Days 1 and 2

A first glance at Yosemite’s beauty and a hike through the valley

The Merced River shaded by trees in the mid-day sun
Photo by Ashley Bowerman

By Ashley Bowerman
Atb63@txstate.edu

Miles traveled: 1,663

Time: 28 hours

Work produced: 2 interviews, 30 pictures, 12 videos, Instagram photo, Instagram story

Fun fact: Yosemite National Park is the only national park to have a dam, called the Hetch Hetchy Dam.

Me posing on a rock by the Merced River
Photo by Kamryn Allen 

The start to my study in America adventure was a little rough after I neglected to arrive at the San Antonio airport early enough to beat the lines. My neatly packaged suitcase was unable to board the plane to Phoenix. Everything I could bring was shoved into my two carry-on bags. I learned in this moment that things are just things. It is important to deal with a situation in the moment the best you can and adjust later. What was most important was that my body made it on the plane! Thankfully, the trip got much better from here.

We made it! 
We landed in the Fresno airport around 9 a.m and shortly after headed for Yosemite. The car ride through the Sierra Nevada mountains was gorgeous. As soon as we spotted the rapidly flowing Merced River, we rubbernecked so far out the windows I think we made imprints on the glass of the van. We, of course, stopped to take a picture with the river before entering into the park. The remainder of the drive was spent staring out of the car windows like kids in a candy shop. We knew this week was going to be an adventure of a lifetime.

Getting settled 
Our first day consisted of getting acquainted with the park and its surroundings. After we unloaded our belongings in the Half Dome Village tent cabins, we spent the remainder of the day getting to know Yosemite.  We took the shuttle for the first time, talked with the tourists, and tried to find some sources we could talk to for our stories. A big part of getting acquainted was the realization that we would be without Wi-Fi or internet for the next week. This meant that a phone home might consist of using a payphone for the first time. Let’s just say, it didn’t go too well. It ate my dollar. Fortunately, I was able to find a signal and tell my mom I made it to Yosemite safely just a few steps away. Another lesson learned, I am a total millennial!

A hike through the valley 
The following morning was spent being immersed in the beauty of the Yosemite Valley. Our tour guide, Kaleb Goff, informed the class about information regarding the history, laws, and even the mission statement of the National Park Service. We walked through the meadows and felt the cold water beneath the marsh. We hiked through the pine trees and under the ginormous granite rocks along the trail. The entire class in awe of the surrounds. Thousand-foot mountains stood like billboards around us, and the birds chirped in the trees. We took more pictures than I think we wanted, but it was in an effort to capture the amazing wilderness that we were immersed in.

The thousand-foot mountains that peaked behind the trees on the hike
Photo by Ashley Bowerman 

We have only been in the park for close to 28 hours, yet already feel like one with nature. The knowledge we gained on the trail, and the picturesque views we have seen so far will be etched in our minds for years to come. I still can’t believe I was given the opportunity to have Yosemite National Park as my classroom for the week. I am looking forward to the days ahead!

Day 1 and 2

From here to there with 15 people
By Allison Jones
atj21@txstate.edu

Miles traveled: 1,657
Time: 28 hours
Work produced: 1 Instagram post, 10 Instagram stories and 65 photos
Best snack: Nature valley granola bars

A day full of travel can be exciting, eventful and even a little confusing. Now try traveling with a group of 15.

Our day started bright and early when our flight left from Austin at 6:25am. After a connection in Phoenix, our group landed in Fresno right around 9am. Our professors, Dale and Jessica, left to grab our rental cars and from there we headed out of Fresno. 15 people, one van and one S.U.V. were finding their way to Yosemite!

We began our drive to Yosemite on a crowded California freeway, and quickly entered the steep mountains filled with curvy roads and quick turns. Luckily - no one got sick. After an hour and a half in the car, we stopped in a town called Mariposa for lunch. This wasn't just any city with small-town charm. This little mountain town came equip with great food, gas stations and incredible views. This was exactly what we needed to see before heading deeper into the Sierra Nevadas.

