I’m not sure how to exactly explain this song. It sort of just feels like everything has compressed into one sphere of sadness and misunderstanding. I was ecstatic for the California trip which in the end fell flat and I’m unsure of what to make out of it. There were obviously some fun memories that came out of this trip but the weight of the shit that compounded from this trip feels overpowering. It is somewhat hard to think about the fun and exciting things we did when it feels overshadowed.
Oh man was I most excited for Yosemite. This was also the first big activity we did on this trip. We hiked the Yosemite Falls trail**.** It was a mix of happiness and excitement and fear. It began with strength. It began with motivation. It began with the ignorance of the path that lied ahead, but I was thrilled that I was finally getting the chance to hike this path. And sadly, it ended with the start of a long week of tension that we were not prepared to face.
Back in 2019, my family and I travelled to California and we spent about 3 days in Yosemite. While we were there, my dad and I wanted to hike the Yosemite Falls trail. Unfortunately, we were the only two that wanted to go and the trail was highly strenuous so we decided not to go. This trail was on my bucket list for a good 5 years already. In the days before the hike, I shared my interest with this trail. I explained that the hike was gonna be strenuous to which people seemed to be fine with.
The day of, we decided to ask one of the park rangers about whether or not the hike would be doable for people who were not as experienced in hiking. This was out of concern for a friend who seemed concerned about this hike and we were more than happy to find another trail if it was gonna be too hard for the group. The park ranger said it should be fine as he probably was under the impression that we looked prepared. We brought countless water and Gatorade bottles, snacks, and sandwiches to keep us energized and hydrated. And so we went on our way to the trailhead.
A third of the way through the hike, we were all already exhausted by the high elevation we have already climbed. We took a good break to get rehydrated and reenergized while enjoying the beautiful view that was around us. Two-thirds of the way through, the intensity was increasing rather rapidly and a group of us was starting to get ahead and another group was starting to get behind. Finally, groups of us started reaching the summit of the mountain. The view was absolutely breathtaking. Mary and I were the first to get to the top. When we got to the lookout, I remember how satisfying it felt. I was in awe. I was speechless. A 5 year dream of completing the hike was finally complete and I was amazed by the scenery that was around us. Looking down at waterfall as it ever so graciously fell down the rocks. The mountainous stretch of beauty that extended to each end of the park. The view of the valley and the little people that you could see that looked like tiny ants walking along the paths, to which 4 hours before, was us. It was almost perfect. Almost perfect.
It felt like a complete circle. I remember back in 2019 taking a photo of the waterfall that I so long wauged to climb to the top of.
IN PROGRESS… trying to slowly collect my thoughts
Verse 1
Caught a glimpse of shining sky
And tears fall down my ace