Arriving in California
My eyes are trying to read the words on the pages of my book, yet my mind is distracted with the situation that is my life at the moment. I thought I would feel heavy with the decision I had made a few months prior, and even heavier now that I was on my way to face my parents in the aftermath. With quite a bit of relief, however, I feel light. The burdens of the last six and half years are no longer mine to bear.
The flight is making its final descent into San Jose, California, and despite my uncertainties as to how this reunion with my parents will go, I am anxious to see them. It was their idea, after all, for me to visit. My mother says it will be good to get me "away from the situation". That "situation" just happens to be the failure of my marriage. Jason* and I had exchanged vows just a few short weeks after I graduated from my studies at Winona State University. I had, at the time, felt a strong responsibility as a young adult to marry the man I was planning on moving to another state with. In my mind, it was the proper thing to do. It's not that I wasn't in love with him at the time, no, I wouldn't have moved to another state with him if that were the case. The thing is, we had moved to Colorado one and a half years ago, and in that time Jason had discovered that his "Greater Love" wasn't me, but in fact could easily be found in narcotics and the arms of other women. As Princess Diana famously put it, our marriage was a bit crowded. In any case, I had decided that I deserved better. Don't get me wrong, I grieved for the marriage I thought I may have on the day I wedded Jason, but as soon as the divorce paperwork began, I rediscovered myself, even if I still had a bit of guilt in my heart of the failure of a marriage. It was this guilt that I was carrying with me, that made me uncertain of how things would play out after I got off the plane.
I stand up and grab my camera bag from under the seat in front of me. I've never placed my camera gear in an overhead bin, as the paranoia of someone grabbing the bag as their own and taking off with some of my favorite possessions is too great. I sling the strap over my shoulder, get off the plane, and walk down to the luggage carousel where my checked bag will be waiting for me. I'm standing there, watching suitcase after suitcase pass by, none of which are the maroon suitcase I, ironically, got as a wedding present. Finally, it comes around the carousel, and I grab it and rush out the door to the fresh air outside. I have been texting my parents since the plane landed, but now I send them the text stating the door I am standing in front of so that they can make their way down to pick me up. They have been driving the loop a few times now.
Their blue Toyota Prius pulls up a few minutes later, and before I can even pick up my suitcase my mother is rushing towards me and wraps me up in her arms. All the worries I had about how they would react to my divorce wash away, as I embrace her in return. My dad loads the luggage into the car, and then gives me a quick squeeze. It's going to be okay.
Yosemite National Park
Mom, Dad, and I woke up early this morning in our hotel rooms at Yosemite Miners Inn Motel in Mariposa, California. Excitement builds inside me as I realize we are about to drive in to Yosemite Valley. I have wanted to venture into Yosemite National Park for a long time, ever since I started studying film photography and came across Ansel Adams and his inspiration, John Muir.
I dress myself quickly, brush my teeth, grab my small luggage bag and my camera bag, and rush out the door. It's April, and the crisp air of the morning kisses my cheeks and blesses my lungs. I love these mornings, with the sun coming up over the horizon, the long shadows of its gentle start to the day stretching across the land. The songbirds sing their melodies as I walk down the paved path to the main building of the Motel for breakfast, my parents following my steps along the walkway.
Breakfast is quickly devoured, and the three of us load back into the Prius, to enter Yosemite National Park for my very first time.
El Capitan
My dad drives along the paved road into the entrance of the park. After using my "America the Beautiful" pass to get in, the landscape around us soon opens up into the Valley. I look around for familiar landmarks, only up to this day known to me through photographs in books, and I see El Capitan. El Capitan is one of the most photographed cliff faces on Earth, and is one of the welcoming landmarks when entering Yosemite Park.
I reflect on my knowledge of the landmark. Translated from Spanish, the name means "The Captain". The indigenous peoples also called it "Captain", or Tutokanula. Lafayette Houghton Bunnell, who explored the valley with the Mariposa Battalion, named the rock formation "El Capitan" to honor the indigenous name. This Battalion would be the first group of white settlers to lay eyes on the valley.
I ask my dad to pull over so that I can take a photograph of El Capitan, or Tutokanula ("Tu-tock-ah-new-lah"). The wind whips my hair away from my face as I raise my camera toward the monolith. Being surrounded by nature, the wind in my hair, the sun on my face, holding my camera in my hands, I feel free.

Yosemite Falls
I step back into the vehicle, and my dad gets back on the road, driving us to a parking lot near Yosemite Falls. Yosemite Falls is the most well-known waterfall of Yosemite National Park, hence the name. He parks the car, and the three of us all exit this time, making our way towards the paved pathway that makes its way up to the viewing area for the waterfall. The paved walkway is well maintained, and very wide, allowing for a lot of pedestrian traffic.
Walking towards the waterfall, my dad points at a shorter rock wall and dares me to climb up on it. I give him a side eye, and make my way over to the rock. There's no way I can climb up the front of it, but there are smaller rocks behind it, which I use like natural steps to make my way to the top. I sit there for a few photographs that my parents take of me, and then hop down to continue the walk towards the waterfall. The trees that line the path cast beautiful shadows along the walkway, and frame the waterfall beautifully for photographs. I feel the magic in the air here, the magic that makes me feel connected to Earth. After all, this land is ancient, and has been known and celebrated for its beauty by multiple peoples now.
We arrive at the base of the falls at the viewing point. Yosemite Falls has gorgeous drops, and you can venture further in if you want to see the falls from different angles. There is a bridge that goes over the stream that flows from the falls where you can get an excellent photograph of the last drop in the waterfall. If it's not too crowded, the sound of the water bouncing over the rocks under the bridge combined with the sound of the waterfall creates an environment of tranquility.







Bridalveil Fall
The three of us stroll back to the vehicle, and make our way over to another waterfall - Bridalveil. Bridalveil Fall is across the way from El Capitan and Yosemite Falls.
We park the car in the lot and walk along a path to a platform near the base of Bridalveil Fall. The mist lightly covers us, its waters embracing us and cooling our skin to the point of getting goose bumps (or people bumps, if you're a goose).
It's interesting how the coloring of the atmosphere changes when you're in the mist. All of a sudden the world becomes more purple-blue, and the mist rises all around you, transporting you. It's very surreal to stand there.







What a Wonderful World
Despite the fact that we only stopped to see three main sites, the day has now passed into the afternoon light. We get back into the Prius to head back to Campbell, California. I am truly blessed to be able to visit such spiritual and beautiful lands. Yosemite is home to so many beautiful sights. Looking through the photos below, I remember how humbled I felt standing amongst the tall cliff faces with the trees and open meadow spaces surrounding me.
It's truly a magical experience, and if you're lucky enough to ever visit Yosemite, please take the time to enjoy yourself.






*Jason's name has been changed for their safety and privacy.