I loved escaping to Yosemite (say like yo-se-mi-tea not like vegemite) after a fun but strange 5 days in San Fran. I definitely didn't sleep much the night before we picked up the car, I was so nervous as we had spontaneously decided to rent a car and drive there as there wasn't any other transport options but we really wanted to make it to the park. In all my time in countries where they drive on the right-hand side of the road I'd only once braved it myself and it was enough to scare me off never driving in Europe again. Anywayy, driving ended up being scary but fine, and it was lovely to stay in a small American town for a change. The park itself was as breathtaking as expected - Noora and I made a friend at the small hostel and spent 3 wonderful days hiking in the heat and then cooling down in waterholes and rivers. I'm currently knee-deep in my honours project that deals with the theme of nature and indulgently reading quotes that almost bring a tear to my eye - John Muir wrote this during his stay around Yosemite:
Oh, these vast, calm, measureless mountain days, inciting at once to work and rest! Days in whose light everything seems equally divine, opening a thousand windows to show us God. Nevermore, however weary, should one faint by the way who gains the blessings of one mountain day; whatever his fate, long life, short life, stormy or calm, he is rich forever.
and (this is good - imaging writing this is your journal at the end of a day):
Another glorious Sierra day in which one seems to be dissolved and absorbed and sent pulsing onward we know not where. Life seems neither long nor short, and we take no more heed to save time or make haste than do the trees and stars. This is true freedom, a good practical sort of immortality.
I feel like life is becoming faster and slower at the same time. Months fly past but days seem to go on forever and next thing I know I'm finishing my honours degree in less than a month. I'm still savouring my new lifestyle closer to the city and have loved getting to know Sydney more and seeing a different side to this place. I love that I can quickly dash around the beaches on my bike if I get myself out of bed early enough before uni or work or head down to the park under the Anzac bridge to catch the sunset after a day doing work in front of the computer.
