Yosemite Valley

We woke up bright and early to begin our first day at Yosemite.  A tour guide would be taking us to Yosemite Valley with four other passengers--an older couple and a mother with her son.  Our guide told us that Yosemite Valley is the most popular part of the park with nearly 4 million visitors each year.  Luckily, our early June travels combined with having a tour guide that's familiar with the park, helped us explore the valley without the large crowds or long lines of cars.  In fact, many times, he took us to less explored places, which made us feel as if we had the park all to ourselves.

I'm not sure where to begin except to show pictures.  The Grand Canyon was AMAZING because of  the enormity of the canyon itself with its layers of rock "revealing millions of years of geological history" (Grand Canyon National Park Service Website).  Yosemite was different because of its variety--there were mountains, falls, valleys, rivers, snow-melt lakes, and giant sequoias.  Each site was different and BEAUTIFUL.  We never knew what was next, but they saved, perhaps, the most majestic for last--the giant sequoias or redwoods.

The "Tunnel View" of Yosemite Valley.

Bridalveil Falls

El Capitan - One of the most famous granite rocks in Yosemite (approx. 114 milllion years old).
Many rock climbers come to El Capitan.  From our view, the climbers were little black dots you
could only see with binoculars.

Yosemite Valley Chapel--the oldest building in Yosemite National Park--is listed on the National Register
of Historic Places and is still a popular destination for weekly worship services and weddings.

Yosemite Falls

Hanging out by the Sentinel Meadow, Sentinel Bridge, Yosemite Falls, and the Merced River.

The Merced River

A place for lunch...

Half Dome (about 87 million years old)

The Merced River is so clean and clear (and cold)!

The Ahwahnee Hotel, now called the Majestic Hotel, is on the floor of Yosemite Valley.  It opened in 1927
 and was constructed from steel, stone, concrete, wood, and glass.  It's hosted presidents, kings & queens,
and other nobility in its day. Now it's still a place for the elite, going for $800 per night.     

The "lounge" area inside the hotel.

The dining room...

My favorite part--Giant Sequoias

Lewie walking inside a giant sequoia that fell.

Tree Hugger!

These trees have been around for thousands of years.  (The oldest one known is 3,500 years old.)
There is definitely something magical about these ancient forests.  I want to live here!

Our tour lasted about nine hours.  Lew and Little Lewie went back to the cabin to put on their bathing suites.  I went back to nap.  It was an extraordinary day, and there would still be much more to see!

A National Park Adventure - Yosemite

When I was a teenager, I always dreamt of taking a road trip to see our beautiful National Parks.  When I didn't have a chance to fulfill this dream, I made a promise to myself that I would do it with our family.  Last year, we all went to see the Grand Canyon, which was on top of my "National Park list."  This year, after some research and consideration of finances, we chose to go to Yosemite National Park.  This year's trip wasn't as long as our visit to Arizona and the Grand Canyon, but it was still AMAZING!

As usual, I will have to break up this trip into several different posts as there is just too much to show and explain.  We started with our six-hour plane ride to Sacramento, California and then traveled another three hours to Groveland, California to stay at the Evergreen Lodge, which was just outside of Yosemite.  The three hour drive wasn't at all what I expected.  The first hour was highway, but shortly after, we drove through farms, rolling hills, and then along the ledge of a windy mountain that climbed up further and further (CA Hwy 120).  Before long, we were 8,000 feet above sea level and still climbing.  My fear of heights set in, and I literally felt as if I held my breath for the rest of the drive to the lodge.  

Once we arrived, there was no time to waste.  I had signed us up for a happy hour sunset tour of Yosemite, which was to depart 30 minutes after our arrival.  We quickly went to our cabin, set down our luggage, and dressed ourselves in preparation of the tour, knowing we probably needed warm clothes and bug repellent.

