Yosemite Day 1

By Kyndal Goen

Kbg45@txstate.edu

Total Steps Taken: 21,701

Fact of the day: Annually, 7-15 people die each year in the Merced River in Yosemite. Park officials remind visitors to be mindful of dangerous parts of the park and to stay safe!

Getting to Yosemite

Plane wing at 10,000 feet
Photo by Kyndal Goen

Our travel story begins promptly at 4:00 in the morning with just enough time to brew a cup of tea before rushing out the door, suitcase and mug in hand. Jake and I arrive at the airport, clearing security in just around 20 minutes. Somehow, we are not the last ones to join our sleepy, yet excited group. Once we’re all rounded up, we board our 6:25 a.m. flight from Austin to Phoenix, connecting to Fresno. We land in California, finally awake and eager, only to have to wait another hour or so while Dale and Jessica went to retrieve the van. But I found myself loving that small amount of downtime because it gave me a chance to get to know the people I would be sharing close quarters with for a week. Once we got the cars, we started a game of real-life Tetris as we shove all of the suitcases in the back of one of the cars. With the final slam of the trunk door, we started our 2.5-hour drive to Yosemite National Park.

Our first hike through the park

 

Meadow at "The Fern" in Yosemite
Photo by Kyndal Goen

After a night of freezing sleep, the group gathered bright and early to the center of camp to prepare for our first hike through the park we were to call home for the next five days. Our morning stroll was guided by Yosemite Conservancy Naturalist, Kaleb Goff. The group gathered around to listen to our enthusiastic and energetic guide tell us about some of the history behind the park. Diligently taking notes, we set out into the beautiful trail, making stops along the way to observe scenic views and historical markers. Throughout the trail we saw the powerful rapids of the Merced River, the humble community of Ponderosa Pines and the vivid stripes of blue of the Stellar Jay’s feathers. Perhaps the most memorable stop was a meadow called “The Fern”. Our guide directed us all to close our eyes. He asked us simply to listen. He asked, “how many different types of bird calls can you hear? Can you hear the river rushing far in the distance? How about the wind blowing gently through the tree tops?” We all stood there quietly, truly observing and appreciating where we were. We opened our eyes and smiled. This was the reason we were all here. To be able to learn valuable skills in our projected field of profession while in one of the most magnificent places in the world.