Hiking through Yosemite reinvigorated my love of camping

 

Half Dome towers over the Yosemite Valley in Northern California. Lauren J. Mapp

Hours after attending our first wedding together in July 2015, Peter and I drove up to Yosemite for a week of camping under the stars.

Only weeks into our relationship at the time, this road trip was our first trip together and the first time I had ever been camping in California. 

Although I had enjoyed many hikes during my decade of living in San Diego at that point, I hadn't ever had the time or money to invest in camping gear since moving from New England. I was afraid this would be a make or break moment for us as Peter was a well-seasoned camper, but it really illustrated how seamlessly we and our travel styles meshed together as a couple.

This visit to Yosemite resparked my love of camping and is one of my favorite memories of the early days of our relationship. 

Moss trails down the branch of a tree.

A moment of rest at Vernal Fall after 1,000 feet of elevation gain
during our hike.

Viewing the Yosemite Royal Arches from high above the valley.

Water streams down the Lower Yosemite Falls.

A deer nibbles on grass in a meadow in the Yosemite Valley.

A stone wall covered with moss.

Half dome.

The exposed roots of a fallen tree near the Lower Yosemite Falls.

Clouds loom over the Yosemite just before rain begins to fall over the valley, and hail drops in the mountains.

After hiking in the Yosemite Valley all day, we returned to a hail covered
campsite on the last night of our trip.
More clouds over the valley.

All photos by Lauren J. Mapp

Comments

Popular Posts

Labels

Show more

Donate

Like the content that you see in my blog posts? Donate now through PayPal to help fund more writing projects, recipes, adventures and blog content.











Total Pageviews