Yosemite National Park

Yosemite National Park

Photos and Text by Julianne Bonasera

Everywhere I go, I am amazed by the beauty of California – Lake Tahoe, Muir Woods, the sights of Route 1, Big Sur. etc. But like most explorers will tell you, there is nothing that can compare to the amazing Yosemite National Park. Vernal Falls, Half Dome, Glacier Point, and Tioga Pass are must sees when coming to the valley. The very first time I entered the park I was greeted by a family of deer that were delighted to let me feed them apples and take pictures of them in the meadows under El Capitan. I fell in love right there. There was magic in that valley. Since then its been hard to stay away and I have been back five more times.

The most famous sight in the valley is Half Dome, which is breathtaking any time of the day, but is most magnificent at sunset when the brilliant Alpenglow lights up the sky. The best place to see this is at Glacier Point, which can be driven to by car, or if you’re feeling adventurous, can be reached by foot on the 4-mile trail. Glacier Point offers a view of the entire valley and should definitely not be missed! There are many other trails to experience in the valley, such as Vernal Falls, which offers a nearly constant rainbow that lingers among the mist of the falls. Seeing Vernal Falls is like stepping into a fairy tale, it’s that amazing. I always recommend it to anyone visiting Yosemite.

Whenever I come here I get a chance to re-connect. Cell phone service is nonexistent which reminds us that there is more to life than what we see on our screens. I could sit in those meadows for hours, do absolutely nothing but lay back and stare up at the sky, and be perfectly content with life. Yosemite will remind you that life is an adventure to be had, something to be experienced not just observed. That is the power of Yosemite.

Photos (C) 2015 Julianne Bonasera

Julianne Bonasera moved from Israel to California a year and a half ago and has been discovering the state since.  See more of her photography on her instagram and flickr accounts.