Postcard from Yosemite National Park

Yosemite National Park

Arrived in: Yosemite National Park via a 3.5-hour car ride from my grandma's house in Exeter, CA

My first impression is:  I remember a tiny fraction of the beauty. I was 9 years old when I last visited and can't recall being as amazed or appreciative of its grandeur. 

I'm most excited about: 

• Visiting where my grandma and grandpa lived in the 40's 
• Touring the Ansel Adams Museum 
• Getting up early to take sunrise photos of the valley 

I'm surprised that: it's so warm. It was in the high 60's all day and although some of the leaves are turning, the heat doesn't make it feel like Fall has hit yet.

I learned:

• Before Yosemite became a national park, it was home to the Ahwaneechee Native Americans.  The discovery of gold in 1848 brought thousands of miners to California who staked claims on Native American territory which resulted in years of conflict. 
• In 1903, President Roosevelt spent a few nights in the park camping with John Muir. Muir encouraged Roosevelt to expand protected lands and in 1906, the President signed a law that included Mariposa Grove as part of the National Park. 

The best thing is that: I'm visiting with my mother + grandma who just celebrated her 97th birthday!  I've been asking her a lot of questions, diving into family history and learning what is was like to live here before it became such a popular attraction.