Yosemite National Park

August 5-8, 2008

Yosemite National Park is one of the most beautiful places on our planet. The views from Glacier Point, Sentinel Dome, and Half Dome are breathtaking. It was comparable to Ellie's mystical flight in the film Contact, when she couldn't describe in words the beauty of the universe. "They should have sent a poet... so beautiful.. so beautiful..." The highlight of the trip occurred Wednesday, August 6, when dad, Stephen, and I, hiked a little over 8 miles, 4800ft elevation from the valley floor, up to Half Dome. It took about 12 hours and I barely made it back, having to ask two people along the trail for food because I was hiking on 3 Clif Bars the entire day. It was incredible at the top, and I thanked God for the grueling experience. Beautiful and majestic as the view was, I knew that that wasn't the substance of the experience. It was knowing the Creator who made it all. Every transcendent experience we go through should deepen our understanding, awe, and fear of the One who started it all.

"Sing to the LORD, all the earth! Tell of his salvation from day to day. Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples! For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised, and he is to be held in awe above all gods. For all the gods of the peoples are idols, but the LORD made the heavens. Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and joy are in his place. Ascribe to the LORD, O clans of the peoples, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength! Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; bring an offering and come before him! Worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness; tremble before him, all the earth; yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved. Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice, and let them say among the nations, "The LORD reigns!" Let the sea roar, and all that fills it; let the field exult, and everything in it! Then shall the trees of the forest sing for joy before the LORD, for he comes to judge the earth. Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!" (1 Chronicles 16:23-34 ESV)