In the Valley

May 1, 2013
Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park

My husband and I drove to Yosemite Valley to see the dogwood trees. Our first stop was at Fern Spring, just over the Pohono Bridge on Southside Drive. Fern Spring, shaded by one large dogwood among other trees, continues flowing even during the driest summers.

We stopped at Sentinel Meadow and were awed by the towering granite walls surrounding the valley. No matter how many times we visit Yosemite, we are still moved by this great beauty.  John Muir says it best:  “The far-famed valley came suddenly into view throughout almost its whole extent: the noble walls, sculptured into endless variety of domes and gables, spires and battlements and plain mural precipices, all a-tremble with the thunder tones of the falling water. The level bottom seemed to be dressed like a garden, sunny meadows here and there and groves of pine and oak, the river of Mercy sweeping in majesty through the midst of them and flashing back the sunbeams.”

We walked the narrow path of trodden grass through the marshy meadow down to the Merced River. From there we viewed upper Yosemite Falls in all its glory.

At the Yosemite Chapel (built in 1879) located across the street on Southside Drive, we kneeled and prayed together for a moment.

Next, we ventured over to Curry Village where the abundant dogwoods were filled with white blooms. Native Americans used the dogwoods to create daggers, arrow shafts and baskets, and also produce dye from the roots of the trees.

We stopped to eat pizza, and the young bartender shared a tale about the only pink dogwood in all of Yosemite Valley. It is located on Executive Row in the president’s yard—the president of DNC, the concessionaire of YNP. His wife requested the house because of that dogwood tree. As we drove out, we looked for it but didn’t find it.

Lastly, we stopped at Cascade Falls and walked among the giant boulders through the rugged canyon to watch as the water plunged 500 feet before continuing its journey to the Merced River.

It’s comforting to know that Yosemite, with its dogwoods and waterfalls, remains in all its splendor and glory, awaiting our next visit.