Waterfalls and Twirling

It (Yosemite) is by far the grandest of all the special temples of Nature I was ever permitted to enter.

John Muir

Yosemite is my mecca. It never fails to renew me and provide me with insights/new experiences. It was Yosemite which prompted me to start photography and I continue to return regularly to celebrate it's inspiration. Today's trip was to capture a couple of the falls. I'm still not back in shape enough to do very strenuous hikes so I selected Yosemite Falls and Bridal Veil Falls which are simple to reach. Both were incredible with huge flows, but it was Bridal Veil which was my penultimate moment. When I got there I was amazed at how close I was to the base of the falls. I loved the the spray of the water and mist that swirled around, it was like entering a fantasy world. Surprisingly most people spent only 30 or so seconds looking at it and then took off. I was no where near ready to leave so put my camera under wraps (it's not waterproofed) and just looked up absorbing/feeling the experience. After about five minutes of being there, a little girl about 4 or 5 came up with her father. She posed for him for the obligatory picture and then he asked if she was ready to go. "Oh no Daddy, I love this." So saying she lifted her face to the falls and was soon enjoying the same spectacle that I was. She then decided to twirl around to express her joy of being there. She asked her father to join her, but he declined. She looked over at me and said, "Will you twirl with me?" How could I say no. So there we were two individuals twirling together in jubilation of the experience of Bridal Veil. I can't say when I've had more fun. I hiked back to my Jeep wet, dripping, grinning and full of life.

TLC, "Waterfalls":