Kiwis and Fairy Bread

24 June 2025

It was just beginning to get light when I awoke with a kiss from Mike, who said he was going to see the sunrise at Glacier Point. He would see me later. Without hesitation I said I would join him. Within minutes we were both dressed and in the car heading west and up to 7500 feet to another of Yosemite’s wonders.

Our timing was again perfect. Just as we got the first scenic overlook the sun was rising over Half Dome. The southern half of the sun was blocked by the dome, the rays fanned out. It was unique and otherworldly.

Back in the car, we approached another overlook. On it stood an impeccably dressed bride and groom with a photographer. We slowed, I applauded and wished them every happiness. Either she did not hear me, or happiness what not the issue at the moment. The couple had just captured the most amazing wedding photo ever which will surely out-instagram all her followers. I had to wonder just how early the couple and the stylist had to wake up. 2am?! That’s crazy! Still, I do hope the couple took a breath, enjoyed the view, and each other.

It was a view to be savored. From Washburn Point (named for brothers that first built the toll roads in these parts), I gasped. I laughed. I could not believe it. A young videographer was filming and I was afraid my excitement may have messed up his piece. Turns out he worked for Reuters and he was shooting B Roll throughout the park. Showing someone’s true reaction to the view would fit in just fine, he said.

And then I turned to Mike and hugged him. “It’s June 24th! Our first thirty fourth anniversary!“ Could we have imagined thirty four years ago that we would be standing here, so happy in such a place?! We are a truly fortunate pair.

Another young couple was also doing a photo shoot. This was far less formal and we suspected it was to announce an engagement. As they stared into the rising sun, they did look very happy.

A few minutes drive further up took us to Glacier Point. From here one can view Yosemite Falls, The Royal Arches, Half Dome, Vernal Falls, Nevada Falls and the floor of The Valley. It is so wide and spectacular that one cannot get it all into one photograph. And that’s good because it makes you walk around to the different lookout points to take it all in.

The blue sky, trees in different shades of green, the beige earth, the granite of white, gray and black., the snow capped peaks of the Sierra Nevadas in the distance. Wow! What a view! What a morning!

From a guide we learned that the granite was carved by a glacier millions of years ago. That all the waterfalls in this view are all fed by snow run off and that with so little snow fall this year, the falls will be dry by the end of July (they can sometimes run into September). The snow melt is a relatively thin stream. It’s the height that it falls from and the wind that blows through it that makes the falls so impressive.

Several times we heard the deep, echoing, thunderous sounds of avalanches. No chance to see them though, they were too far away.

We spent about two hours embracing this view. Mike pointed out to me the hike we would take from this spot the next day. I looked in disbelief. We were going to hike from here all the way down to there?! Yes, we had made all the arrangements to do it, but standing at Glacier Point, looking down into the valley, I could not see how we could possibly do it.

With this on my mind we drove down the mountain and into our apartment complex. On the side of the road we spotted a bear. A beautiful brown bear, looking to cross the street. We stopped to let her do so. Following the bear were two cubs! Staying in the car we watched as Mama Bear walked onto a log and then scratched it to get at the bugs. Her cubs followed and did the same. Bugs for breakfast! SO cute.

A car behind us also watched, and we told a family in our parking lot to keep an eye out. We would meet them all formally later.

Back in our apartment I was getting cold feet about our hike. Mike and I discussed my concerns. How would Mike feel about doing it alone? Fine, but he’d miss me. What could I do instead? Hang out in the valley and write, I supposed. What preparations could we make to help me feel more comfortable? During the morning and afternoon we rested. We looked at the situation from every angle (except the obvious one. See our next post)

In evening we headed down into the valley to attend a program called Yosemite after Dark. It wasn’t dark yet, so we went on a walk to find the famous view of The Old Chapel and Yosemite Falls. The view was overgrown, but we saw another bear! This one really stopped traffic. People were smart, keeping their distance as the bear thrilled us all by joyfully bouncing through a meadow.

In that same meadow we saw the same engagement couple still taking pictures! Am I missing something? I just don’t get it. Still, Mike and I wished them to be as happy as we are, here on our 34th anniversary. They hoped so too.

During the evening program our educator enthusiastically shared his own love of Yosemite. He took us to the river and encouraged us to stop. What did we hear? What did we see? What did we smell and feel? I asked what the high pitched squeaks were. Bats! I have never noticed the sound of bats before. Now that I knew, I would hear them all evening.

We learned that when exposed to UV light, the underside of leaves on trees look red! As does a certain kind of fungus. He taught us the names and properties of trees. Using a laser pointer, the educator pointed out stars and constellations. It was a moonless night and he shared us the stories. To close, he encouraged us to be silent again. It was just wonderful (i know I am saying that a lot!)

Also taking the class, it turns out, was the very same family we had spoken to about the bear family earlier in the day. We followed each other up the dark winding road under a sky bright with stars.

Sunrise, sunset, bears, bats, stars, the two of us together. What a day together. Again. Happy Anniversary, My Love.