The End

I really meant to do this a long time ago, but getting back home and starting school really got in the way, so I apologize. But with that said, it is good to be back in the South. I was able to spend some good time with the family, although short. Now I've started school which I really enjoy. And the classes I'm taking should be quite interesting. However, I walked some trails on campus the other day through the woods in southern Alabama, and I must say that I really, really miss Yosemite. There are good things about the nature in Alabama and I know that there is beauty in all of God's creation, but then again some places are just outright more beautiful than others, and Yosemite is up there. I miss the mountains and the clear starry nights and the ability to do hikes whenever I want. Heck I miss being able to walk uphill in general but seeing as how Mobile is extremely flat, I guess I'll take what I can get. On the bright side, I'll be able to kayak more often here which will probably be my trade-off.

So I guess I can give you a summary of what I did in my last days of Yosemite. I was able to make it back to Tuolumne Meadows for one last hike. We hiked up to Elizabeth Lake which was a fairly easy hike, a round trip of about 5 miles, nothing too bad. The clouds that day were pretty crazy. It actually rained for once. But we managed to hike around the lake and eat our lunch before the storm clouds opened up on us. I also finally made it to Mariposa Grove to see the Giant Sequoias and they were incredibly big. I think the Grizzly Giant has about a thirty foot diameter, so yeah, pretty dang big. I also went up to Sentinel Dome and watched the meteor shower. You could see so many from up there it was unreal. There'd be like five shooting stars within the same second. And we ended up camping out which was pretty sweet. We watched the sunrise which was the only one I ever saw the whole summer and it was spectacular. And I know I'm not really describing these scenes very well but that's simply because they are really hard to describe. All this means is that you need to go there for yourself to experience it. So do it.

So, leaving Yosemite was really weird. I had been living there for three months and had really fallen in love with the mountains there as well as all other scenery and nature. But I really missed home and school and I knew I would never be able to live in Yosemite permenantly due to how temporary it felt living there with all the tourists and employees coming and going. It's a gorgeous place but I don't think of it as a home. So it was a little bitter-sweet in leaving. And I also made a good bit of friends there who hopefully I'll be able to catch up with in the future. I'm extremely glad I did this this summer. I really learned a lot. And speaking of that, here we go:

Not in any order that's important

1. When in a conversation about anything, and especially about matters concerning beliefs about God, listen, and I mean really listen. You have no idea how much affect you can have on a person if you would just here them out. You can put in your two cents in the conversation but just don't be pushy. If you listen to them, they'll listen to you. Simple concept, fairly easy to do, but not many people seem to do it, apparently. For example: I talked to this one guy who had been a Christian for fifteen years, did the whole youth pastor thing and the whole evangelism thing until he really looked into and started studying psychology. He then began to describe how everything that Christians experience from conversion to the moving of the Holy Spirit to discernment can be explained by psychology and how the mind works and interprets different energy movement and such. He kinda got into some pretty crazy sounding stuff, but I thought it was interesting so I listened. And I kept listening. And I got a little weary of some of the stuff but I kept listening while putting in some words here and there. What struck me was what he said at the end. He said that if he hadn't have gone through the things that he did to get him where he was, that he would have considered Christianity by the way I reacted during the conversation. So you never know when someone will actually look into Christianity by a response of non-judgmental, genuine interest.

2. People may tend to notice self-controlled use over absence of use. And I'll just give you the example because what I just said may not make sense. I know there's a lot of debate over the whole alcohol thing for a Christian. I do drink, I don't get drunk. And here's where my point comes in. Whenever I did drink, I would always only drink two beers at max, and never liquor. And those were my lines. And I really believe that people noticed more so that I only drank two beers and never got drunk than they would have noticed if I never drank at all, if that makes sense. Basically, they knew I never got drunk because I only ever would drink two beers. And it kinda got turned into a joke among some of the guys I drank with, which simply means it was noticed. I guess all I'm saying is that it doesn't take swearing off alcohol to convince someone you have self-control with alcohol.

