Yosemite, the exotic natural wonder

First it was a trip to Lake Tahoe, to ski / ice skate. But after considering the equipment and winter clothes needed for that, we changed that plan in to a hiking trip. Even though there are hundreds of places to visit in California, Yosemite National Park will probably be the top of the list for many. And it was, for me.

So here we were, in the week end of 'Sinhala new year', on the freeway 5, heading north. We had to pick Rosahn ayya who was in San Francisco. That actually added another 500km to the journey (One way!!) which was about 1000km total. It was about 11.00am, Saturday, when we entered the park. And it was all true..!!

The first glance of the Yosemite valley from famous tunnel view point.


and snow was somthing new for me too.

Then we stopped at the cascade creek falls, which almost made me feel like i'm back in Sri lanka...!!


Snowy mountain peaks on the horizon with a startling view of half dome.


The Yosemite Falls, One of the tallest waterfalls in the USA.






Yosemite point.
We hiked the upper yosemite trail, while my parents and sis took a easier trail running through the valley. My next post will be about that.

Roshan ayya on the way back.


Standing at the edge of the highest point of the hike. It's kinda harder than it seems. Specially with wind, standing at the edge of a 2000ft fall!!!!!


And yeah, It was still snowy, and that was pretty much the first time in my life I saw/touched real snow.

All my photos have been uploaded to Flickr. check those out too.

A new start!!

It has been more than a year since I moved to USA. And it has been a lot longer since I last hiked a mountain. And as my friends will agree, I really get exited every time I breath the cool breeze atop of a mountain, every time I see the green wilderness below me that has never been spoiled with the touch of a human foot, and every time I feel the chill of mist covering the tree tops. Feel me?? the photo here was taken in Horton Plains, in 2005.

Well, I miss Sri Lanka. Among many other things, I miss the small mountains of Ambewela and Pattipola and for sure, the famous Horton Plains, not to mention the silky waterfalls around my home town, Bandarawela.

Ok, enough grieving. I started this blog to share my outdoor adventures with my friends (including you, whoever you are..!!). The trip to Yosemite National Park couple of weeks ago gave me a boost in morale. And I definitely will be going back and definitely will continue to visit other places like that. It was amazing, hold on for my next post..!!