Yo-ze-might

We left June Lake and headed into Yosemite National Park on highway 120. There we learned that the natural wonders of Yosemite were not, in fact, formed by the process of erosion; rather, it was formed when two bear cubs fell asleep on a rock which grew really big. The geologists were flabbergasted.

There are really no jokes to be made about Yosemite -- it's spectacular. (Actually, we can make jokes about the German men hiking in capri pants and black socks, with American flag bandanas tied festively 'round their necks, but we won't.) Among the many wonders we saw in Yosemite are Bridalveil Falls, Yosemite Falls (Lower and Upper), El Capitan and Half-Dome.


El Capitan is the largest single piece of granite in the world, and it attracts climbers like flies. See if you can spot the climber in this picture. (Hint: look for the tiny speck of red.)


We signed up for a rafting trip down the Merced River, which (Native American folklore aside) is the real force behind all the natural beauty of Yosemite. We drifted lazily down the river, surrounded on all sides by majestic, glacially carved granite peaks and waterfalls, thinking that it couldn't get any better.

That night, we stayed in Curry Village, a camp of permanent tents with wooden floors and two cots. Very cozy. We got up early-ish and took a guided tour of the valley floor, repeatedly getting our minds blown by the scenery until our brains oozed out our ears. One last hike up to Yosemite Falls and a walk through Cook's Meadow where we were nearly carried away by a swarm of mosquitos. And then we bid Yosemite a fond farewell.