I have always been a very outdoor kind of guy. Personally I have always been more of a Ocean kind of fella but, when I met my girlfriend over a year ago, she was very big into National Parks and more of the Mountain scene. Last year, her family took me to Yosemite for the first time. WOW!!! I can’t believe how Beautiful it was! Especially after having been in the car eight hours, it was great to step out and smell the fresh air of our campground. We were only about 50 feet from the Merced River which was GORGEOUS!!! I could have spent the whole trip swimming up and down stream chasing after the trout and exploring the fallen trees. We took bike rides through the meadows, visited Glacier Point and even enjoyed a few night hikes; we saw bears, robins, deer and all kinds of different birds! It was such a wonderful first experience to have shared with her and her family. At the beginning of 2014, we were able to visit Yosemite again with a more winter tone to it. It was so peaceful and quite compared to summertime. We got a chance to see Vernal, Bridalveil and Yosemite Falls. The smells were so Christmas like and I couldn’t get over the difference between the two different times. We even ice skated in the valley (my first time…only fell twice =P). When we all sat outside the lodge (too cold to camp where we did in summer and it was closed off anyway) it felt like I was in a Christmas Card/Winter Wonderland…if I wasn’t really there. Now, all that is left is Fall and Spring time! When asked why I support National Parks, this is what I had to say: They completely give us a breath of fresh air (literally) from everything that goes on in our lives. They help clear our heads, calm our nerves and I believe they give people hope and belief in these crazy times we live it. They make us feel alive and give us the drive of the Frontier/Explorer’s Spirit. Above all else, it’s God’s way of showing His Beauty and presence to us while we are here on earth.
Sincerely,
Yosemite National Park
With its sculpted granite rock formations, towering ancient sequoia trees and spectacular waterfalls, it's no wonder Yosemite is one of the most celebrated national parks in the world.
State(s): California
Established: 1890
National parks represent the best of America. Why do you care about protecting and preserving them? Tell us why parks matter to you!
Success! Thanks for sharing your story with us.
You’ll be notified by email when your story is approved and added to the collection on the My Park Story homepage.
In the meantime, you can share your own story page with your family and friends — and help us spread the word about these priceless memories and priceless places!
Here’s your unique story page link:
{{ storyUrl }}-
Greetings from Yosemite National Park
Snow-capped peaks, alpine lakes, and lush meadows. I was surrounded by these stunning views while hiking Gaylor Peak in Yosemite. The peak is accessible via a relatively short but steep hike, offering an exhilarating challenge for hikers like me who seek panoramic vistas of the Sierra Nevada. Higher up the…
-
Greetings from Yosemite National Park
Entering Yosemite National Park, I looked up through the sunroof to see The Nose, a wall climbing route on the world-famous summit El Capitan, and a path once thought impossible to scale, yet conquered since by a select few individuals. At that moment, I recalled Connor Herson, the youngest person…
Preserve Our Parks
Make a tax-deductible gift today to provide a brighter future for our national parks and the millions of Americans who enjoy them.
Donate Now