Many, many, miles later!

Hello dear reader!

We’re back from Yosemite, and I already wish I could press pause and live in those moments just a little longer. Isn’t it funny how the trips you look forward to for weeks (months actually) somehow feel like they’re over in the blink of an eye? I’ve been home for only a short time, but part of me is still there, breathing in the crisp mountain air and chasing the sound of rushing waterfalls. This trip was everything I hoped for and more. From climbing what felt like endless steep stairs that somehow always led to the most breathtaking waterfalls, to standing at the top of Half Dome, completely in awe of what we had just accomplished and scared out of our minds. We truly did it all. Every step, every laugh, every “are we almost there?” moment was worth it. And like I mentioned before… I miss it already.

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Let me take you along for the beginning of our adventure. Friday evening, we packed up right after work and hit the road with Jamin’s family, full of excitement and probably a few too many snacks. Our first stop? Winnemucca, Nevada. Now, I say this with love, Winnemucca isn’t exactly what you’d call a dream destination. Picture this, stretches of flat land, clusters of casinos, the occasional gas station… and that’s about it. But somehow, in the middle of all that simplicity, it felt kind of nice. Quiet, a little quirky, and exactly what we needed after a long drive.

Or maybe I should rephrase, It was the only option we had but we weren’t complaining. We stayed the night in one of the many casino hotels (because of course we did), and after seven hours on the road, we were more than ready to crash. There’s something special about that kind of exhaustion, the kind that comes from knowing you’re in the middle of something exciting. As we all settled in for the night, you could almost feel the anticipation for what was ahead.

Because in the morning… California, and Yosemite, were waiting for us.

As we got closer to our destination, the scenery started to shift, and so did the drive. The roads turned narrow and winding, the kind that aren’t exactly made for the weak-stomached, or the overly confident snackers in the backseat (Ashley and I). It honestly reminded me of those beautiful but questionable roads that took us to Depot Bay, the kind where you’re equally in awe and slightly questioning your life choices.

But the views? Completely worth it.

We passed rolling fields scattered with livestock, and I swear I became that passenger, the one constantly pointing out the window every five minutes. “Cows!” “Horses!” “Wait—look at that view!” It was a steady rotation of excitement and habit. Everywhere I looked, there were wide open pastures, high mountain backdrops, and steep little edges that made you want to hold your breath just a bit longer.

And yes, there was a bit of subtle car sickness mixed in there… but somehow it didn’t matter as much as it probably should have. Between the changing landscape, the laughter in the car, and being sandwiched between my sister and Jamin, chatting, joking, and sharing in all of it. It felt like the kind of drive that becomes part of the memory, not just the route to it.

Once we finally reached our cute little Airbnb, we dropped our things off, took a quick moment to breathe, and almost immediately found ourselves at the store preparing for the next couple of days. Yosemite, here we come! The next day we woke up early and we’re more than ready to hit the road.

And honestly… the anticipation made that second drive feel completely different. It wasn’t just travel anymore, it felt like we were getting closer to something we’d been talking, planning, and dreaming about for so long.

The moment we arrived at the park, everything felt surreal. Almost too beautiful to be real, like I had stepped into a dream I might wake up from at any second. After so many conversations, so much planning, and a few failed attempts to make this trip happen, I never would’ve guessed that I’d actually be standing there, finally in Yosemite. We made it.

There was this quiet little moment of disbelief, like we all needed a second to catch up with reality. And of course, a huge thank you is owed to the Haywards, my saving grace in making this whole thing come together. Sometimes the best parts of a trip are the people who help make it possible in the first place. Thanks Jamin.

Our very first stop was Bridalveil Fall, and wow, what a way to begin. It felt like the perfect introduction to Yosemite.

Between the giant roaring waterfall crashing down the cliffs and the peaceful rivers and streams surrounding it, it somehow managed to feel both powerful and calming at the same time. And honestly? No picture or video I had ever seen online could’ve prepared me for what it looked like in person.

We wandered along the trail completely taking it all in, making frequent stops every few minutes for photos, videos, or just to stand there and stare for a second longer. It’s impossible not to slow down in a place like that. Everywhere you look feels like something worth remembering.

After Bridalveil, we headed over to Lower Yosemite Fall, which was somehow just as stunning in an entirely different way. At this point I was already convinced Yosemite had no bad views.

And then… it was time for our “big” hike of the day. Mist Trail.

Now, after all the preparing I did for this trip, you would think I would’ve been fully ready for a hike like this. Turns out… I maybe should’ve spent a little more time on the stair master beforehand. Lesson learned. With around 2,300 feet of elevation gain, the hike took us somewhere around five to six hours round trip, making it by far the longest hike I had ever done up to that point. And yet somehow, I loved every second of it. Between the cool overcast weather and the refreshing mist coming off the waterfalls, it made the endless uphill climb feel a little more magical and a little less painful.

