Yosemite National Park: Julie Finds Her Inner Mountain Goat

With the end of our trip gradually nearing, and the departure from urban areas continuously progressing, we resumed our ascent into “nature” (i.e. Julie’s definition of any location encompassed by “outsideness”), arriving into one of the most famous, and overly-populated National Parks in America – Yosemite. With an average of 18,000 daily visitors during the month of July, our arrival to Yosemite during peak season seemed less like an adventure into nature, and more like a trip to the largest open-aired theme park in America. Thankfully at this theme park, the majority of “rides” involve an incline hike of 1 mile or greater, leaving approximately 90% of “parking lot tourists” gasping for breath behind (and thus opening up the other 99% of the park to relative isolation and serenity). I leave you with the highlights of our 2-night, 3-day journey:

Preparedly Unprepared – With a 45 minute Target shopping spree providing all the last-minute necessities required for our camping adventure (food, water, stolen ketchup packets from the food court), we were quite confident in the overall preparedness of our expedition. However, upon arrival, we soon learned that our notion of “camping preparation” is quite different than that of the countless RV-driving tourists of America:

- Julie and Mark’s Camping Checklist = 2-person tent, sleeping pads, sleeping bags, Styrofoam cooler and 2 $9.99 camping chairs (considered quite the “indulgence” at the time of purchase)

- Average R.V. Camping Checklist = 8-12 person R.V., 12-16 person meal tent, 8-10 person “other-non-sleeping-non-eating-not-really-sure-its-use” tent, and approximately 3-7 items from EVERY aisle in Target (w/the “floating toy section” receiving an additional 10-15 additional articles)

Thus, while Satellite TV’s and other extravagances were enjoyed by all those around us, we took pleasure in one of the few fire-based meals, with our burgers & steaks putting to shame any of the buckets of Walmart potato salad seen throughout the campground.

Mist Trail Hike (Going Up) – As one of the most famous, as well as notoriously difficult hikes within the park, the 10 mile round-trip journey to the top of Nevada Falls marked Julie’s preliminary introduction into the world of hiking. Now, while we have experienced numerous “nature walks” within the confines of Austin, none encompassed a 1,900 foot gain in elevation, a staircase literally cut into the side of the mountain, as well as multiple jaw-dropping waterfalls (the water fountain at Taco Deli comes just shy of this categorization). Nonetheless, sporting her newly broken-in hiking shoes, a brand new Camelbak (complete with straight-from-the-factory-plastic-flavored water) and a pair of slightly-worn yoga pants (need a little more work on the hiking attire), Julie was ready to partake on the “strenuous-not-to-be-completed-by-beginners” hike to the top. Utilizing the Swahili notion of “pole, pole” (slow, slow), we maintained a gradual and consistent pace all the way up to the 5,900FT summit, leaving other non-Africa-style-hikers in our dust (well, whatever dust can be generated walking at 1.5 MPH). Total journey time = 2 hours, 45 minutes.

Mist Trail Hike (Coming Down) – With a small tree root sending a then, not-as-nimble Julie, flailing to the ground only months prior, I was a bit worried about how she would fare on the 5 mile hike down – Inclusive of countless steps, boulders and skrees (look it up, I’m technical). Yet, all my hesitation was put aside, as I witnessed possibly the most unexpected sight I could have ever imagined: Julie running down the mountain (for those of you who know her, please take a moment to compose yourselves). Apparently concealing an internal mountain goat over the years, I was almost in shock as I watched her hop & trot down the fairly steep and treacherous slope with the utmost of ease. To say the least, I was quite proud. Total journey time = 1 hour, 15 minutes. Next stop: Everest.

Other Highlights –

• Mariposa Grove – Home to endless Giant Sequoias, and countless humans in an upward-staring position
• Yosemite Falls – Tallest waterfall in the US, and the best superlative within the park (thanks to Brett for the verbage)
• Fat Squirrels – Thanks mostly to fat humans and their disregard for signs
• Half Dome – Constantly mocking me in every background image, I will climb you damnit. Yes I will.
• Floating Toys – Did I mention these already? Cause they were everywhere.

Onto the pics:

	Taking a break from our 30th straight game of "Twenty Questions"
	Tunnel View - One of the many shots where we look like we have been photoshopped onto a postcard
	Merced River with Yosemite Falls in the background (for those of you with superhuman vision)
	I'm pretty sure human food has the exact same effect on humans
	Our campsite at North Pines... complete with bear-proof food locker, fire pit and enough room to fit an RV, a trailer and a family of 27 (which are adjoining neighbors took full advantage of)
	Commencing the "strenuous, not for first-timers" Mist Trail hike
	Stairs to the top of Vernal Falls... definitely need to work on perspective in my pictures
	Vernal Falls - Quite Vernally
	Squee-rells
	Approaching the top of Nevada Falls
	Strenuous Hike #1 - Cheeeeck
	Probably my favorite view in Yosemite
	And somebody has found their inner mountain goat
	Julie extremely happy to be done with the hike, rewarding a tree with a solid hug
	"Dirty Leg Warmers" - Hipsters around the world are already taking orders
	View over Yosemite Valley from Glacier Point (this photo is in dire need of some photoshop work -- damn you hazy day!)
	As is this one
	"Grizzly Giant" - One damn big Sequoia tree
	The aftermath of the good ole days where nature could be destroyed in the pursuit of tourism. If only we had Julie's Fiat...
	Me strong