Half Dome's Silence and a Hummingbird's Gift, Yosemite National Park, CA (Part 1)

My breath catches as everything comes into sharp focus—a profound aha moment that I know will change everything.

My next destination is Yosemite National Park.

As I approach Yosemite, the rolling hills grow larger and greener, and the blue skies—dancing with fluffy white clouds—help ease my long drive.

I have a three-night camping reservation, about one to two hours outside the park. I did try to book inside Yosemite, but all the camping spots were taken in a matter of seconds.

If anyone knows the secret to booking a reservation in a national park, please share it with me. I have consistently been unsuccessful.

From my research, I know that the earlier I arrive at the trailheads, the better my chances are of securing a parking spot and avoiding the crowds.

Therefore, by 5:00 a.m., I am on the road. Today I plan to explore the area around Glacier Point, a two-hour drive from my campground.

I love driving as the day breaks in. I love the silence of the landscape, which I have come to cherish deeply.

By 5:50, I arrive at Tunnel View to witness the dramatic sunrise over Yosemite Valley, with the towering El Capitan and Bridalveil Fall cascading down the cliffside. In the distance, nestled between the valley walls, you can glimpse the silhouette of Half Dome. It’s just breathtaking!

I still have an hour's drive to the trailhead for the Sentinel Dome and Taft Point Loop.

Now I can take my time, enjoy my coffee, and wash up. I greatly appreciate the freedom my "home" gives me.

Just as I like it, the trail is mine.

About half a mile in, I catch a glimpse of Half Dome from the corner of my eye and like a magnetic force, it pulls me toward it. I am fully aware that I am stepping off the trail. Even AllTrails keeps warning me that I am off-route, but I do not turn around. I am so mesmerized by the view that I keep going.

I stand still under the shade of a tree, taking in the stunning view before me. Half Dome shares her silence with me, and a visit from a hummingbird clears my mind, allowing an immense realization to land softly in my heart: I was always on the right path.

My breath catches as everything comes into sharp focus—
a profound aha moment that I know will change everything.

I was on the right path from the very first heartbeat in my mother's womb. Even through witnessing her slow and painful death at such a young age, through the grief, the loss, the hollow ache of her absence that still lingers in my heart. Her gentle silence taught me kindness, not through words, but through the quiet power of her actions.
I was always on the right path.

My beloved grandparents, whose love wrapped around me like a warm blanket.

My father, who, through his pain, taught me one of the most important lessons of all: how NOT to treat people.
I was always on the right path.

Siblings I never felt connected to.
The sweetness of childhood friendships.
I was always on the right path.

The joyful years of my marriage, and the many years of betrayal that followed.
I was still on the right path.

The sacred privilege of becoming a mother,
the unconditional love I carry for my boys.
I was always on the right path.

All the love and all the heartbreaks,
every soul who crossed my journey,
every pet who left paw prints on my heart.
They are ALL part of my path.

For a long time now, I have described my journey as one that chose me.
But the truth is, I could never have come to love life so fully.
I could never have learned to appreciate both the rise and the fall
without understanding this:

I was always on the right path to understand the beauty of surrender.
The humility and simplicity of the life we are granted
is to earn wisdom, grace, wonder, love, and gratitude,
and to fully receive the endless embrace of God's love and the love of the universe for all.

What a beautiful realization. I do not know if you can feel the peace in my heart right now, finally coming to recognize it fully.

All the suffering carries within it an extraordinary beauty.

This realization—so clear, so gentle—that my path was always there from my very first heartbeat feels like being held in the most loving, tender embrace.

I return to the trail and continue my peaceful hike. Soon, I reached another breathtaking spot overlooking Yosemite Valley. This time, I take off my backpack and my shoes and allow myself a long, quiet break, gently soaking in the stunning landscape I am so grateful to be part of.

By the time I arrive at Taft Point, I have lost my solitude, but I am rewarded with beautiful conversations with strangers.

On my way to Glacier Point, I stop at Washburn Point. Holy moly, now that is a billion-dollar view!

Without a doubt, it is my favorite spot in the park. If you ever visit, do not miss this viewpoint.

By now, I have seen and experienced many places. But here in Yosemite, everything carries an extra wow effect. The enormous size of every element leaves you in awe of God's creations.

Of course, I also stop at Glacier Point, but by then, the crowd is a bit too much for me, and I still have a two-hour drive back to my campsite.

On the way back, I made one more stop at Bridalveil Fall. Visiting the park at the end of May means experiencing the waterfalls in their full, powerful cascade. Bridalveil Fall welcomes me with a colorful rainbow. What a gift.

Sweet dreams—tomorrow is another early morning start.