3. A dip in the river can only suffice for a shower for two days in a row.

4. Sometimes we need to remind ourselves daily how beautiful something/someone is in order to not take it for granted. It got to the point that I would only glance briefly at Half Dome since I saw it everyday, but when I realized this I thought how dumb I was for doing this because it was so gorgeous. So from then on I tried to remind myself how beautiful it was and take more than a glance each time I saw it and try to soak it in more rather than taking it for granted seeing as how I wouldn't always be there. And that went for basically everything in Yosemite. And when I actually really looked at anything in Yosemite, I really couldn't help but stare for atleast a little bit.

5. Bouldering is extremely fun as well as scary and might make you cuss.

6. I actually found it easy to love people outside of the comfort zone of Christian surroundings. Seeing as how I have always been surrounded by Christians and people who grew up Christian, I never have really lived among people who were not religious. But in Yosemite most people there were not Christians. Most people just didn't really believe in anything. Some were homosexuals. There was a decent size drug scene. In general it was just a whole lot different than anywhere I had ever lived. I felt like this was the first time I had been "in the world." But in the middle of it all, I didn't have a real problem with loving anybody. And I found that really refreshing that I could as easily love those that were not my brothers and sisters as I could love my brothers and sisters. Imagine that.

7. Most people are willing to accept that there is a creator but not that the creator is personal. I found this to be the case a lot. So if we can find an easy way to connect the two then maybe they'll be more inclined to entertain the thought.

8. Sometimes the most effective ministering is just hanging out with people.

9. When doing an extremely hard hike, when taking a rest DO NOT CLOSE YOUR EYES or you might just fall asleep. Did it. However, a nap on the summit is always recommended.

10. When somebody asks you to do something with them and you don't have anything to do (and it doesn't involve anything evil) then do it. That's how I got into bouldering and it's awesome. Plus you get to hang out some more rather than doing nothing.

And there's more stuff but I'll just leave it at that.

There was one thing that one of my friends said to me that kinda stuck. He said "You know how to treat the world." And I think that's the best compliment I have ever gotten. He was drunk when he said this, but I hope there's truth to it.

And so, that's the end of that. But I do plan on going back to the west, probably Denver after I graduate from here. I really need to get back to the mountains.

Sequoia Trees

Unicorn Creek on the way to Elizabeth Lake

Sunrise from Sentinel Dome

Yeah, I'm a Slacker

So, let's do some backtracking. A couple of weeks ago, which would be the weekend after Half Dome, a couple of friends and I took a quick camping trip to Tuolumne Meadows, hiked to Dog Lake and Lembert Dome once again but this time near sunset which was that much better.

Last weekend, a couple of friends and I went to San Francisco. It was the first time I'd been out of the park since I got here. So you could imagine that it was quite a change of culture. But it was fun. We visited the piers, the coffee shops, the Chinatown, the shopping areas, the Golden Gate Bridge which we walked across and back. But the more cities I go to, the more I find that although some have their particular flavor and what not, they all seem the same to me. And you could probably guess that cities just ain't for me. But I did enjoy it. Pretty fun.

There was something that troubled me while we were there though. While we were walking back across the Golden Gate Bridge, we saw a man getting handcuffed and getting put into a cop car. When we asked what had happened, we were told that he had tried to jump off of the bridge to kill himself. It was a real awakener. I just can't comprehend the thought of seriously wanting to kill yourself. And while I know it happens and I can sort of understand what would drive somebody to do it, it was the first time that I was on site in the midst of it. The look on the guy's face as he was being walked to the car was unbelievably sad.

The full moon was last week, so we drove up to Glacier Point around midnight to hang out and it was unbelievably beautiful. And we just chilled up there (literally) and talked and took pictures. It was a pretty good night. However on the way back down, we were delayed about an hour due to road construction at 3:30 in the morning.

And this past weekend, yesterday actually, I hiked to North Dome which is right across the Valley from Half Dome so when you're on top, you are looking directly at the face of Half Dome. Pretty sweet. So it was 9 miles up via the Snow Creek trail and then 8 miles down via the Upper Yosemite Falls trail. So an overall total of 17 miles with about a 4100 ft elevation gain. And as always, the views made the hike worth it.

