Thank You John Muir...

Keep close to Nature's heart...and break clear away, once in awhile, and climb a mountain or spend a week in the woods. Wash your spirit clean."

"The clearest way into the universe is through a forest wilderness."

-John Muir

Oh, Yosemite, how we love thee. There is just something about your pine scented clean air, snow melt fed rivers and lakes, your ample wildlife teeming around every corner that just makes us feel so alive and content. Thank you for a wonderful four days.

We started our adventure at 5am- we figured leaving early and avoiding as much traffic as we could would be a great idea. What a great idea it was. We hit only about 20 minutes worth of LA traffic, the kids slept and were happy when they awoke, and we arrived in Yosemite at 2:30pm. A perfect time to see some ginormous trees, while still in our PJs, no less.

Before we even unpacked, Teigue needed to dip his feet in a river while Half Dome kept a watchful eye on us.

The next day, we woke to temperatures in the 90s- perfect weather to explore a snow melt lake. Do you think the kids minded? Uh, Teigue? Stell?

Think you need a dog to play fetch? Think again.

We got up close and personal with Benny the deer, Wile E. Coyote, Rocky Raccoon, Jumpy the Squirrel (and his 20 cousins), and then decided that we too, were wild and crazy animals.

Jayno even insisted she saw a crocodile. Teigue wasn't too sure.

We explored Cook's Meadow by day...

And by night. We saw shooting stars, the Milky Way, and more planets and satellites than we could have ever dreamed possible. For some reason only did this on our last night there. We all agreed that this is something we will do every night when we go back in May. 

Teigue almost exploded with delight at the amount of beautiful rocks that he found in the gift shop. Greens, purples, pinks- it was a bit overwhelming for this 4 year old. He decided that his favorite rock was the Pirate Rock- otherwise known as pyrite.

With these newfound crystals and gems, we played the best game ever created- Hide The Rock. What are the rules of this game? Well, you hide the rock of course. Then someone else tries to find it while you shout "Warmer! Colder!" We all know that the rules of "Warmer Colder" are that when the person gets closer to the hidden object they are getting warmer. Well, not in the land of Janyo and Teiguee. As the seeker gets closer to the object, you confuse them with shouts of "Colder! Colder! You really cold!" Then as they walk away you shout, "Colder! Warmer! Colder" so the seeker is once again confused and walking around in circles. Hilarity.

The game is then followed up by some popsicles and popsicle kisses.

And the night was finished by cleaning off some very dirty tootsies.

By far the best part of the trip? Watching a little boy gain so much confidence with himself and just explore explore explore. Private islands were meant to be jumped off of...wait slide off of...next year the jump, rivers should be waded through while walking far ahead of the safety of Mommy and Daddy, rocks and any trees can only be climbed, boulders were there to sit and reflect on...it was amazing watching his transformation. Teigue has always been sure of himself and content to explore but this trip he just blossomed into this Mountain Boy. He was fearless. It was amazing.

Daddy gained some confidence too...

I never thought my kids looked alike until I saw this picture.

Yosemite Falls...um, hello? Why are you hiding?

Here you go Joanie:

Good bye, Yosemite, until next May.


P.S. If you want some more pictures (if 40 isn't enough) I posted some on Facebook. (Just click on the word Facebook and it will take you to the album)