Yikes, my first post after winning the Belgian Travel Blog Award. The pressure is killing me. Must. Deliver. Awesome. Article. I figured: let’s not make it too difficult, I’ll just write about one of my favorite places on earth: Yosemite. If you have no idea of how to pronounce this crazy word, I’ll give you a hint: it’s not like Australian Vegemite. Actually it’s quite the opposite, in all ways. Where Vegemite is a disgusting yeast extract crazy Ozzies put on their toast, Yosemite (stress on ‘se’) is just wonderful and tastes like heaven.
So, Yosemite National Park is situated in California, somewhere between San Francisco and Las Vegas. Designated a World Heritage Site in 1984, Yosemite is internationally recognized for its spectacular granite cliffs, waterfalls, clear streams, Giant Sequoia groves, and biological diversity. Did you see how I stole this last sentence from Wikipedia? It’s pretty obvious. And I will translate in egotrip: damn, this national park is ridiculously awesome! Whether you’re in your car, on your bike or on foot. Whether you’re climbing famous Half Dome or getting waisted in Yosemite Valley, you will enjoy every minute you spend in this park.
Growing up in Belgium, I never really experienced wildlife at it’s best. Actually on your plate is considered the best way to view wildlife in this country. And who could blame us? Well, vegetarians perhaps, and hindus. Anyway, I had seen deer before, but never bears or skunks or mountain lions. Or other crazy animals I had never heard of before. Who knew California actually has animals that are trying to steal your picnic basket? It’s like you’re in a Yogi Bear episode or something. But it’s amazing and remarkable. One of my friends I travelled with last time I was there even ran over a snake. With his car. Quite scary if you ask me. Imagine having one too many beers on the wonderful terrace in Yosemite Valley and having to wake up at night to take a piss outside. I can assure you, once you hear something ‘out there’, you’ll put you penis back in your pants, scream like a little girl and crawl back to your tent (which probably isn’t even efficient against the force of a bear).
Anyway, enough talk. Just go there! Book a trip to Los Angeles, hire a vehicle, drive it to Las Vegas first, party hard and then make your way towards Yosemite NP. Oh yeah, Yosemite Valley isn’t the only place you can stay at. I’ve slept in Tuolumne on the east side of the park before, but they close quite soon in the season (in september, if I’m not mistaken). Try to book a night in Tuolumne and the Valley for the ultimate Yosemite experience. But beware: watch out for your picnic basket. Yogi bastards!
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