Last week was our first shared immersion in Yosemite National Park. Dave has hiked it in the past, before we knew each other. I’ve never hiked it. Between Tuesday and Friday, leading up to the New Moon, we enjoyed our inaugural backpacking and camping adventure there, together.

We actually had reservations for a tent room a few years ago, but had to cancel due to fires in the park.

But the weather was just right and this year has been another good one for our area in terms of smoke or fires, so without the fur babies at home, we just hit the road on four days notice – how long ahead was needed to get our permits.

I was describing Yosemite in a text as similar to Tahoe, but larger. In fact, though, I learned that the Tahoe Basin is nearly twice as big as Yosemite. Who knew?

But my first statement was accurate, as the trails we did and sights we saw mirrored many of the areas we hike in Tahoe and have a similar vibe with their both being in the Sierra Nevada range, of course. Yet, there was a different element of its own grandeur and wildness, mixed in with other unusual landscapes and formations that provided a new level of vastness to experience.

Being a National Park also adds a protective quality where I found wildlife to be more visible. And being all new as an experience at large, it was fresh and unknown – making the journey full of unpredictable twists and turns and even more “ohhh’s and ahhh’s” around each corner.

For logistics sake and context, I’m going to summarize our four days, but then feel guided to share the experience through photos and inspired musings for the rest. This format came to me while in Yosemite – words were flowing with each special moment unraveling before me and were writing themselves with each step.

We drove to the East entrance of the park at nearly 10,000 elevation, which is only just over two hours from our home and we stayed that night in a first-come-first-served campground near a creek so we didn’t have to combine driving and hiking all in one day. There’s a great little market and restaurant just down the road, outside the park, where we enjoyed lunch overlooking Mono Lake.

They weren’t joking about a veggie burger – filled with actual layered grilled vegetables sitting taller than any mouth could wrap around.

We then drove on, found a campground and spot we liked, and set up camp.

We’re not used to campfires being allowed in Tahoe, so when the campground host asked if we wanted firewood, we said “yes” to enjoy the smells and feels of nostalgic sensations and visions we both enjoy.

Camp was at 9600 feet and the first night was quite chilly in the 30’s outside and 40 degrees in our tent. That night was the first of now three new bear dreams I’ve had within less than a week. This one was short and purposeful with a bear walking the opposite way to us along a very thin passage. She brushed her golden fur and muscled body along our sides, as we passed each other on the path just as you would brush up against bushes and trees without thought that reached onto the trail. There was something exchanged in that brief merge point.

The next day we set off for our destination hike of Cathedral Lakes nestled at the foot of Cathedral Peak. We camped at Lower Cathedral Lake around 9400 elevation for the next two nights, did a day hike to Upper Cathedral Lake and Cathedral Pass at 9700 the next day, and then back down on the last day. On our way out of the Park we picked up some fun things at a park store, including light weight chairs we decided to add to our equipment, a comprehensive book on Yosemite, and I found the only neck gaiter that had bears on it.

It was a beautiful intro for us.

Our backpacking style is unique to our individual taste – we like to do shorter distances each day and camp in one place without moving around so that we can fully immerse and relax. Without time pressures we’re able to enjoy each area and experience it fully. This was a “getting our feet wet” pilgrimage to feel out how far we want to dive in.

We’ve decided to take the Yosemite plunge and booked a late Autumn cabin-based trip farther into the park where we’ll use it as a home base for daily adventures. It will be a fun way to enjoy the chillier weather and turn of seasons, while creating warm memories. We feel we’ll also do some more backpacking and camping trips between then and now before Winter sets in.

Well…lol…in fact, we were going to take this last week off to do stuff around home, but the Yosemite itch got to us and we took off on a last minute camping trip once again for three more days.

So, as I write this, we’ve now returned from two trips in the park with more to come.

As John Muir wrote in a letter to his sister in 1873 (100 years before my birth), “The mountains are calling, and I must go.”

Now for the experience through my heart’s eyes…..

A new adventure had us giddy like children on Christmas morning awaiting to open the beautifully wrapped gift surprises. We settled into our cozy forest nook, readying for the journey ahead.

As always, the explorer in me must check out the offerings of the land we pass through and listen to the stories held in every miracle before me.

I sauntered across the meadow, taken in by the colorful metamorphic rock and shift of season you could already see taking hold of the land.

By the dancing flames of our campfire, we sipped on warming blueberry lavender tea to kindle the magickal realm within our blood before laying our heads to rest under star-dusted skies above.

That’s when golden bear visited, casually merging her fur with our skin, as we passed through the night.

Into the new world we forged ahead, with eyes wide open to the building expanse ahead.

After picking up our passages to the destination chartered, we geared up and began the climb toward the heavens to the first treasure chest of glory our map promised.

The terrain was vast and peaks rose and rolled to the clouds. Upon our backs we carried our needs and sustenance, but the comforts of home were held within a merging between Nature and our hearts.

As always, alignment leads us to the perfect touchdown – this time a stone and tree sentinel circle to watch over us by light of day and dark of night.

