Once again Evacuated from my beloved Yosemite Valley. Driving in from the south gate the smoke was thick and I was the only car headed into the valley. A line of Fire trucks and official vehicles were the only ones on the road. Yes it was smokey and scent of fire was in the air, I was not going to let that stop me. The Merced River was calling to me and I was on my way. At first the clouds of smoke seemed so far away as you can see. It was early morning and the sun was yet to shine through. Then as I got closer to the valley it was clear that the smoke had blanketed the entire valley. Like a beautiful pastel painting…A terrible and tragic painting to be sure.
The cloud of smoke seemed so far away as I made my drive into the valley.
There were dozens of fire trucks in Oakhurst and all along the road into the valley.
Beautiful and heartbreaking as you realize the entire valley is blanketed with smoke.
Like a fantasy or a pastel painting…yet the reality was heartbreaking.
The smoke grew thicker and thicker, light ash was strewn everywhere.
How alarming and eerie it was to arrive at Crain flat and find it deserted! The entire place including no rangers and the check in gate… I camped alone there for one night and in the morning awoke to smoke and ash on my car.
A ranger came by and gave me a bunch of masks. I packed up and headed for the river.
Found a new swimming hole and that was a high light of this entire adventure….The eddy was deep and long and the water divine. The minerals infused me with their brilliant energy and I again felt peace in my soul once again.
Amazing feather like seeds ready to take flight and be planted for next years spring.
I did not know lady bugs had a mating season. One day as I got to the river there were thousands of lady bugs all over the lush plants at waters edge.
This deer and her new born fawn walked calmly across the field, cautious of the smoke as they went on their way.
Smoke rolling into the valley…..I went to the village where I was told the gates would close at noon tomorrow and all visitors must be gone..most of the staff as well.
That is a full grown brown bear in the field. He is heading for the village…Many animals coming into the village area in hopes of fleeing the smoke.
As I drove down heading south it was Oakhurst that the smoke stopped. Like a fire ring around the setting sun you could see the black plumes all the way into Yosemite…. Praying and prayers please for this amazing and sacred valley.
