundred shades of greens. The igneous rocks told a story of the landscape, but still leave a hint of mystery. Geologists aren’t sure what caused these stark peaks to uplift after the lava cooled underground, leaving us to question how and why the majesty of these rocks are here. The winding Mist Trail up to Vernal Falls leaves you soaked, which was welcomed on a hot day.

Since Keaton worked at Yosemite, she was able to show me some hidden gems that are in the less reached areas in and outside of the park. In the town of El Portal, where Keaton’s house sat, was a mystical little swimming hole in Crane Creek – a tributary to the Merced. Tucked away in the forest, this creek with cascading falls felt like something from a fairytale. It’s clean water helping enliven the soul with its icy but welcoming embrace.

I could go on and on about how incredible every part of this trip was. From the views to the hikes to the company. Although I was there for only a short time, we packed a lot in! But, my favorite…and I mean absolute favorite part of the trip had to be swinging from a rope on the face of El Cap. It’s hard to describe how much fun that was. You know those moments where you feel giddy like a little kid again? The moments of joy that sneak up on you when you least expect them? It felt like that. Maybe it’s because swinging on this rope required putting all my trust into an absolute stranger who anchored it. Or maybe it’s simply because it was something new. Whatever it was, it was a reminder that there is still so much in this life to discover.

What a dream it was to visit a special friend in Yosemite. The sunshine and rain, the waterfalls and granite, the giggles and friendship, the swims and the swings – just a few of the highlights of an unforgettable adventure. I feel so lucky to be able to experience and explore the remarkable beauty nature bestows upon us. She gives us more than we know and asks nothing in return. It is our duty to protect her, to continue to preserve these special places – for ourselves and for future generations.

“There can be nothing in the world more beautiful than the Yosemite, the groves of the giant sequoias and redwoods, the Canyon of the Colorado, the Canyon of the Yellowstone, the Three Tetons; and our people should see to it that they are preserved for their children and their children’s children forever, with their majestic beauty all unmarred.”

Teddy Roosevelt