Dictionary definition: 1. extremely impressive or daunting; inspiring great admiration, apprehension or fear. 2. extremely good; excellent
People use this word so habitually that it becomes meaningless; however today I am happy to use it myself. I have been to a place in accordance with both definitions.
What has reduced my vocabulary to a single word, uttered with a breathless wonder? I will tell you. Only a few days ago I was standing on an empty beach alongside the River Merced in the heart of Yosemite Valley, surrounded by vast slabs of granite in all directions and facing one of the world’s iconic mountains – El Capitan.
The nausea, the dizziness, the swollen ankles and shortness of breath may have been the result of mild altitude sickness – after all this valley floor is still 4,000 feet above sea level – or possibly the 4 mile hike from the village that you have to make to reach this spot if you are without a car.
Yosemite: It’s like you have arrived at the very centre of the earth, at the planet’s temple. It is strong, powerful and very moving. These rocks, those waterfalls – they came out of nothing and now stand two thousand metres high.
I have teetered on the edge of the Grand Canyon.
I have marvelled at the balancing rocks in Marble Canyon.
I have gazed in wonder at the red sandstone hoodoos of Bryce’s Amphitheatre
and shaken my head at the craziness of climbers scaling the sheer side of Angel’s Landing in Zion.
Although each and every one of these has filled me with surprise and astonishment at the unique formation of their landscape and sheer scale and size none have quite moved me like this place.
It doesn’t have to be Zen, but it is a place where you can breathe and be inspired.
Lens-Artists #65 | Pick a Place
TRAVEL WORDS 
Have I gone off the rails somewhere? I was following your San Fran posts and hit “next” 🙂
Not to worry!
I think next goes to the next blog rather than the next page 🙂
Ahh! 🙂
Oh Jude…obviously I didn’t know about your blog when you wrote this otherwise I would have been straight here! El Capitan…the first time I set eyes on it I was a young mum with little boy having not long moved to California and I was absolutely stunned by its majesty and awe. Just as you describe here. Many times we took that drive along the Merced River and took in the wonders of Yosemite. You’ve just made me homesick for the wild beauty of California…but I’m glad you did! Thank you 🙂 xx
I could live in California, but the OH couldn’t 😦
Still I am glad I have had the opportunity to visit it several times, and hopefully will again one day!
Never say never, that’s what I always say 🙂
Did you do the four mile trek to get there Jude?
We did Gilly as we didn’t have a car and the shuttle bus didn’t go out this far. A pleasant walk though, and flat on the valley floor so not arduous! And no-one else around so very peaceful.
That’ll be a yes 🙂
I’ve never been there, but your photos and your words certainly convey a uniqueness and magic to this place.
Check the link on one of my comment replies Jo, it certainly made an impression on me.
What a perfect word for this incredible place Jude. What a walk that would be. I can still remember my feeling of complete awe when we woke and looked out the bus windows. Jaw dropping breath taking beauty.
Reblogged this on TRAVEL WORDS and commented:
This week’s Lens Artists challenge is to ‘Pick a Place’ so I am reblogging an old post about a place that totally blew my mind.
It really does look awesome, Jude. Great B&W photos.
Thanks Sylvia. A place to visit if you haven’t already been there.
Yes, we’ve driven through Yosemite twice, once in July and last year in December. No time for hiking though.
It must be nice in July – wild flowers. Not so much in December!
Well, there was snow in places, so we were there in shorts, sandals and T-shirts taking photos. 😅
That was in July. 😅
Haha… I know the road over that way doesn’t open until quite late on which is why we never took that route. And why I didn’t drive myself in March as you have to carry snow chains. I wouldn’t have a clue how to put those on!
Such an iconic choice Jude. You’re so right, it is otherworldly!
The US does have some amazing national parks. I’m only sorry that I probably won’t get over to see any more.
😢
Well worth a reblog Jude I again enjoyed being taken back in time to my memories of this incredible place. Awesome is the perfect word for it
I am so glad we went there, can’t believe it was so long ago!
Time certainly flies, it is now almost 10 years since we set off in Matilda to travel around Australia
At least you got to do that. An amazing journey and one I loved reading about.
And I have all the photos and the blog to keep it alive in my memory
Yes, it is lovely to go back over old posts. I have been looking at my bench challenge recently and the comments. So many people joined in with that. Hard to believe it was 2015.
I still look at benches with nostalgia after that challenge and jack often says “there’s another bench….” 🤗
I’ve never been here. Your words, and those black and white images give a taste of what I’d find. A really evocative post.
It is a very special place. America has some of the most amazing national parks.