So I only have a little over two weeks left. The past couple of months have gone by pretty fast. And although I've really enjoyed living here I'm ready to be back home with the family, back in the South, back in the swing of things, back at school with friends and professors.

Mariposa Grove and the sequoia trees coming up soon, hopefully this weekend. Possibly another trip to Tuolumne Meadows to see other lakes and the wildflowers that are supposedly there right now.

Dog Lake

Sunset from Lembert Dome



Golden Gate Bridge



Glacier Point view of Half Dome and falls under full moonlight

View near North Dome, includes Half Dome on right, North Dome on far left

View of the face of Half Dome from North Dome

I Made It To The Top

Alright, so it seems like it's been a while since I've updated this thing, and there's a good bit to catch up on.

The past couple of Sunday services have been going really good. We've been having good turn outs, with between 25 and 30 people coming. And within the people we hang out with, although they may not be turning to any particular beliefs in God and Christ, I do believe that they see that we love them. I just finished reading Blue Like Jazz and it was really good and has really gotten me thinking about just how we as Christians should love everyone, but how we tend to have an agenda behind our love which then turns our love to a conditional love. So I'm trying to love people unconditionally, or at least without an agenda, without expecting anything in return and it's really a cool thing because I think I'm succeeding in doing so. And I'm not saying this to brag at all simply because God has a lot more to do with it than I do, but it's just a relief to be able to do so. Another thing that kinda goes along with this is complaining against people. With this whole loving everybody thing, I've been reminding myself constantly in my head not to complain about people, to myself, and especially to other people, whether it simply be about someone not doing work right or about somebody's personality, or other things of the sort. The reason being is that I have found that complaining about somebody only causes more resentment towards that person, and therefore less love. And the resentment could grow which could lead to anger which could lead to hate. For me it's never gotten that bad, but it could have been leading down that path. So I constantly stop my words as I almost complain, and I have really noticed that when you choose not to complain, you are mindfully choosing to love that person more which is very rewarding in itself.

So two Sundays ago on the 4th, the ACMNP crew along with others took a quick trip to Tuolumne Meadows which is at about 8600 ft. From there we hiked to Dog Lake and Lembert Dome and then just walked through the meadow. It is a beautiful place, a lot different than the valley, and a lot less crowded.

During my six day work week, which has now actually changed to a five day work week from here on out hopefullly, I filled my time doing night photography and I also took a trip to the famous Tunnel View from which you see Bridal Veil Falls and El Capitan mainly, and Half Dome and Cloud's Rest way in the background.

However, this past weekend was where it was at. After the church service, I headed out on an overnight camping trip, traveling to Cloud's Rest first, then to Half Dome the next morning. For the record, Cloud's Rest is the highest peak in Yosemite Valley at 9,926 ft but not the tallest peak in the park which belongs to Mt. Lyell at 13,120. So I started out from the valley floor at about 11:30 am and got there at about 6:30 pm. It was a 10.5 mile hike with almost a 6,000 ft elevation gain. It was pretty killer. While hiking to it with my heavy pack and everything, I was thinking to myself that there was no way that this hike could be worth it. But it was so worth it. On top it was incredibly gorgeous, the best views I've ever seen in my life, absolutely incredible. So I spent a couple of hours on top then headed back down and camped near the trail head for Half Dome. I had planned to get up early enough to catch the sunrise from on top of Half Dome but that didn't happen at all. I was so tired from hiking to Cloud's Rest that I slept from 9 pm to 5 am which is really decent sleep for camping. I did, however, wake up in the middle of the night to find myself looking at the most stars in the sky I've ever seen. Sadly enough, I was way too exhausted to set up my camera to take some pictures. So at 5 I got up, packed up my gear, ate my breakfast of a protein bar and a ham sandwich and then ventured off. I was only about two miles away from the peak of Half Dome, but it took me two hours to make the trip to the top because I was so tired and because I had to do a lot of elevation gain for two miles. Finally at about 8 am I made it to the top, 8842 ft in elevation. The cables were pretty dang scary, but once you started there was no turning back and it was really fun and tough. At the top there is basically a field of granite that you can walk across, unlike Cloud's Rest which is more like a peak. It was awesome. So to do the math: 10.5 miles from the valley to Cloud's Rest, about 3 from Cloud's Rest to the campsite, 3 miles from campsite to Half Dome, about 8 miles from Half Dome to the Valley. So that's roughly 25 miles, with a elevation gain of 6000 ft. Pretty intense and so worth it.