Well… at least sometimes.

One of my favorite parts was hearing Ashley chatting away while we hiked, carrying full conversations like we weren’t actively climbing a mountain. Then every once in a while, the trail would turn into another brutal set of steep stone stairs, and suddenly the whole group would go completely silent as we collectively found ourselves panting and climbing.

The only exception to this, of course, was Jamin, who I’m fully convinced is at least part mountain goat. Somehow he seemed completely unbothered the entire time.

Reaching our destination felt absolutely magical. After all the climbing, heavy breathing, and dramatic “how many stairs could there possibly be left?” moments, finally making it to the top felt almost unreal. Standing there surrounded by towering cliffs, waterfalls, and views that didn’t even look real, I remember thinking, this is why people fall in love with Yosemite.

And honestly, coming back down felt just as memorable… although maybe for slightly different reasons.

Because in true me fashion, somewhere along the descent I managed to slip directly into a stream of water, completely soaking both of my feet. Not just a little splash either, I’m talking full sock submerged, shoe squishing with every step afterward.

Truly a humbling experience.

So here’s a little tip from me to you: always bring an extra pair of socks when hiking. Even if you think you won’t need them. Especially if you’re as accidentally unlucky as I tend to be.

At least it gave everyone something to laugh about on the way down. And honestly, those are usually the moments that end up becoming the best memories anyway.

With our “big hike” officially complete, we rewarded ourselves the best way possible: food, scenic photos, and the promise of finally resting our legs. We grabbed something to eat, wandered around taking way too many pictures (as we should), and eventually started the drive back to the Airbnb.

And honestly? I’m pretty sure I passed out in the car almost immediately because I genuinely do not remember most of the drive home. One minute I was talking, the next I was waking up in the driveway. That hike absolutely took us out.

By the time we got back, we were completely exhausted in the best possible way. We all took showers, cleaned up a little, and slowly came back to life before deciding to explore the area around the Airbnb. Nearby there was a little marina by the lake, peaceful and quiet in that perfect end of the day kind of way. Sitting along the shoreline were a few paddle boats just waiting there.

Now… I’m pretty sure they weren’t actually meant for us to take.

But according to Ashley, the fact that they weren’t tied up apparently translated to “free game.”

So naturally, after enough dramatic begging from Ashley, Jamin and I helped push both her and the paddle boat out into the lake while we stayed safely on shore to make sure she could get back in afterward. Watching her slowly paddle around while the sun started setting over the water honestly felt so peaceful. The lake was calm, the air had cooled down, and for the first time all day everything felt still.

It wasn’t some grand Yosemite moment with waterfalls and mountain peaks, it was quieter than that. But somehow those simple little moments always end up sticking with me the most.

Eventually, as the sky got darker, Ashley paddled her way back to shore, and we all headed in for dinner and a movie. Honestly, it was the perfect way to end the night and recharge before the next day’s adventures began.

The next morning came very quickly, and before I knew it we were all waking up early once again, slowly pulling ourselves together for another full day of hiking adventures. Sore legs and all, we hit the road with lots of water, snacks, and just enough energy to convince ourselves we were ready for round two.

Today’s adventure, Yosemite Falls Trail.

Thankfully, this hike was slightly shorter and a little less intense than the Mist Trail hike from the day before, which was very appreciated considering our legs were still recovering from what felt like climbing an entire staircase to heaven.

This trail had a completely different feel to it too. Instead of endless steep stone stairs, the path was mostly made up of dirt trails, rocky roads, and gradual switchbacks weaving through the mountainside. Something about it just felt calmer and more enjoyable to me. I could actually look around and appreciate the scenery without feeling personally attacked by another flight of stairs every five minutes.

And the views only got better the higher we climbed.

It’s so rewarding reaching a viewpoint after working for it, especially when you’re standing high above the trees looking out over Yosemite’s cliffs, waterfalls, and valleys. Every time we stopped to catch our breath, I found myself just staring out in disbelief again. It almost didn’t feel real.

Out of the two hikes, I honestly think I liked this one more. It felt easier on my body, more peaceful, and just as rewarding in the end. We absolutely loved it.

After finishing our hike, we spent the rest of the afternoon wandering through viewpoints and little stores, taking even more pictures and trying to mentally prepare ourselves for the next day’s adventure…

Half Dome.

And when I say we were terrified… I mean genually terrified.