Once we finished lunch, it took another hour and a half to get to the Yosemite Valley - our home for the next five days. We parked our cars and all got out to take in the beauty of what we were looking at. It was silent. Sheer silence. With only the noise of fellow visitors and the sounds of nature, we started to take in the fact that we were officially in Yosemite.

The first view of Yosemite
Photo by Allison Jones

When you're in the valley, everywhere you look is a new sight to see. Whether you choose to look up, down or side-to-side, you'll be in awe of what is around you. Personally, it amazed me to see the beauty of Half Dome. No photographs will ever do it justice - you have to see this incredible sight in person. At night, while the sun is starting to set, Half Dome reflects all of the light that is shined onto it. It changes almost minute by minute at this point, from shades of yellow and gold to orange and pink. And lucky for us, we're staying in Half Dome village throughout the trip. So we have the best seat in the park.

As we continue to watch Half Dome's surface change in light each day and night, we get eager to begin our challenges for the next day. Here's to day 3!

Day 2: First Hike in Yosemite

Hike with Kaleb Goff

By: Bailey Brown
Bmb153@txstate.edu

Steps Traveled: 8,798

Hike time: 5 hours and 20 minutes

Work Produced: 25 photos and 5 videos

Fun Fact: When the Europeans traveled to the meadows in Yosemite they planted apple trees to produce alcohol. After they enjoyed their crab apple cocktails and time went on, the apples from the trees had to be removed because bears were climbing up the trees and creating chaos for travelers.

The Perfect Hiking Guide


Walking among the trees, hearing the chirping birds, and smelling the fresh air, is the only way to start the day in Yosemite National Park. With 2.7 miles ahead of us, we had a wonderful tour guide on our way around Half Dome Village. Mr. Kaleb Goff, a Yosemite Conservation Naturalist, greeted us with a smile and encouraging words. When asked about why he works in Yosemite, he gave a subtle yet direct response, "To save the world." This personal philosophy are words everyone should try to live by. His answers to our questions were honest and to the point. He never sounded boastful or judgmental. He gave us things to think about that stuck with us long after we finished the hike.

Kaleb Goff standing in front of a Sequoia Tree

Things to Think About 

Finally taking my last sip of water I had, the hike came to an end. Mr. Goff concluded with reading an excerpt from "The Hour of Land" by Terry Tempest Williams. He started the hike with the reminder that it is important to think about how to act in the park, the footprints we leave behind, and what we can take away from this experience and bring back home. The hike today wasn't about following a trail or trying not to get sunburned, it was about living in the moment. Mr. Goff had us close our eyes and just listen to the sounds around us, the swaying trees, the chirping birds, and the rushing water. Returning to camp and hearing all of the noise in the dining hall and around the cabins, was disheartening. However, it was comforting to know how to respect the quiet space and appreciate the silence among the trees.

Day 1 & 2: Arriving in Yosemite

Day 1 & 2 

Arriving in Yosemite 

by Kaylee Smith
kas294@txstate.edu

Best Snack: Taco Deli breakfast taco
Miles Walked: Not enough (thanks to traveling)

Growing up, there are two national parks that everyone knows, Yosemite and Yellowstone. We are told of their beauty and extravagance through history, photographs and the media. In the 21 years of information I was given prior to my arrival in Yosemite National Park, it is easy to say that no photograph, history lesson or documentary id equivalent to the experience of seeing the park for the first time with your own eyes.

After roughly 12 hours of travel,

View of Yosemite Falls out the car window on our drive in.

we finally arrived in the Disney World of national parks. Although I was fully aware of Yosemite Valley's fame, I had not anticipated the sheer volume of tourists that would be joining us in the park.

