We are mixed with emotion tonight. Most of this entire journey has been planned around, and culminated with, our visit to Yosemite. We spent out fourth and final day in the park today, and it was another spectacular one. But as we sit here tonight, we both feel somewhat hesitant to leave behind this new friend.
We had a great, somewhat lazy, morning at Wawona Campground. While our site was not quite level (far from it, actually) the view was top notch. We were treated by the sounds of a branch of the Merced river as we took a final morning stroll around the campground. Mostly, I wanted to see if the site I had booked for our canceled night there was as good as I thought when I researched last year. Turns out, it was. Next time I know what site to book!
Both of us were feeling a bit stiff after our long day hiking yesterday, so we decided on a less strenuous 4 mile hike around a meadow near Wawona Lodge. The hike circumnavigated a meadow full or grass, brush, and trees, as well as a couple of holes of a golf course in the midst of rejuvenation. It was a perfectly lovely hike!
The hike ended at the Wawona Lodge, which is a gorgeous turn-of-the-century hotel with wide lanais, white cedar siding, and shake roofs. There was some renovation ongoing, but the property looked to be in excellent condition and quite a lovely place to stay.
The hotel property also included a cute Yosemite gift shop and art gallery. We ended up buying a National Parks version of Yahtzee which we will keep in the RV. We also found another Christmas ornament we wanted for our tree. For those who do not know, we have been buying ornaments from each of our trips since we’ve met. Needless to say, our small tree is filling up fast!
After the hike, we made the decision to head back to Indian Flat for our last night camping near Yosemite. We did one more loop around the valley road on our way out, just let let the memories sink in. We know we’ll come back here someday, but neither of us really wanted it to end. The majesty of Yosemite is intoxicating and addicting in the best possible way.
There was a melancholy as we settled in tonight. We are on day 30 of this magnificent trip. We have seen incredible things and still have more to go over the next 10 days. But somehow, we are a bit sad to leave Yosemite. We hope to see the sheer walls, towering Sequoia, and glistening waterfalls again. We hope to take that now-familiar loop around the valley. We hope to camp again near the Merced, falling asleep to the sound of rushing water. But there are no guarantees in life. And if we never make it back, these four days will live in our minds and hearts forever.
“The mountains are calling, and I must go.” ~John Muir
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