Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in
and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to body
and soul alike.
John Muir
A good friend came to visit me and I finally brought her to Yosemite. Yosemite is my heart and soul, it is what welcomed me and sustained me when I moved out here several years ago, not knowing really anyone. When I questioned the sanity of leaving my family and friends, it would heal my loneliness and give flight to my spirit and ultimately convince me to stay in California.
Last year I didn't get to Yosemite as I was dealing with my father. This year though we've had record rains and I was determined to go up. My friend couldn't go far into Yosemite due to a recent surgery so we did a quick in and out. The regular falls were spilling over and there were falls where none usually exist. We were also constrained by parts of the park being closed. So I will be taking one more week day trip before summer madness descends and Yosemite Valley becomes more like New York City.
Every one should visit Yosemite at least one time in their life. I've made many visits and it is always new, always inspiring. It is my church of the soul.
J.A. Seazer, 'A Song That Sank In Water':
