Half-way point

Yosemite is absolutely stunning. It is an oasis for hikers, kayakers, climbers, and hang-gliders. However, I imagine it was even better before the miles of pavement crowded with minivans and sports cars. (See the mention of the creation of "National Parking Lots" in Edward Abbey's Desert Solitaire). After hours of driving, a long hike sounded good, but I had to be sure to show up at a campground before dark, hoping there would be a spot for me. I went for a short hike up to the top of Vernal Falls and sat around the Emerald Pool. The valley was carved by glaciers and water still flows through, although not much late in the summer, most is in the spring from snow melt.

I made it to Bridalveil Creek Campground, elevation 7,200, just before dark and set up my tent in the mountain air. I drove out to Glacier Point at the end of the road for an Astronomy talk as stars appeared and listened to a young NPS Ranger as the told myths behind different constellations. Then I hunkered in for a chilly night. And it was COLD. After the sun rose and my things were packed, my car flashed a snowflake next to the number 32.

View of Yosemite Valley (and Half Dome) from Glacier Point after sunrise.

I woke up earlier than I had hoped, due to my frozen nose and toes, but headed back to Glacier Point to view Yosemite Valley- Half Dome and all - in the daylight. Then I hiked to the top of Sentinal Dome (not as impressive as it sounds) where I stood on the top of the granite dome and surveyed the valley below. I then took a stroll on the McGurk Meadow trail where little butterflies flitted from flower to flower. Finally, I walked through Mariposa Grove to see the Fuzzy Giant, Faithful Couple, and other notable Sequoias.

Then onward to Los Angeles- a huge, sprawling city with definite traffic problems. I was overwhelmed, to say the least, by the 12 lane highways and the far reaches of urbanity and suburbia. Perhaps it was a bit of culture shock (that's what I blamed). On Sunday, Zander, his friend Greg, and I went to Corral Canyon Park in Malibu to hike to a little waterfall. It's nice how parks can get you easily away from the crazy city life, but as we rounded a turn on the trail, we could hear traffic from the Pacific Coast Highway.

Los Angeles is a huge city like Yosemite is a huge park, it takes hours to drive across. Since we were by the beach (although it was chilly and getting dark), I insisted in jumping into the Pacific Ocean so we wouldn't have to make the trek again. I ran into the surf, ignoring stares from pant and sweater-clad onlookers, and jumped in the waves. It was cold, but worth it. I hadn't been to the beach for too long.

On Monday we explored the Fashion District where fabric shops line the city blocks with lace, satin, flannel, and fleece. We then wondered around Little Tokyo, into quirky shops, and then had some sushi.

Los Angeles Fashion District

It was hard leaving on Tuesday, since I will be on my own until I visit Anita in Houston on Monday. It was also hard because I was getting tired of worrying about my belongings stuffed in my car, tired of unpacking and packing what I need every day, tired of driving and exploring something new every day. It was difficult to drive away from another friend.

Tuesday I just drove through Joshua Tree National Park, I didn't find the desert as exciting as a giant canyon (now all parks are measured against the Grand Canyon, which is hard to come up against). The Joshua Trees looked like little furry people and I kept driving across the border into Arizona.

Now I am in Tucson, where it was 105+ degrees F today. I walked around historic old town and wandered into artisan shops. Then I wandered around Fourth Avenue, an area of shops and cafes and restaurants near the university. Most of the businesses in this area seem to be locally run by participants in the younger counterculture (their windows are plastered with signs concerning equality and against the 1070 bill). I ate a salad at Shot in the Dark Cafe, which reminded me of Kiva Han in Pittsburgh, and a man tapped me on the shoulder to warn me of the cockroach sitting behind me. I jumped, shooed it away, and then took another bite of my salad (a bit concerned).

I like the tile dome roof on the old Courthouse in Tucson, AZ.

I sit here on a couch in the living room of Tucson's hostel continuing to be weary of my itinerary. I'm seeing a lot of sights, trying to take them all in and wishing someone were here to share them with. I know there is that quote about if you don't like being alone then you are in bad company (roughly), but I have reached the hump in my trip of lonely miles. It is tempting to just drive straight to the Mississippi Gulf Coast, but that would be seen as a failure. I am doing this now because I might not have another chance. I am doing this now because I am at a thoughtful crossroads and hope to figure out what is meant for me in this life. We'll see what happens.