View of Tuolumne Meadows and High Sierras from Lembert Dome



Night sky from the valley floor



Bridal Veil Falls from the Tunnel View

Close up of the Tunnel View

View from Cloud's Rest of High Sierra peaks

View from Cloud's Rest of Tenaya Lake and surroundings

Going up the cables of Half Dome

Going down the cables of Half Dome

View of the valley and Cloud's Rest from Half Dome

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View from the subdome of Half Dome of something

P.S. There has been a long overdue shout out and it goes to one of the Fab4, and that is Miss Megan Hunter.

MOONBOW

So despite having had to work all week with little hiking, I had the most fun I've had ever photographing I think. There's this thing called a moonbow which is basically a rainbow at night during a full moon. The light from the full moon hits the mist from the waterfalls and creates a rainbow right in the middle of the night. It doesn't happen in too many places around the world and Yosemite is one of them. It only happens during three time periods of the year which is during the full moon of April, May, and June and depending on which day surrounding the full moon, the bow happens between 11 pm and 2 am. It was incredible. So while the full moon was out I was out and had a blast taking night photos with long exposures. So that was my Friday and Saturday nights.

Sunday went over very well. We had the most people at our service this Sunday since we started up, about 30 people. I spoke once again, this time I used a little bit of apologetics, talking about the historical evidence for Jesus and the reliability of the New Testament then about the truths of the gospel. Not too sure if the people enjoyed it, but I find it very interesting but I can see how it can be a bit boring for some. After the service, we went hiking to a waterfall whose name and location must remain hidden because it's a secret of the workers in Yosemite, but it was pretty sweet. Afterwards we went to a barbeque at the Pastor's house and hung out with him and his family and neighbors and other people and it was really fun and a nice change from eating Mexican, pizza, and buffet food everyday.

Another 6 day work week this week, so we'll see if I get to do any hiking/photographing, but it seems that I always find a way.

Picture time.


Moonbow at Lower Yosemite Falls taken at about 12 am





Upper Yosemite Falls taken at about 1 am



North Dome and Half Dome taken at about 2 am

El Capitan

So, not too much happened this past week except more hiking. On Saturday I did my longest hike yet to the top of El Capitan which consisted of a round trip of 16 miles and an elevation gain of 35oo feet. It was really good, great views and everything. We even took a nap on top for about an hour which was very refreshing. However the wind on top was very chilly.

On Sunday, we had our third service. Our crowd shrunk a little bit, but all is still good. The ministry on Sunday mornings is good and all, but I enjoy the personal conversations much more than the actual "preaching." I've had some interesting conversations with some people. I've never been in an environment where people are so non-religious. However, most are willing to hear about my beliefs and talk about theirs and some seem interested, others not so much. It's also interesting to be asked what religion I am when I mention that I'm here doing ministry. Next Sunday is my turn again and I'm not sure what the topic or anything will be yet. I probably should work on that sometime soon.

I'm working six days this week so most likely I won't get much hiking done. But I believe a trip to Glacier Point by car is in the works to see the full moon over the valley. So atleast I have that to look forward to.

One month down. Two to go. It's going by pretty fast. Before I know it, I'll be home again for a short while, then back to school. I'm actually looking forward to both but I'll take it when the time comes.

Next big hike will hopefully be to Half Dome, the pinnacle hike of Yosemite.

View of El Capitan

View from El Capitan



Weird tree on El Capitan

Special Edition

So this past weekend I did way too much hiking for only three pictures, so you get seven instead.

