So, let's put this into context for ya: three different friend groups all headed to the same destination, somehow, on three completely different trips connecting in what couldn't have been the most organic and effortless way, for an epic few days in one of the most beautiful places on Earth–big inhale after that one, but absolutely iconic.
What was a few days in Yosemite left me feeling, hands down, grateful as hell for this life and all experiencing it with me.
These moments remain engraved in my memory forever.
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Us boys, Kev and I, felt it right to be on the road at 3am. The alarms chimed at 2am; we were in the car by 3:15am (we spent 20 minutes trying to get sleeping beauty out of bed). I'm one hundred percent certain Arlene's hatred towards us was at an all-time high from the moment we took off.
The early birds weren't chirping, but still sleeping, mind this. We were completely out of our mind to be on the road this early, but it did put us an hour out from the park by 8am–first stop, Bee's Bakery in Oakhurst to get out needed caffeine buzzz on.
I'm putting this on record now: when I'm retired, I want to be living in a small town community drinking coffee with my boys at the local coffee shop by 8am, shooting the shit about last nights poker and the weather man on channel 7 news–"Hey there kiddos. Top of the morning to ya", as the gentleman sitting next to us catches my staring his way.
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So if you may, please do me the favor and scroll back up to the top of this page. You see that photo you're looking at now? Well, that's the view you get when your ass is on the road at 3am.
Peering down at Yosemite Valley by 9am isn't just 1. a bragworthy accomplishment, but 2. enough to make a tear shed down your cheek. My reason for saying that is because I definitely might have shed a couple. Time froze for us in that moment we were currently all sharing together. I could just feel the sense that this moment with such a view ahead of us brought us friends just that much closer. Wild how nature has that power.
With our much-needed nature high, from there, we continue on.
Check in at camp wasn't until 4pm. Arlene looks at her phone to see it's only shy of 10am. I had completed my daily steps by noon, kid you not. We were on 3 hours of sleep? The line between the sound of the waterfall behind us and Kevin's snoring during rest breaks was completely jaded. I recall a point where I truly forgot I was in Yosemite, and instead, the Sequoias. But yeah, we were doing the damn thing. Somehow.
We enjoyed one of my favorite lunch breaks in the history of lunch breaks under some cascading trees that day–off-the-record, I need to tell you this, Arlene: I might've thought you nuts when you pulled out that 4-pound can of tuna back at the house the day before, but in all honesty, an absolute win. Those tuna sandwiches just hit some sort of way that day. Tuna juice anyone? (you had to be there). I spent some time scrolling through my photos thus far of the day, while kicking back for a few on my $15 fold-up chair from Aldi's.
This day consisted of a lot of Yosemite, a lot of running water, a lot full bladders and restroom breaks, and immense amounts of bonding with these two–find yourself some friends that are down to wake up at 2am with you, and will not rip your head off when you pitch the idea for another waterfall hike by noon. Love you two.
Needless to say, us champs powered through an epic first day. By check-in time, we were settled into our cozy glamp tent in Curry Village made for two (there was three of us, remember this). Two twin beds pushed together to make one; my Amazon blow up pad laying in the 3x6 space next to them.
I got away for a bit and went into the village to charge my phone, and finally connected to wifi. Notifications came flooding into my phone, reminding me of the reality away from this all. I did my best to navigate through what was important at that moment, and found two texts from two separate friends who both happened to be in Yosemite as well. Both texts practically read the same: "Hey dude, where the hell are you? I'm here." Such refreshing texts.
It was easy finding Ally–look for the only grudge chick on roller-skates in the whole Yosemite valley. She, shockingly, only happened to be a football's toss away from our campsite when I found her; I could hear Turnstile playing from her headphones as I approach her from behind. With a bag of [half broken] eggs around one handlebar (again, something you had to be there for), and Ally to the right of my bike, we both rolled right into the camp adjacent to mine, to meet with another friend who so happened to be camping the night with his father. "Hey Ally, meet my buddy Michael." Michael pulled me aside afterwards..."She rolled through in roller-skates? Kinda iconic bro."
Before linking with Ally, and before I had left with the bag of half broken eggs from my camp that were "suppose to" be cooked at Michael's camp, I had told Kevin and Arlene to meet us at Michael's camp for a little nightcap around the fire. It had been such a long day for us three, so, to no surprise, they never ended up showing; I went with the assumption they had zzz'd the moment I left. I spent some time with Michael, Ally, and dad (Michael's dad) at their camp as night fell upon us. Us boys downed a shot of mezcal (shoutout Madre), before cruising back towards my camp–roller-skating Ally led the way. I heard snores coming from my tent upon arrival. Peaked in to see both Kevin & Arlene long asleep. Ally and I decided to blanket under the stars before calling it a night.
Day 1: the day that kept on giving (and going)
The rest of this trip consisted of just so much connection: connection to the infinite nature & connection amongst all these friends coming together as one, so naturally and beautifully. I will not brag enough about how well this group bonded together. The moments proceeding our last two days left me so in the moment, and away from my camera; this is how I knew that this trip would never be forgotten.
Highlight of day two: our hike to Nevada Falls, 7 mi.
I think what was most iconic was having 1. Michael's dad joining us, but 2. him having led the pack for what, the first 3-4 miles? What a boss.
