About Yosemite...again

I know I've already posted a ton of pictures from my trip to Yosemite this year.  I haven't had too much leisure time lately, but I did stumble upon some pretty cool things about the park I thought I'd share with this random picture of the Nevada Falls Hike I found on my camera.

Yosemite covers about 1200 square miles of land (~750k acres).  The Gold Rush brought a ton of people to the area causing conflicts with the native Mariposa Indians.  This conflict became known as the Mariposa Indian War (ended 1851).  El Capitan is the largest granite block in the world.  Also, giant sequoia are the oldest trees in the world, some older than 3,000 years!

I actually didn't know most of that before going out to visit.  It's pretty cool stuff!

Yosemite: Hetch Hetchy & Beyond...

Do you see the Rattlesnake?????

The first couple of pictures were taken in Hetch Hetchy in Yosemite National Park.  The rest of the pictures are from vistas overlooking the valley and from the Vernal Falls/Nevada Falls hike on day two.

Since my visit in 2014 (here) a lot has changed in the general landscape of Yosemite.  Namely, as a result of the drought, waterfalls weren't violently flowing, the Merced river was a tiny stream and driving into the valley was very different from the year earlier.  That's not to say that Yosemite is any less beautiful, but the differences were huge.

For anyone that is thinking about going to Yosemite, do it!  You will not be disappointed by how awesome the park is.  There's over 700,000 acres of land to explore and re-explore.  I opted to stay in a hotel outside of the park (which, the closest is about a 2 hour drive from the valley because the park is so huge).  There is organized camping in the valley but I would not suggest it.  Everyone is on top of one another and it smells like a bathroom :)

The best option would be backpacking and camping at your leisure.  There are park rules, so just adhere to them and you should be good.  The only other consideration is wildlife.  We nearly trampled a 4-5 ft. long Rattlesnake at Hetch Hetchy (see above picture).  That was a little scary especially since we were so far from help.

I look forward to going back to the park, but there are so many more in the states to see!  What do you suggest???

Home Again!

I'm back from California and what an adventure it was!  The picture above was taken in Hetch Hetchy in the NW section of Yosemite National Park.

It was another incredible visit to one of the most beautiful places on earth.  Though California is experiencing a very bad drought right now, there is still much to see...and since they're short on water you can always pack beer!

I'll have a whole slew of pictures to come!  Check back soon <3

What to take to Yosemite!

I'm going to Yosemite again!  In anticipation of my visit in August, I put together a little #RoundUp of things I'd like to have with me this time around.  Take a look at my pictures from last year, here!  You may ask, "Why Yosemite, again?"  Well, to be honest, two days in the park last year was not nearly long enough.  There is so much more to see and do!

Left to Right:

Jungmaven Tank Top
Swarovski Binoculars
Ballast Point Sculpin IPA here, here and here (Grapefruit Variety)
Mission Workshop Hauser Hydration Pack 14L
Black+Blum Thermo Pot
Olympus TG 860 Waterproof Camera
Maharishi Bucket Hat in Camo
Persol Sunglasses 9714s
Olight Tactical Flashlight
New Balance Minimus Shoes
Jcrew Chinos in Green
Suunto Core Watch

More #RoundUps

A New Outlook

Yosemite Panorama - Click for full view

There's something about the joy of today and the uncertainty of tomorrow that really puts life decisions in perspective.  My job of 3 years was making me increasingly miserable and something had to give.  Because really, it was just a job, just something I got through each day to make it to the weekend.  I hated it so much I went through phases of depression.  So something did give, I said to hell with this and to hell with putting myself through this all for a paycheck.  I put in my two-week notice and booked my flight for California. The only thing on the agenda was to hike a mountain or two, feel the pacific ocean on my face, and have an In-and-Out burger or 5.

It was simply awe-inspiring to be surrounded by such beautiful nature.  Everything else in life seemed small and meaningless at that moment.  So instead of dwelling on all the bad I left behind, I thought about how free I was from that point forward to pursue what makes me happy and to never allow myself to drown in and put up with BS like that ever again.

My new routine has begun back at home.  A new job and a new outlook on what is to come.  I needed this and I'm grateful for the opportunity.  That's what this picture reminds me of everyday, just how important it is to to never limit yourself and to constantly pursue happiness.

Highlights from Yosemite

16 hours of hiking over 2 days.  Vernal Falls trail and the Glacier Point trail (started in the valley).