Connecticut to California – Day 14 – August 25, 2000

“This is the hardest stuff in the world to photograph.  You need a three-hundred-and-sixty-degree lens, or something.  You see it, and then you look down in the ground glass and it’s just nothing.  As soon as you put a border on it, it’s gone”

Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance
Robert M. Pirsig

I experienced this today.  Yosemite is larger and more wonderful than any lens can capture.

We gathered about 9:00 a.m. this morning for a group ride through the park - an awesome site to see 30 Valkyries winding their way like a snake down the main street of Mariposa and then up Route 41 to the park.

This was, I think, the best-led group ride I have ever ridden.  Our leaders, Gary and Sally did an outstanding job of picking the right pace and leading us smoothly on the tour.  Check out the picture of the happy couple – I think it is a great shot.  Thanks Gary and Sally for a terrific and memorable ride.

Having been through the redwoods just a couple of days ago, I couldn’t imagine trees more stately than the redwoods – but I have to confess the sequoias have them beat.  Fortunately, more of the redwoods have been preserved and the Avenue of the Giants is a beautiful drive that allows you to observe – literally thousands of trees.  The sequoias, on the other hand, are not as prolific and generally stand as lonely sentinels of a time long ago when they covered this land.

We only stopped briefly at the sequoias in Mariposa Grove – in fact it looked like we would have to take a shuttle bus from the gate to even see it – but silver-tongued Sally talked the ranger into letting us drive as a group to the grove.

Glacier Point was the next stop – and the view from there – nearly stopped my heart.  A quiet moment away from the crowds – surveying the wonder of it – leads your mind to wander into flights of imagination at America’s native people – seeing it for the first time.  Such magnificence – such abundance – such creative perfection.  For a moment I can exclude the busload of tourists and just imagine that moment of discovery.

We decided to try and get a group shot of the bikes at one of the scenic overlooks – but our bikes and we were virtually mobbed by the German and Japanese tourists.  Oz kindly permitted his bike to be used by a number of kids to have their pictures taken by their parents.  Perhaps we recruited some young motorcyclists today.

Gary and Sally led most of the group on a longer ride along the northern perimeter of the park, but I split off with Oz and ducked back to the hotel on Route 140.  A small fire, about 200 acres, lit up along 140 yesterday – and we had firemen coming in from Monterey to try to knock it down quickly – before it spread.  As we were riding along 140 near the fire, we were able to see a helicopter dive into the valley and actually dip its bucket into the river right beside us – before lifting up again and turning back to dump it on the fire.

A quick dip in the pool at the hotel – a shower – and then a couple of minutes of reading in my air-conditioned room.  The cool feels so good after the 98-degree ride in from the valley.  I nod peacefully off for a nap – not intending too – but just completely relaxed – into a peacefulness that only comes with wholeness.

Just after sunset, I need a little ride – alone.  It is twilight – the sun has disappeared, but the red glow of its falling on the horizon can still be seen behind the mountains.  I turn west to follow it – maybe for the last time – the air is cooler now – and I pull into the Mariposa Airport.  I watch the glow disappear – with a sort of sadness.

I thought I was alone, but I hear metal dropping to the ground – looking for the sound, I see that there are three fire fighting helicopter on the apron – and the mechanics are servicing one of them.  It’s almost 9 p.m. – flight ops are over for today – yet they are still at work – getting ready for tomorrow.  Thanks guys.

Driving back into town – I take a ride down the main street – through Mariposa – just to see what’s happening – and to be truthful – I am enjoying this evening ride.  Getting to the far side of town, I hear music and drive up on a concert in a tiny little park – a lady is belting out show tunes and several couples in their sixties are dancing in the streets.  I’m thinking dancing in the street on Friday night – is pretty cool.

The bike trip meter says 153.2 the Garmin III+ trip meter says 156.2 and I say Goodnight – and thank you to Gary and Sally - from Mariposa, California.

Connecticut Yankee in Yosemite Valley- the Trek
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