Looking back, I do wish I would have captured some of those moments from that hike: from 6 friends completely SOAKED with the biggest damn smiles on our faces after the fact, as we passed through the mist of Vernal Falls, to Michael and my (ice) cold soak in the river at Nevada Falls, to running into yet another friend of mine at the top of Vernal Falls (shoutout to Octavia), to the family hug as we all arrived at the top. God, I shed a tear with how beautiful it was for us all.
We all connected back at our camp for post-Modelo's, before sharing our goodbye's with Michael and dad. This was their last day in the Valley before heading back home. Ally left back to her camp shortly after to refresh and chow on dinner. Arlene, Kevin, and I hit the showers (not together, although Kevin's face said he wished), and shared some much-deserved tuna sandwiches afterwards. We only had like 3 pounds left to go (remember the 4-pound tuna can?)
I had left back into the village to connect with Ally for a bit. We shared some of the most genuine talks that night. I had promised Kevin & Arlene I'd be back early enough to catch the stars before the night ended, so I called my visit with her short.
Now, what was something out of a goddamn horror story: It was around 9pm, and I had made it back to camp after linking with Ally, to connect with the other two for some stargazing. To my surprise, I arrive at an empty tent; no Kevin and Arlene in sight. At first, it didn't phase me much, as it was fair to assume they might've went on an evening walk, as that would be something they'd do. I did some wandering in the dark for a bit, just to hope they'd be back at camp once I arrived back. Arrived back, and oddly this time, the tent was lit, the front was open, it was close to 11pm at this point, pitch dark outside, way too quite, and yet no Kevin & Arlene. At this point, the mood had changed. I was definitely a bit of on edge. I proceed to enter into the tent, anticipating, honestly, the worst. Literal SECONDS after me inside, "Boom". Something hits the outside of the tent with such an impact. I go stone-cold. Like the fool in the horror movie that dies first, I instinctually step outside, peer around, and across my perimeter. I look down to see what looks like a bone-of-a-thing laying on the tent porch–INSTANT chills. Across our tent is this massive boulder; in the dark of the night it looks like a shadowed abyss. I felt the need to shine my phone light in its direction–and there I see, two shadowed masses laying right on top. I almost lose my shit. I mean, let me be honest here, I did lose my shit, then I hear laughter. It's a familiar laughter. These punks. Snapped back to reality, we all lay on top of that boulder staring up at the infinite blanket of stars that night, as I shed tears in silence for still being alive after that horror film of an experience. Hate you two, but love you two. It was also a stick Kevin had thrown, not a bone.
Day 2: Something like an indie film
This was probably the hardest day to wake up to.
This was the day we'd be saying our farewells to what Yosemite gifted us all.
The sunrise woke me up that morning. Without waking up the two sleeping beauties next to me, I rolled out of bed and met with Ally to share my goodbye's before she took off to her next destination. She's kinda badass you see: Yosemite was one of many stops on her awaiting new home and final destination, the North Cascades. Safe travels my friend!
I promised myself that morning that I'd finally make myself one of those aesthetically-pleasing camp coffees you see on your favorite camping influencer's Instagram. It was exactly what I needed. Camp coffee is just better coffee–and I dare you to challenge me on that. The two others wake up shortly after and join me on some coffee-sipping. We ponder the beautiful last morning together, pack our belongings, share one last moment at camp, pack the whip, then proceed to grab the bikes. And here you were thinking this trip was over–hell nah. Off to Mirror Lake!
The bike ride was iconic; a slow enough pace to just embrace the beautiful morning freshness and the calming nature around. The hill up to the lake, however, not so forgiving. Nevertheless, we pedaled our asses to the top with our champion little bikes, and indulged in the fresh sunshine lakeside that morning. The chill of the lake water soothed the all-body sunburns we all had–absolute perfection.
We all reflect on the days shared together in the Valley, on our ride home that day. The peaceful silence in the car was enough to assure me of this. We eat our hearts out at Mom's Burger in Fresno: "I'll take your mom's burger, make that your mom's double meat, fries, and a drink. Throw in one of those fried burrito please." I believe I payed only $15 on that meal.
Day 3: Sunburns, nostalgia, and food comas
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I look back now and just reassess the whole trip. It truly is incredible to me how natural everything seemed to have flowed. I mean, shit, I had three different groups of friends somehow connect together as one. The connection between us all was so genuine & alive. The moments we all shared together can never be forgotten; honestly more so, in my head, meant to be.
I also had made time with myself, somehow, during that trip, as I knew I wanted to. Time with myself is always so healing. I recall a run I did the morning of our Nevada Fall's hike, a quick little run along the Yosemite meadows. As I write this, I can still feel the aliveness I felt in those moments. Pure, blissful moments. I truly believe I was in full presence of all that was in those moments. There's only so many times when I have felt so alive.
I love my friends. I love the memories made with these friends. I love the moments experienced on this trip. I f*#?kin miss this place.
Guess you had to be there.
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Oh, although I said I might've left my camera behind for majority of this trip, don't think that homeboy forgot to pull out his handy dandy iPhone 14 Pro with stellar ass cinematic mode. Enjoy these literal out-of-pocket clips.
These moments are forever.