dream walkings

2021 The Yosemite

February. I have a secret, a surprise. Reservations are required and a pass I have purchased to try and catch the magical event of the “Horsetail Firefall” on El Capitan in Yosemite. This only happens in February for a couple of weeks each year and the clouds and winds must completely stay away! Two days, while the children school at home (grr), I will make the 5 hour drive to where my heart has longed to be it seems like forever.

March. And it is done! Firefall was magical even if I had to share it with hundreds of other people! How can I desire such a thing but wish to deny others? I cannot. The frenzy of professional photographers setting up their tripods, gear, and getting measurements just right definitely left me feeling wholly unprepared. Alas, I did get some photos, they just won’t be gracing any magazine covers! But my treasure is undiminished – the waterfall and spray caught ablaze by the setting sun as they whispered together down the monolith’s granite face belongs to me too now. I did not know El Capitan was a translation of the Miwok given name: Totockahnoolah which means of course “the Chief” – as it should.

My next destination is my longed for Touloumne Meadows. My picture books are worn thin from 26 years of reading and dreaming. My body and soul strain to connect. It doesn’t help that I am reading a wonderful book about journey’s on foot, following invisible footprints down ancient paths. It fills me with wonder, gratitude, and enthusiasm all at once. A writer I have just discovered and so admire for his travels and for blessing us with his voice. So many adventures, such lovely prose – Robert Macfarlane thank you from the bottom of my hear!

“To walk is to gather treasure!”
– Miguel Angel Blanco