A moment of Beauty

Just three and a half hours from Sacramento, California, lies Yosemite National Park. How could one be so close and not go exploring?


I just took this photograph of Yosemite Falls. Unusually high snow pack in the Sierra this spring led to flooding. This kept me from some parts of the park, but it was worth it! 


All the falls: this, Bridalveil, Vernal, rushed over the cliffs with incredible force, feeding the Merced River. Overflowing its banks, it covered  this meadow, and allowed the reflection that caught my eye. 


Floods may come, but I never would have seen this sight without them. 


Travel hint: If you visit Yosemite and want to stay inside the park, be sure to plan reservations for Yosemite accomodations early. And no matter where you stay, DO NOT LEAVE FOOD OR FOOD-SCENTED ITEMS IN YOUR CAR! On my last trip I came down from hiking the Yosemite Falls trail just in time to see a man sadly talking to someone (his insurance agent?) by cell phone, explaining that his car’s back window had been smashed in by a bear. “…and slobber, and the smell…” was all I heard as I walked past him and his ruined vehicle.