Day Three

Another bright blue sunny day, smelling a bit of cold granite and high country snow, but also feeling like the darkness of fall and the promise of spring all mixed together.  We hiked in the Valley today, since ski conditions weren’t going to be any better up top than yesterday. There was a rainbow at the base of Yosemite Falls, and a pair of ravens hoping for part of our lunch. Such beautiful birds! And they just look so smart. And they are smart. I don’t think I’ve ever seen one so close. As with raptors, I have an urge to hold one of these solid creatures, imagine burying my face in its warm feathers. Relax, it will never ever happen.  For one thing just look at that beak!

We had quite a wander, sitting for awhile by the Ahwahnee meadow, then walking to familiar campgrounds that suddenly didn’t look so familiar. They are removing dead, diseased and fallen trees by the ton, views are opening up (not necessarily a good thing), and some campsites look like they might not make it through the restoration. There’s a lot more work to be done before the April deadline. 

And all day we are under the watchful eye of Half Dome, catching glimpses of snow on the high peaks, hearing the cries of hawks circling above. This is a magical and holy place and I’m grateful we are able to visit a few times a year.