Our first day in Yosemite National Park. Yesterday’s drive was not bad except the traffic caused us to change routes. Maybe this should have been the first indication of the crowd in Yosemite. First off, Yosemite is stunning. One of the most beautiful places I have ever been. Driving through the valley, you see stunning mountains, huge waterfalls, unique rock formations, beautiful meadows with wildflowers, and crystal clear river running through it all. Very few places, if any, in the continental United States can match the beautiful of this valley.To change things up, we decide not to hike our first day, but raft through the valley on the Merced river. The water is chilly, but not near as bad as the Pacific or previous rivers/creeks we have encountered. Josh and I get up early to wait in line, a long 1 1/2 hour wait. This rafting trip is first come first serve, but the wait was worth it. The greatest adventure of this trip was getting there on time. Josh and I returned to pick up Amber and Eli. We get lunch quickly because time is short and Amber’s food took longer. I drop them off. Then seek a parking spot. Did I mention that Yosemite is crowded? The time of arrival has passed. My family is there, but I am still not parked. I get a call from Amber. If I am not there in 10 minutes, I will not be able to go. “Go on without me.” I declare. There is no way that I have time. She tells me to double park, park in a handicap spot. Anything just get here. Apparently, that was the advice from the rafting place. I won’t do it. By the grace of God, I get a call again. Someone has just left right by the rafting center. Amber, Eli, and Josh are standing in the parking spot to save it for me. As I arrive, I see them shooing someone else away. Just by the minute, I make it. The rafting trip is very easy. It’s a light rafting trip with stunning views the entire time. Because of kayaking in Channel Islands, we adapt quicker and work together better, steering the boat. We even stop at one spot to watch other rafters, over and over again steer into a large bush that we successfully avoided. It was a bit entertaining. This rafting trip was not near as exciting (heart pounding, feeling the thrill of potential danger) as some white water trips I have done, but it was perfect, beautiful, and peaceful.
After the rafting trip, we drive to Tunnel View. This is maybe the most picturesque point in a place full of camera worthy shots. In this one spot, you can see Half Dome, El Capitan, Bridal Veil Falls, Sentinel Dome, and the Yosemite valley between them all. There have been a few spots that seem too beautiful to be real: the Napali Coast in Hawaii, Trunk Bay in the Virgin Islands, my first view of the Grand Teton Mountains from a distance, and here. Tunnel View is amazing.
Perfection, is there such a thing? When we get close to it, does it seem too unreal? God is perfect; that is why we call God Holy. The life of Christ is perfect. In his life we see the way all things should be. I am not perfect, not even close, but I can appreciate its beauty. The moments that you can glimpse the true Glory of God are amazing, but fleeting. In these moments, the world feels right, peace is present, love rules, and God’s beauty reigns. If you taste it, rest in the moment a bit. Let the moment shape you, work inside you so that you long more and more for God’s glory, his kingdom, and a better world. Thank God for God’s perfection.