優勝美地之旅

到美國之前，不免俗的要訂個必看清單 (bucket list)

其中，加州有名的優勝美地國家公園當然是必看項目

但是說實在的，在美國沒車真的寸步難行阿!!

還好來這裡之後認識了一群朋友，這次才有幸一睹優勝美地風采

接下來是從我臉書直接抓過來的，懶得換中文了，加減看吧 :)

Right after we arived, greeting from lovely animal friends.

Yosemite is HUGE, I don't think it's possible to go through the whole park without a car. Gladly, I came with friends. After some bumpy ride, we finally get to the Glacier Point. At which we can have a nice view of the famous Half dome. It looks like GOD dropped his ax accidentally during his sculpturing. 

Half Dome, half amazing.

Rocks looks interesting, like a prairie dog.

With a bag of yummy supplies, we start the hiking. Sorry I did not pay attention to the introduction, not even knowing where we head to...

I am not a very strong hiker, especially when I was in Taiwan, I didn't get much chance to go outdoor (ya..excuse again...). But after I came to Berkeley, hills here really force me to work out everyday. Thus, I felt pretty comfortable walking in those unpaved road. GREAT, now I am sure that even I bring no research results back to Taiwan, at least I will brink back a healthier body (lost 10 pounds already, and still losing).

On our way up there, we met lots of people, some are amazed by our group size, and trying to know where we from, but some just didn't act very friendly, well, sorry for road blocking (LMFAO tone). 

OMG, I wanna go horse back riding.

No trash can, no vendor; only sand storm cause by 100+ feet stomping on the ground. California IS a desert, I did not really get it until I arrived at Berkeley. Sadly, Yosemite is not luckier, dry climate makes it so easy to catch on fire. As far as I know, there is a meadow fire still burning by the day we left (for more detail:http://www.nps.gov/yose/blogs/fireinfo.htm). As a result, haze blocked us out from the direct appreciation of the beautiful landscape, what a shame.

Hang on, almost there.Survive, strive, live.

According to the weather forecast, there would be a thounderstorm, thus, we have no choice but pick up our pace. With the increasing of altitude, vegetaion become more and more sparse, rock and granite take over the stage. Life is struggle here, but I guess, to live a life superior than others, that's the price.

Finally, we are here! The place I forgot the name! LOL

FINALLY!! Nice job fellows.

Best reward for the sweat.

Views are amazing up there, all the sweat did pay off. Though the haze still there, being the fly in the ointment, but the view still so great that I hope the time could stop. 

Thinking about how small you are and how great nature is?

We did not spend much time up there, just enough for us to shoot a couple of photos, grab a bite, and we started to sprint down the trail. After all, we didn't want to get caught in the rain.

Time to say goodbye.

Yosemite is not a big park, it's an ENORMOUS park. Just one day is definitely not enough to walk it through. Besides, we are just not that lucky, bump into one of the most severe (is it?) drought in recent years. No water means no river, and no river means no waterfall, which is a must-see in Yosemite. Not to mention all the spots I want to see but missed, like Giant Sequoias, Tuolumne Meadows, Ahwahnee Hotel, etc. All of them make me want to come back and make it complete, hope I can make it during my stay in the US.

All in all a great trip though. Million thanks to IGSM staff, for preparing all the delicious food, designing all the funny activities, and of course, arranging the wonderful hike. It's the best way ever to spend a weekend!!