On Saturday, I hiked up to Glacier Point by the Four Mile Trail, a 4.7 mile trip with a 3200 ft elevation gain, hard but extremely well worth it. After spending some time at Glacier Point, we hiked down the Panorama Trail which is 8.5 miles back to the valley. So including the travel to and from the trailheads, it was about a 15 mile day. This has officially become my favorite hike so far, that is until I do Half Dome. For anyone visiting I would highly recommend this hike. If you don't want to do the complete 15, I would say to hike up the Mist Trail, hit the Panorama and make it up to Glacier Point and take the shuttle down. However, it can get a little crowded and touristy at Glacier Point since you are able to take the shuttle up and down but the views are so well worth it. Best views I've seen in my entire life.

On Sunday we had our second service which went very well again. The number of people seem to be growing, maybe not quickly, but growing nonetheless. Afterwards, I walked the Valley Loop, or atleast attempted to. Apparently I zigged when I should have zagged and ended up completely losing the trail. However, although I lost the trail, I pretty much knew where I was since I was between the river and the road, so I just trudged through the forest, wading through streams and such, until I reached the road which I just hugged kind of looking like a hitchhiker. But I eventually found the real path after crossing the nearest bridge and made my way past El Capitan and to Bridal Veil Falls. Bridal Veil was really neat because it was extremely misty and when you get close enough to a rainbow it becomes a raincircle. So this trail was 12 miles with an elevation gain of maybe 200 ft and I think I did the equivalent of the trail despite losing it. And that brings the weekend tally to 27 miles. It was a good weekend but my feet are not happy with me at all. If all goes as planned next weekend I'll be on top of El Capitan.

The Valley from Glacier Point



Half Dome



Half Dome with Vernal and Nevada Falls



Yosemite Falls and the Valley



Hope you're not getting tired of Yosemite Falls



The High Sierras from a distance



Bridal Veil Falls

And I'm Back

Sorry for the delay. Between working 6 days a week and a shoddy internet connection, I haven't been able to do a decent blog. But fear not, here it is.

So since I've been working so much, I really haven't had much time to do major hikes like before, so instead I just strolled around the valley a little bit. So the pictures are mainly from a short walk. I did get to do a decent hike Sunday which was up to Chilnualna Falls. I think it was about 8 miles round trip with a 24oo elevation gain, but we didn't do the entire trail due to time restraints, and also the falls hugged the cliff to tightly and I couldn't see much of it for the trees in the way, so no photos of that one.

This past Sunday marked our first ACMNP (A Christian Ministry in the National Parks) service. It takes place in a campground ampitheatre. It seemed to go pretty well. In the message, I went through a quick history of the kings of United Israel and of Judah until I reached King Josiah and I dwelt on him for a bit talking about how the law was found in his reign after having been lost. And when he heard this law, his life was changed immediately which led him to do an immediate complete reformation of worship in Judah. I then related this to us and the gospel and challenged the listeners to "refind" the gospel and read one. I think it went over pretty well. And if you're interested in Josiah, 2 Kings 22-23. I think he's often overlooked.

After the service, the ACMNP crew met up with a guy who'll be helping out with ACMNP in Glacier NP but for the moment he's traveling through several national parks working on another ministry. For more information about that you can check out sacredparks.org. Anyway, we joined him in a hike to Chilnualna Falls and spent the rest of the day with him. Pretty interesting.

And for all the southerners out there, you'd be glad to know that I have introduced some fine southern culture here in Yosemite. I made some sweet tea and the Californians love it, as well as some Michiganians and New Yorkers. However, there were many comparisons of the tea to syrup, and even some talk about putting it on pancakes.

Although this may sound like code to some, I attempted to have C & C but it's just not the same without ole Jay Fincher. As soon as we get back, let's do it.

I saw my first Yosemite bear last night. It was actually in our tent cabin neighborhood last night about 12:30. We heard a high pitched scream of "Get out of here bear" so naturally we chased it. But calm down mom, it's what we're supposed to do. And the brown guy just trotted off.

For the record, don't come to Yosemite on Memorial Day weekend if you have the option. It gets pretty crazy.

Pictures. Check it.

Yosemite Falls

Lower Yosemite Falls

The top of Upper Yosemite Falls

Another blog should be coming up after the weekend since I get this weekend off and will do some more hiking/picture taking.