My experiments with the blog

It always amazes me how beautiful the nature is and makes me really think hard that how can such a thing be created without any slightest of contributions from human beings. Human specie has all the brains and power in this world with which he can develop the most complicated of things and to finish of with a mind blowing aesthetics. A human being can think hard, take his own time, use all his skills, latest technology, gadgets and come up with a marvelous design for a product but nothing can beat nature's creation, there's no comparison at all.

Well, this time I was swayed away by the breathtaking beauty of Sequoia National Park and Yosemite National Park. After coming to US and visiting different beautiful places(even in India), I always used to think that how much more beautiful a place can be but now I have realised that until unless one doesn't see with his or her own eyes, one cannot even estimate how astounding that place can be!

Thanks giving holidays were round the corner and couple of my friends , Arun and Sanket, planned for this trip. I give whole credit to them for making this trip a successful one where I would say my contribution was the least. So we got off from work in the afternoon, got our backpacks and started our journey to these national parks. Thanks to the San Diego crowd that made us took four and a half hours to reach L.A. which otherwise is just one and half our drive. We made a quick stop in L.A. to pick one of our friends, Vaiju and proceeded towards Sequoia first.

Sequoia National Park is famous for its giant magnanimous trees and above all for the General Sherman Tree which is the world's biggest tree and is still growing in volume. So it was a treat to be at such a place and all along enjoynig the scenic drive meandering its way through the hills and dense forests. We also climbed on a huge rock named Moro rock which is at heights of roughly 6,700 feet and one has to climb 400 steps to reach at the top. It really tested our physical fitness which anyways is not in the best of shapes but still we managed somehow and made it to the top. When we were at the visitor center enquiring about the places to visit in the park then one of the officials advised us to go to Moro rock and told us in a very gentle laughing manner that children usually run and climb the steps in 10 minutes. I am still wondering which child can climb those mighty steps in 10 minutes.

Anyways, after covering the giant trees we headed for Yosemite Nataional Park which is famous for its waterfalls, lakes, huge rocks, hiking and biking trails and last but not the least wildlife, so there was plenty to cover for us in two days. First of all we decided to hike to the Vernal Falls for which one has to climb 1000 feet in 1.5 miles. We thought that it would be an easy hike for all of us but the moment we started, the steep hike really started taking its toll on us. Initially our hike started with a smooth concrete well maintained trail but as soon as we reached the half way there was a strenuous climb through the steps that were totally unmanned. It was a challenge to reach at the top of the fall and it took around an hour to reach at the top. We were finally happy that we made it inspite of being deprived of good physical fitness The beauty of the fall from the top and of the surroundings was breathtaking and pleasant sight for the eyes, but now after spending around half an hour at the top was the toughest part, to go back down through those mighty steps. Looking straight down through the valley scared the hell out of me so I started slowly and cautiously step by step and I thought this way it will take ages to reach down but the very moment one couple went pass by me going down the steps very comfortably, that too at a very good pace. I observed the technique they followed and gave me a bit of confidence so I also replicated them and eventually succeded in covering the distance at a fast pace. In 10 minutes I reached half way and in another 15 minutes I was at the bottom from where we all started. Beside getting to see the nature's beauty it was also a pefect opportunity for me to test my physical fitness and thats why I made a point at the very beginning to climb up and down fast, I won't say that I did an excellent job but I was not also disappointed. This activity gave me a sense that I have to start working again on my fitness. Well, on the subsequent day we rented bicycles and covered quite a few visitor spots of the park. Driving a bicycle after a long time and that too through the eye soothing beautiful trails was the best part of the trip, ofcourse drinking beers in the night and laughing endlessly making fun of each other was also the best part but still the bicycle part was an awesome experience. I hope Sanket didn't feel offended because of my senseless and endless laughing ;) Sirji, maafi!!

Apart from all these activities, I would say that these two places were a photographer's paradise. One can sit all day long and still not finish taking pictures. Wherever one sees will find a spot for capturing breathtaking views. The picturesque all around was amazing and I hope Arun must have enjoyed and learnt a lot from this trip with his newly bought SLR. I have uploaded some more pictures on the link below

Visit to Sequoia & Yosemite National Park

After learning about photography from Homarjun back in school days, I always look for an opportunity like this where I could learn more and improve my skills but this time I was handicapped as I still don't have my own camera though here and there I used both Arun's and Sanket's camera. I think I will have to wait a bit more. In the end I would say it was an awesome experience for me and I would again thank Arun and Sanket for making this trip to happen.