We write to you today from the old lodge at Yosemite, which used to function as a dining room for guests long ago. It's very...nostalgic(?) here...with the smells and sounds and even old music from all that is "camp" here. Love it.
We arrived here yesterday after a beautiful time at Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. Sequoia was filled with the BIGGEST trees in the world. Literally. We felt so tiny...straight out of "Honey I Shrunk the Kids." The trees were massive, majestic, and gorgeous. Overwhelming really. The kind so tall, that if you look up you start to get dizzy and lose your balance. That big. That tall. So cool.
After hiking through the wonderful forest, we headed for camp where we saw DA BEARS. In a small meadow on the way to camp we saw one Momma Bear and two small, floppy cubs. One black, one light brown. SOOOO cute. I use the term floppy because they repeatedly attempted to climb on and off of a log from which they would end up tumbling as if they were straight out of a children's story. Roly poly, pel mel, tumble bumble...only bears, not puppies (for those of you who recognize the reference). Following da bears, we headed for camp, loaded up every "scented" item into our bear locker, sat by the fire, roasted some mallows, and crashed. We woke up, packed, sat down for breakfast, and were promptly joined by some mule deer who are less afraid of people than the squirrels at CNU...that's right. It was quite entertaining...they were ridiculously close and the only thing that finally scared them away was when...(sorry I just have to) Justin let out a "smoke monster"/"shot a bunny" (whichever term you prefer) and they ran like gangbusters (sometimes, I do too).
We spent the morning drive following the raging King's Fork River through King's Canyon. It was mighty and powerful to say the least. Miles upon miles of sheer whitewater tumbling down the rocks, creating hydraulics (for those of you familiar with white water rafting lingo) LARGER than mack trucks (a lovely and terrifying West Virginia, Gauley reference...AHH). Yeah, no thank you. We took a short hike to "Roaring River" (creative, I know) where Justin proceeded to climb the rocks out to snap some shots (we'll post those at some point). After enjoying the river and the surrounding scenery, we drove the miles between Kings Canyon and Yosemite--only stopping for (huge smile)...CHIPOTLE along the way!
Upon arriving at Yosemite we realized that it was indeed breathtaking...in multiple ways. Of course the beauty. But also the large amounts of people and the heat (weren't we out of the desert temperatures?). We enjoyed a "we're lost" Shuttle ride with many of them, followed by a rather unorganized meal time, redeemed only by the college kids serving at the ice cream stand (you know when one scoop is more like 3). We had been warned about the masses at Yosemite by some folks in Kings Canyon...which allowed us to prepare our hearts, minds, and attitudes well. We checked into our "tent cabin," which is exactly what it sounds like--a tent, held up by 2x4s instead of adjoining poles. There is a floor, a full size bed, twin bed, and small shelving unit, as well as a bear locker outside. On that note, I must share that we were awakened shortly after midnight (okay okay Justin was awakened...I (Lori) slept right through it--surprise surprise)--to a kid screaming "bear, bear, bear!" followed by an adult banging all things they could find and screaming, followed by rubber bullet shots...good times. The next morning we heard someone's car had been "bear-oken" in to (sorry, I had to). "Bear-oken" means utterly destroyed and torn to smithereens. Remember all things "scented"--that means pretty much everything (even Justin...kidding).
This morning we woke up, had some good time reading Luke and Greg Ogden's Discipleship book over some coffee and tea. We followed our sweet morning time with...one of the hardest hikes we've done yet. I know, I know, that sounds crazy considering Angel's Landing from Zion...but its true. We ascended 2,700ft in 3 miles (and, as we're the Throupe's, we...some might say..."foolishly" did it in 2.5 hours. Usual time, um 3-4). Not too shabby, but we were DRAGGING at the top. Did I mention the hike was to the top of Yosemite Falls? My bad. It was awesome once we arrived at the top...but we might argue the most challenging part was that ahead of us--down. Dangerous down. Millions of rocks covered in sand to ensure all manners of slipping and falling. Yes, oh the falls. Justin zoomed down the mountain, had one fall, and patiently awaited Lori who ever so carefully made it 5 minutes later with only a few terrifying slips and "surfs" in some areas. Rock on. (Get it?)
So now we're zapped and approaching meal time. Since we're not allowed to cook in our village of lovely tent-cabins, Justin decided we're going for the Yosemite Lodge buffet this evening--we're eating early and stocking up on all the energy we used today only fueled by a small granola bar, followed by a weak PB&J. We're beat and hungry. Carbs--here we come--and rightly so!
We continue to be ever grateful and increasingly peaceful, yet excited as we move throughout our trip anticipating the next steps and hikes and drives and parks, while thoroughly enjoying each day as we go.
Praise the Lord!
Hope you enjoy the longer post today (thank the LONG hike to Yosemite Falls--or if not, go ahead--YOU hike it! Kidding.).
Love you all so much. Thanks for staying tuned.
Grace and peace,
Justin and Lori
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