How do I even describe Yosemite? There have been thousands, if not millions of photos taken at "Tunnel View". I've seen the photos, but none of them do the place justice. In fact, the first time we passed through the tunnel on the Wawona Road, heading back to Yosemite Valley after a full day of hiking and exploring, I gasped at this sight. I was thoroughly exhausted after covering more than 8 miles of ground. My leg was on fire, stressed from a 3000' descent over 6 miles. Yet, the exhaustion and pain were completely forgotten just as we passed through the tunnel and could see Yosemite Valley, framed by the rock of the tunnel entrance. We entered into the full sunshine, parked and walked with other awed visitors who were crowding around THE perfect shot for THE perfect photo that they had seen thousands of time before. Everyone wanted their very own personal record of the place. Now, like me, they will look at their own version of the Tunnel View photo, will share their photo with everyone they know, post their Tunnel View photo on blogs, Flickr and Facebook, and still not one of those photos will capture the full spectacle. Every photo taken of Yosemite Valley from just this spot is nothing more than a pale shadow of the actual majesty of Yosemite. Everyone who sees this view in person is awestruck. I think that all of us who have stood in this spot leaves the place just a bit sad that they must leave and cannot stay to stare at it continuously until the last day on earth. Standing in this spot is perhaps like glimpsing heaven. I've been away from Yosemite for only 6 hours, and I want to return. I need to return. I think that I have left a part of my soul there, and I must return someday to make myself whole again.
1 comment:
Oddly enough, I've seen the view so many times that it didn't really impact me the way I figured it would. I mean it was perfectly amazing, but I think what stuck with me was the smell of the whole area. It just seemed so pristine and wonderful. When I look at the several pictures I have of Yosemite hanging on my wall, it's the picture that takes me there, but the reminder of the pure outdoors smell that puts a smile on my face.
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