Our mobile hammock offers us versatility of a coddling couch with any view our hearts desire in the moment.

From lakeside to forest shade, or rising and setting sun, we hung our hearts, minds, and bodies in the care of elder trees holding and rocking our spirits by the lullabies carried upon the breeze.

Afternoon and evening walk invitations welcomed us our first day in.

Surrounded by divine spires and massive glacial-constructed walls to this ancient kingdom, we joined Mass in Nature’s Church at Cathedral Lake.

The water was invigorating and washed purity over us, baptizing us to this new world and the new vibration we now embodied with this rite of passage.

Giant dragonfly emissaries greeted me as I stood in the water and from that moment forward, they would always meet me at water’s edge – the gateway to a promise that made me return to Earth in the first place.

The forests, beach, and stone flooring were rich for the forager heart to explore.

New mushroom finds, 540 million year old quartzite, feathers, and footprints from our animal kin caught my tracker eyes and tickled my Fae heart.

I discovered more feathers on this backpacking trip than any – enjoying the old friends and three new variety of owl messengers who especially desired my attention to the path I was birthed into.

Even the setting Sun seemed eager to send light code reminders of this mission, along with activators for a new world.

I was also initiated by golden wings circling around me, as I readied for bed. Dave even stopped to watch, as this beauty danced round and round, coming just close enough to imbue my aura with her magick and for me to feel the light touch of her flutter across my skin. Then she settled on the log next to Dave’s socks that carried him many a mile of good forest bathing.

Our first night under the watch of majestic Cathedral Peak, two coyote packs serenaded us by starlight. And oh were the stars bright and big – the Big Dipper in fact looked as if it was scooping up our tent as this initiation of coyote chants floated in the air. Their calls across the lake were hauntingly familiar – awakening the primal forces to their heightened awareness and evoking a desire to howl back across the moonless night sky.

Snuggled in with extra layers we added to keep the chill from our first night out, we slept like warm rabbit kits nestled in Winter burrows of down, comfort, and dreams of delight.

It was a magickal first eve that felt like a welcome back.

Tantalizing morning sunrise streamed through our camp while warm coffee brewed and a hearty oatmeal bowl went down as smoothly as our dreamy heads touched the pillows of Yosemite’s grandest guest room.

Before heading off I took our things to the beach for a cleanse where I found deer hooves freshly traipsing off down the sand at water’s edge.

It appears they, too, wanted to enjoy the touch of sunrise over Cathedral Peak on their dewy fur left by Night’s kiss.

With full tummies and a skip in our step, we set off on a day hike along the John Muir Trail, after crossing meadows where pre-fall red carpets were laid down for our entrance.

Everywhere my eyes were led to turn, a new masterpiece laid before me as if I was walking through the grand halls of a royal palace where the finest landscapes by the masters were hung on every wall.

As we made our way through the vibrant forest, a regal buck cleared the trail in one leap, as if the hounds were upon his heels. Dave forged on, as a large owl feather called my attention and new discoveries tickled my senses even more alive.

Turning to my right, the loud silence of an on watcher caught my gaze.

There sat a very large, beautifully coated, and jolly ol’ marmot.

He didn’t move an inch, but keenly took in my scent and vibration. Reminding me of Astrid with his strong stance, powerful body, and thick, luxurious fur, I felt a wink from the stars.

He then turned toward me, chewing on something between those cute teeth of his. I called Dave over to see and we all just stood on pause, sharing in the sweet connection.

Reluctantly I moved on, although my marmot friend remained holding my gaze, as he watched me move on down the trail that looked like it went on forever into tomorrow.

Onward and up we continued through the lively forest and stone steps creating a stairway to the next cathedral in the sky.

Here we sat and took in the fresh scent of alpine water lapping at our feet and hanging in the invisible droplets of gentle warm breeze that moved slowly around us.

Cathedral Peak held vigilance from above like a mythical realm piercing the veils of illusion, fear, and disbelief. I relished in the emanation of powerful, enduring, and wondrous energy cast down upon the land it holds reign over.

After some nourishment we forged on to the top of Cathedral Pass, coming to rest against a large elder stone. Here I leaned into the memories held deep within her hardened veins that have withstood the ages and opened to receive transfusion of extra resiliency for the journey ahead.

Feeling renewed, we headed back down the mountain pass, following in the footsteps of Mr. Muir and many others who have taken the road of heart’s calling.

And the rest of our day was spent nestled into the watchful eyes and nurturing arms of our sentinel circle with book in hand, words gliding on paper from my pen, and many a restful and consciously explorative adventures of the mind and heart as one.

Large raven guardians were daily visitors to the very chatty forest of birds and little furry creatures. They, like the coyotes, would call across to each other from their tree top perches and surround our campsite with transformational tones spoken from within iridescent black breasts that alchemize the space around them.

One, in particular, the largest of them all would come to sit directly over our tent and caw to us laying in the hammock. With tilted head and perky eyes, he spoke of something around the corner to come. Another cock of the head, ruffled tuft of puffed breast under his beak, and glisten of feathers touched by sunlight, the magick was real and my mind crisped with clarity and understanding of things I pondered to make light of.

