Last November a good friend of mine and I happened to have a few days off at the same time and decided to head out to Yosemite. Neither of us had ever been there before but had always heard its praises. After landing in San Francisco we momentarily re-thought our backpacking plans when a we saw that a storm front had beat us to the Sierra Nevadas, but instead we decided to just buy some gear for the possibility of snow (leaving the tags on, of course, so we could return the items we didn't use!) and headed to the interior.
Even from miles outside the park excitement welled up within us as the distinctive profiles of El Capitan and Half Dome appeared through alpine passes. Fresh snow drifts were evidence of the previous night's snow storm that, to our great surprise, chased almost every other backpacker out of the park for the week. Indeed, after passing the small crowds at the park entrance and a few day hikers on the first day, we did not see another soul for three days. We spent a the first night camping with a spectacular moonlit Half Dome as a backdrop. On the second night we enjoyed the warmth of a bonfire on the icy shore of Merced Lake where we were blessed with a spectacular sunset.
On the final night we again camped with Half Dome keeping watch over us and on the final morning we ascended Half Dome where we sat and took in brilliance as the cool breath of God Himself gently reminded us that we were privileged guests in the house of the Almighty.
href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhciVEAmfFD3ly8NU7n1JAdLy4NKwGACwNq1BJnT6cCVfq_xCWAeAjGl2zqV1Q8DE8WOuFGiZIG7WbXivJKHuRTaiyYwrHtot8xoreQ1VC2ebzqO4ZrFICqsicE7OlZudChE2wyT4K2Ku0/s1600-h/yoclimb.jpg">
As we made our way back into Yosemite Village past the now large crowds enjoying the last 70 degree day of the year I was completely spent. My thighs burned under the weight of my pack with each downward step. I was struck by the life lesson that I was being taught: It is easy to be satisfied in this life with the small delights that are easily obtainable. However we must understand that it is when we choose to walk the difficult road, set ourselves to the hard climb, and endure the cold and sometimes bitter nights that we will find unexpected and incomparable joys that only come from the hand of God.