We stepped out of the van to join the other hundreds of wide-eyed and amazed park visitors. In conjunction with everyone's pure awe, quickly followed an overwhelming feeling. Once we realized the park's size, my classmate Mike Garcia said it best, "this makes you realize how small we are." It became official, SJMC Parks had arrived in Yosemite National Park.

We all quickly set off to get our barrings on our classroom for the week. We discovered the location of the bathrooms, food and even how the free shuttle system worked. Having no idea what we were doing, we got on the first bus stop we saw. 20 minutes later we quickly realized we had messed up somewhere. In the extra time we had on the bus we decided to make the most of it and strike up a conversation with other shuttle riders.

The woman we began talking to on the bus ended up being from Houston, TX and was beginning her backpacking adventure along John Muir trail in the upcoming week. She provided us with information that we would be able to use for the days to come.

It is already evident, whether indigenous or visiting, the people of Yosemite Valley have a story tell and we cannot wait to share that story with the rest of the world.

Days 1 - 2: Ain’t no mountain high enough!

This doesn't look like Texas!
Photo by Michael Garcia

Days: 1-2

Steps Taken: 26,368

Miles Traveled: 1,663

Location: Yosemite National Park

Fun Fact: First class has a see through curtain so you can see how poor you really are.

He Will Go All The Way!
After a long journey, the gang arrive to Yosemite.The day started at 2 AM for me. I like to wait till the last minute to clean up before a trip. Sam picked me up around 5 AM. We made it to the airport with no problem. That didn't make Dale feel anymore calm. Organizing a trip like this can be stressful, and he sure showed how stressed he was. While on the plane I noticed that first class had a see through curtain, where my mind didn't have to wonder about what it's like on the other side. I always thought that first cla
ss would have people eating steaks and smoking cigars, where the cigar smoke would travel to the closest poor person's face. I watch too many movies. We landed in Fresno around noon. Other than Yosemite, Fresno can be know for it's gang activity. We then loaded up in a van and sat for 2 more hours till we arrived in paradise. We were 13 deep in one van, while JJ (which is what I call Professor James) Sam, and Tony loaded into an SUV. We stopped for food and were on our way.
The Gang gets lost
We continued to stay up for 17 hours the rest of the day. But tiredness didn’t stop Jake, Kendal and I from exploring the park. 45 minutes on a bus later, we ended up on the right track. 

We couldn’t make progress with the beauty that surrounded us. Jake couldn’t help but hug every tree that we passed, but that’s ok. That’s part of the experience. We didn’t come all the way to Yosemite to not take everything in. We found this one spot near Swinging Bridge where we took some nice photos of one another. The original plan was to find a beach. We were not successful. But, we weren't really trying to succeed in the first place. Getting lost in nature isn't necessarily a bad thing, especially with the waterfalls in Yosemite singing to us along the way. 
Settle down

It was nice waking up to this view every morning
Photo by Michael Garcia

We got the true experience of being out in nature. When we discovered that we had no signal, we realized that this could prove to be an obstacle. It forced us to get to know each other. We stayed in Half Dome Village in what looked like bunkers. I roomed with Jake and Sam, who are fine lads. The greatest thing that the came out of the signal situation is getting to know these gentleman. I would say we had a successful first day.

In Kaleb We Trust

The name is Kaleb Goff
Photo by Michael Garcia

We started the second day bright and early. We got to pick Jessica’s head about journalism and how to get better at the trade. After a nice cup of chai latte in 47 degree weather, we met with Yosemite Conservancy Naturalist Kaleb Goff. Most workers you meet do not have the same passion that Goff had about Yosemite. Goff took us around the park and officially became my hero. Most would call him a nerd. But,  Kaleb was much more than that. He took us around the park and talked about how important the park is and what it means to him. You should leave no trace. That is one of the principles that stuck with me. We are constantly going through life trying to leave a footprint in this world. We never appreciate the moment and the moments that pass. I get too philosophical.

We are in for a long ride.