great takes on family travel in the U.S.

I have a fear of small confined spaces. When in this kind of situation my heart starts to race and I am filled with a deep primal panic that dismisses all rational thought. So, why I ever decided to go caving in Yosemite recently is a mystery. I often commit to daring or unique adventures before considering what it is I am actually involving myself in. I owe this tendency to the fact that I am an “experience junky”. I love to try new things, to see the world from a new perspective, to get outside my comfort zone. It makes life interesting…and usually makes for a great story too!

So, last weekend my husband and I accompanied a co-worker (and avid caver) to the Stanislaus National Forest located on Yosemite’s doorstep. The objective of the weekend was to find remote areas with promising topography (in which caves were likely to be found) and bush-wack off trail in search of these “said” caves. Then, upon discovery, crawl inside and explore or start digging if the opening is too small. I came prepared with my headlamp, bug repellent, some old clothes, and tons of enthusiasm.

It was a lot of fun. But, I did learn a thing or two that I feel I should pass on to all you adventurous travelers out there. If you are thinking of going on a wild caving expedition in the near future, here are some tips:

1. Claustrophobia and caving…not a good combination.
2. When climbing in rocky unstable environments below ground, it would be a good idea to bring a helmet.
3. If bush-wacking through a forest; either cover yourself from head to toe or embrace the fact that you will be covered in poison oak.
4. It is essential to bring cold beer for the end of the day!

While some of the realities of caving came as a surprise, I did find it to be rather exhilarating! There is a great sense of adventure, a thrill of possibly discovering new territory…which is very rare this day and age. I admire the boldness and hard work that are required to pursue this sport. But, I will admit, it is probably not the sport for me!

After spending an afternoon, belly crawling into the “unknown”, we managed to explore nearby Yosemite National Park. There are a lot of great places to visit in California and Yosemite has always been high on my list. The drive into the park is worth the trip alone. We took the Hwy 120 entrance and followed a raging river up the valley until Half Dome came into view. It is an awe-inspiring vista that brings out the shutterbug in anyone who appreciates nature. Late spring is a good time to visit Yosemite as the snow in the mountains is beginning to melt and results in a profusion of waterfalls. We counted at least eight on our trip, tumbling over cliff edges high above and cascading down the rocky mountain face.

There is a world of beauty to be explored in the back country of the park, however, there is also plenty to be seen just steps from your car. Bridal Veil Falls is a pretty spectacular water fall with an uncanny resemblance to a gauzy wedding veil. There are also a lot of scenic campgrounds and lodges throughout the park. They seem to fill up pretty fast on weekends.

I would also recommend the campground where we stayed. It was called Yosemite Pines and was a 20 minute drive from the park, outside the charming little town of Groveland. The campsites were spacious and surrounded by giant pine trees. They had R.V. sites as well. There were nice bathrooms with hot showers and a general store that sold snacks and useful camping gear. I even saw a petting zoo! I am not sure why these farm animals lived on-site, but, it seemed to be a big hit with the kids. There were goats, llamas, and a donkey that brayed every morning, like clockwork.

It is hard to believe that all this natural beauty and remote wilderness exists within 180 miles of the crowds and bustle of the Bay Area. But it does and is not to be missed. Whether you are looking for a new adventure, a relaxing nature getaway or something in between, Yosemite is a great weekend getaway destination. I plan to go back, just as soon as I get over this case of poison oak!