The entire day there was this quiet nervous energy hanging over us anytime someone brought it up. We had all heard the stories, seen the pictures, and knew exactly how intense it was going to be. Every once in a while one of us would casually say something like, “We’re really doing this tomorrow, huh?” followed by nervous laughter and a lot of pretending we weren’t scared.

Once we made it back to the Airbnb, we moved surprisingly fast for people whose legs were barely functioning. We showered, quickly ate dinner, and then somehow convinced ourselves to get back in the car and drive all the way to Yosemite again just to catch the sunset.

And honestly, I’m so glad we did.

We ended up at Valley View hoping for one of those dramatic colorful sunsets you see online. Instead, the sky slowly shifted from bright blue into deeper shades of evening without much color at all. No dramatic fiery orange clouds. No dramatic pink skies. Just a quiet blue sky with a hint of color, getting darker and darker over the valley.

But somehow it still felt beautiful.

The river reflected the fading light, the mountains looked softer as the evening settled in, and everything around us felt calm in a way that’s hard to explain, unless you’ve been there. We sat there for a while just enjoying the stillness, soaking in one last peaceful moment before the chaos of Half Dome the next morning.

Eventually, when the light finally disappeared, we packed up and headed home, trying to rest up for the biggest adventure of the trip waiting for us the next day.

The next morning came way too quickly. Before we knew it, it was finally here.

Half Dome day.

And honestly, it had been creeping up on us the entire trip like the JAWS theme song. The closer it got, the more nervous we became. Every conversation somehow circled back to it. Every time we looked at Half Dome in the distance, there was this silent mutual understanding of, we’re really about to climb that thing tomorrow.

For some context, Half Dome reaches about 8,800 feet at the summit, takes roughly 14–16 miles round trip, and usually takes hikers anywhere from 10–14 hours to complete.

So… you could say it’s slightly difficult.

But somehow, despite all the nerves and all the anticipation, we actually did it.

And we did it smiling too… well, maybe not the entire way up. There were definitely moments where we were breathing heavy, questioning our decisions, and silently bargaining with ourselves to keep going. But the second we started making our way back down? Pure happiness.

There’s something about accomplishing something that once felt impossible that completely changes your mood. Suddenly the exhaustion feels worth it. The pain in your legs becomes funny. Even the struggle starts turning into one of your favorite memories.

And standing there knowing we had really conquered Half Dome together? That feeling is something I don’t think I’ll ever forget.

The next morning was much slower than the others, which honestly felt needed after everything our bodies had just survived the day before. We let ourselves sleep in a little longer, moved a little slower, and started getting ready for the long drive home the next day.

But before leaving, we all agreed on one thing: we needed one final day in Yosemite National Park. None of us were ready to say goodbye yet.

So we spent the day doing what Yosemite does best, simply taking it all in. We drove and walked around for hours sightseeing, stopping at viewpoints, wandering through parks, laying out little picnics, and taking photo after photo after photo. Every time we thought we had seen the best view, another one somehow appeared around the corner. It felt impossible to fully soak it all in, but we definitely tried our best.

At that point, there was only one thing left on our Yosemite bucket list: Stargazing.

And that night felt absolutely perfect for it.

After dropping off Jamin’s parents, we made our way back into the park one last time. Of course, before fully settling in for the night, we somehow managed to take even more photos, this time with the soft glow of sunset lighting up the valley around us. And honestly, I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of Yosemite sunsets, even the quieter ones.

Afterward, we grabbed some much-needed fries and burgers, found a cozy little spot, bundled up, and settled in beneath the night sky.

It was one of those simple moments that somehow ends up meaning the most.

Ashley spent a good portion of the night joking about being the third wheel, which honestly made the whole experience even funnier. Between the laughter, the quiet conversations, and the endless stars above us, it felt like one of those nights you wish you could freeze in time for just a little longer.

We stayed there enjoying the view until the early hours of the morning before finally heading home. And honestly?

10/10 night.

And just like that, the trip came to an end.

It’s always a little strange how something you look forward to for so long can pass in what feels like a blink. One moment you’re packing bags, overthinking trail snacks, and laughing in the car on the way there… and the next, you’re back home trying to explain to people just how unreal it all felt.

Yosemite gave us everything, exhausting hikes, breathtaking views, sore legs, unexpected laughs, quiet moments, and memories that somehow feel bigger than the photos we took of them. From waterfalls to summits to star filled skies, every day felt like its own little story.

And that’s probably the best part of it all.

Not just the destination, but the people you experience it with, the conversations on long drives, the shared “we can do this” moments on steep trails, the laughter when things don’t go as planned, and the quiet understanding that you’re all in it together.

I think that’s what I’ll carry with me the most.

That, and probably the reminder to always pack extra socks.

Until the next adventure!