Sunset hours always call our hearts for a stroll along our new worlds to view the shifting light that casts spells upon the heart and transforms the way you hear the storytellers gathered to speak.

Night’s cloak came fast, and wrapped within our cocoons inside the tent, our sleep would be the metamorphosis of all things brought to awareness, and even those things yet to be discovered.

The next morning’s hammock breakfast was enjoyed overlooking the sunrise horizon through the forest. As Dave went off to wash his things and prepare for the trek back, I sat in complete silenced awe sipping my coffee while an enchanted spectacle unfolded before my eyes.

Sitting in stillness, the forest came alive as sunrise glistened upon tiny strings of spider silk. One-by-one they lit up across the space in between, connecting every single tree, blade of grass, stone, fauna and flora, in a worldwide web. Tiny insects upon little glowing wings danced across the forest horizon like faeries, while little puffs of fragile pappus floated from unknown sources like parachutes entering from the realms unseen.

Not a sound was heard with the ear, but the melody was strongly beating the drum of my heart.

By the time Dave returned, the magick was hidden by the shifting sunlight making its way to light up another corner of the forest and world. No evidence of the enchanted scene remained, except the knowing of heart it was still there.

It is only by presence and stillness that one might catch glimpse of the wonders that inhabit the world around us and that only can be seen when we bend our perspective.

We took a last walk to etch the memories of this spiritual bliss – a true heaven on Earth deepening the blessings of spirit in body and why we choose to birth here.

Packed up, we headed off, back down the mountain and stone staircases to our car awaiting.

But this realm had yet still one more encounter in mind.

Another regal buck emerged from the forest and walked onto and across the trail. This one, however, was not in a rush. His gait was deliberate and slow, wanting to make sure his presence was announced.

There was no fear in his eyes as he stopped across from us, no more than fifteen feet and peered deep into our hearts. We held a deep and soulful gaze with this majestic being before he slowly turned and disappeared into the forest.

His face still haunts me now. More so because his appearance came directly after I had declared a realization out loud that also is something Astrid has taught me in her own unapologetic and brave stance of presence in a room.

I knew my awareness had been acknowledged.

Consciousness is our super power.

Once you invite and dance in its presence, all becomes clear and there’s no need for anything else.

Upon returning home the third powerful bear dream took place. The second was during our two night stay at Cathedral Lake, which was another brief encounter. But the experience heightened at the pinnacle of trinity dreams where once again I found myself laying down with a large bear by my side.

As with other dreams, this bear spoke to me as our heads came together nose-to-nose and forehead-to-forehead.

Part of what the bear said was, “You know you’ll be leaving soon and it will be time to go.”

It was more involved, but the bear was there for the journey and it felt like we merged.

A big shift is upcoming.

Our first Yosemite immersion was a beautifully rich journey.

And although we were just getting our feet wet, we’ve more than plunged in now.

Deep diving seems to be our way.

Not unusual for two water signs and especially not foreign to how I prefer to live.

~ UPDATES ~

I’ll be offline all this next week, as we entertain dear friends coming to join us for a last-days-of-Summer-hoorah together. But I’ll be back after that to share Part II of the Yosemite Pages, as there were some extra magickal experiences that unfolded now that the portal has opened there for us. Just wait and see!

I’ll leave you with this sweet custom Magick Rabbit I had curing while we were away in Yosemite.

This is the first custom I made that wanted a fully loaded garden and wildflower bunny. I added three clear and smoky quartz at the bottom to ground and amplify the energies of the flowering bundle of hope and abundant inspiration.

I’ve been wanting to make one filled with just wildflowers and blooms from the garden – I’m in LOVE! Aside from the few quartz stones I mentioned, the rest is indeed pure blossom enchantment.

I’ve now been focused on customs, as the first batch of Magick Rabbits and Crystal Tower did find loving homes. This one gives you an idea of the variety that is possible.

As I have time, I’ll probably make another new little collection of ready-to-ship bunnies – I actually have one drying right now that I made when we returned home because of the magickal inspiration flowing through.

I foraged a lot upon our return from our trips and even while away, so I have a Nature box filled to the brim with goodness I can choose from to create magickal beauties over the upcoming seasons when the ground will be going to sleep and then covered in a white blanket for a while.

Once the items are gone, I’ll need to wait until Spring to create more.

Custom Magick Rabbits available here: Magick Rabbits

I’ve continued with sessions and rabbit adoption trainings when home, so life is full while I begin to transition into a new phase of which I’m very excited about. So yes, sessions are still available, and I do have one spot still with the deeper dive of Mentor Muse immersions for support with the really challenging area that you may feel is time to change.

Stay tuned for the next installment of Yosemite musings and a very small crystal release after I return from this week of giggles and connection.

Sending waves of Earthy goodness your way. I hope that the stories and images infuse your veins with invigoration, healing, deepening, remembrance, and inspiration.