Once the van departed, we found ourselves with the tour guide and two other couples--one older (probably in their 60's) and one younger (probably in their late 20's or early 30's).  Lew and I instantly had this strange feeling.  The younger couple was an example of who we were about ten years ago (before we had Little Lewie).  The older couple was an example of who we would be in another 10 to 20 years when Little Lewie would be an adult.  I suppose we should be happy with our age at this moment, but I did find myself slightly missing the young us from ten years ago....

The sunset behind Yosemite's mountains was beautiful, and we had good food (cheese, fruit, crackers, & wine) and good company.  We noticed right away that many of the trees around us were black and charred--this was due to one of California's largest wildfires in 2013.  While I expected the guide to tell us the fire was "bad"--he unexpectedly told us it was good.  Forest fires (as long as they are contained) are good and actually necessary for the environment to grow and replenish itself.  The Evergreen Lodge, back in 2013, actually survived the fire, as firefighters were allowed to move in and use it as their home base to combat the blaze.

Once the sun set, we were back to our cabin at the Evergreen Lodge where Lew and Lewie decided to get into their swimsuits for a quick dip in the pool.  I rested knowing we were about to hit the trails of Yosemite Valley the very next day.   (There were five more adventures ahead.)

Our cabin at the Evergreen Lodge

The pool before sunset.

Lewie's First Communion

The weekend before the tornado, Mother's Day Weekend to be exact, Lewie made his First Holy Communion.  This was a special day for us because it helped solidify his initiation into the Catholic Church, and he made his First Communion in the very same church that I did (thirty-six years ago).

Over the years, I've watched friends and family members stop going to church.  Even more, many of Lewie's classmates and friends are growing up without practicing any type of religion.  While I have been known to miss a few Sunday masses myself, I have continued to be an active member of our church because 1) it makes me feel part of a long-time family tradition, 2) it reminds me to follow the Ten Commandments, especially the most important rule of all: "to love thy neighbor," and 3) it keeps me spiritually connected and grounded.

Lewie and I have a routine every night.  Before we go to bed, we say one thing we're thankful for and we say a few prayers.  Sometimes we pray for sick relatives, sometimes we pray for safety, and sometimes we pray for larger global concerns.  Lewie has learned that God is not Amazon; we can't pray for something and expect it to arrive in a neat little package the next day.  However, he is learning that when life is difficult or scary, God is there to help us.  Rather than be fearful, I remind Little Lewie about the power of  Faith, Hope, and Love.  I remind him what it means to be a good person, and I show him how praying with intention (from the heart) can mean everything.

A highlight from Lewie's First Holy Communion was that he was asked to read the Responsorial Psalm, "I am the Bread of Life."  As he read, he was taught how to put his hand in the air to show the audience when it was time for us to speak.  He did such a great job that everyone, even the deacon, told him that he was "hired" to become a reader.  His response to everyone was the same: "I get the reading gene from my mom."  The reality is that I've personally been reading for St. Michael's Church since I was fourteen years old.  I was asked to read for my Confirmation, and then I was "hired" to read ever since.

Little Lewie standing with little cousin, Crystal.

Other highlights were watching the children bring "gifts" to the priest and seeing them make a circle on the altar to say the "Our Father."  In my mind, the ceremony had more meaning and more symbolism than what I remembered from my First Holy Communion.  It was refreshing to see how over the years, the Church has changed from a "fire and brimstone" mentality to one of more inclusion, love, and compassion.

At the end of the ceremony, we had some treats downstairs in the church basement and then took a few pictures.  Then, less than an hour later, we drove to a restaurant to celebrate with family.  We had a small celebration with less than 20 family members, but it was a nice moment.  We had good company, good food, and a good reason to celebrate. It was a proud moment of honoring tradition while teaching Lewie the importance of practicing faith, love, and compassion.

My mom with Little Lewie

Our proud moment at the restaurant.

Little Lewie and his three cousins, Sarah, Brooklynn, and Lily

Little Lewie and Aunty Missy

Little Lewie and "Ninny"

God Bless You, Little Lewie.