- Expedition: May 16-21, 2010
- Jonathan
- Venture Academy
- Yosemite National Park
In a society as advanced as ours it’s very easy to forget about nature’s undisturbed form. It’s so terribly easy to not think about the vast forest, the majestic mountains, and the amazing creatures that used to live where the new Walmart superstore stands. WildLink is a program that helps me focus on nature in its savage, breathtaking and awe-inspiring form. Up here in Yosemite there are no deadlines to be met. The only thing you have to do is push yourself. Push yourself to stop thinking about everything you left at home. You have to push yourself to look, listen, to ultimately become lost in the spirit of Yosemite.
In my short lifetime, I have had my share of fulfilling experiences. Experiences full of challenges that often felt overwhelming but in the end the satisfaction of making it through the obstacles became an invaluable reward. Hiking in the rugged, unfinished wilderness will be one of my most cherished moments. With every forced step, with every uneasy breath and fluttering fear there comes a torrent of wonder and awe. I don’t know if it’s possible to completely understand the infinite beauty of nature in its complete and unaltered form. However, I do know that until you’ve actually had to push yourself to make it to that al elusive destination, you will never begin to understand that beauty. This beauty that I see is far more than the sculpture rock and echoing chorus of wind, water, and singing birds. The beauty of Yosemite is in the change that occurs inside of you. A change that erodes away every insignificant goal of becoming the best and greatest. When you are here, all you want to do is pause and watch.
