Post by Valentine on Aug 31, 2006 0:33:21 GMT -5
Living in Southern California can sometimes make us forget about the natural wonders that this state has to offer and to see it in all its glory (and peak) would be to visit the Yosemite National Park. I've been there before when I was a little Vally but visiting again, years later was almost like entering a different realm altogether.
Green is simply not a color I am used to so when I saw this place was chalk full of (living!) trees, that alone took my breath away. Rolling hills, robed in layers of crisp fresh grass, bodies of clear blue water that were flesh piercingly cold, and great open sky, fluffed with white feather pillows floating about. Trust me, the air in Yosemite is so amazingly sweet you'll get a toothache!
Riding down the roads that twist inbetween the forests, the family and I had "Hotel California" on repeat, playing on the stereo. That song being accompanied by the scenery in Yosemite was too much. I remember I had a huge smile on my geeked out face the entire time.
You could make a stop almost anywhere and find ourself completely lost in the scene. The moment you step onto the grass...it's almost as if you have been transported to a different world. Extreme serenity (there's a nice oxymoron for ya!) is the best way I could describe it. I wanted to see the entire park but everywhere I went, I just had to lie down on the grass. It was so soft and gentle...if I wasn't so excited to be there, I could have easily fallen asleep.
The place hits all five senses rather effectively. The smell of the trees, fresh water, and grass had me taking deep breaths every two minutes or so. I wanted to capture the essence of Yosemite into my lungs and keep it there. The touch of nature and it's purity almost made my hands tremble. The sound of running water and the leaves rustling in the warm breeze were magnificently symphonic as the earth made its music. It sounds silly to say but if you were to open your mouth, you could almost taste the sun and the air as it caressed your tongue. And finally...the sight. I think I've said enough about this sense to not have to repeat how awe inspiring it is.
If you've never been to California, I reccommend you visit SoCal first, soak in the beaches, piers, and markets; take a picture over at Hollywood; make a trip over to the Happiest Place on Earth and buy yourself some mouse ears; find an In-N-Out fast food place and order their number one with a strawberry milkshake; take in all other "city" features and before you leave back home...make a trip up north to Yosemite Park. That would be the perfect ending to your visit to California. (Disclaimer: SanFran is a great visit and also the vineyards...Sorry for the short nod to Northern Cali...don't know many details there)
Green is simply not a color I am used to so when I saw this place was chalk full of (living!) trees, that alone took my breath away. Rolling hills, robed in layers of crisp fresh grass, bodies of clear blue water that were flesh piercingly cold, and great open sky, fluffed with white feather pillows floating about. Trust me, the air in Yosemite is so amazingly sweet you'll get a toothache!
Riding down the roads that twist inbetween the forests, the family and I had "Hotel California" on repeat, playing on the stereo. That song being accompanied by the scenery in Yosemite was too much. I remember I had a huge smile on my geeked out face the entire time.
You could make a stop almost anywhere and find ourself completely lost in the scene. The moment you step onto the grass...it's almost as if you have been transported to a different world. Extreme serenity (there's a nice oxymoron for ya!) is the best way I could describe it. I wanted to see the entire park but everywhere I went, I just had to lie down on the grass. It was so soft and gentle...if I wasn't so excited to be there, I could have easily fallen asleep.
The place hits all five senses rather effectively. The smell of the trees, fresh water, and grass had me taking deep breaths every two minutes or so. I wanted to capture the essence of Yosemite into my lungs and keep it there. The touch of nature and it's purity almost made my hands tremble. The sound of running water and the leaves rustling in the warm breeze were magnificently symphonic as the earth made its music. It sounds silly to say but if you were to open your mouth, you could almost taste the sun and the air as it caressed your tongue. And finally...the sight. I think I've said enough about this sense to not have to repeat how awe inspiring it is.
If you've never been to California, I reccommend you visit SoCal first, soak in the beaches, piers, and markets; take a picture over at Hollywood; make a trip over to the Happiest Place on Earth and buy yourself some mouse ears; find an In-N-Out fast food place and order their number one with a strawberry milkshake; take in all other "city" features and before you leave back home...make a trip up north to Yosemite Park. That would be the perfect ending to your visit to California. (Disclaimer: SanFran is a great visit and also the vineyards...Sorry for the short nod to Northern Cali...don't know many details there)