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The time is now to enjoy the splendor of national treasures in our back yard.
by Marek Warszawski
Fresno Bee - May 19, 2002
The sun is shining, the breeze is blowing, the birds are chirping and the
mosquitoes aren't biting ... yet.
Summer in the Sierra Nevada has arrived in all its splendor.
So put away the potato chips and the remote control. Let the weeds grow another day. Because where we're going, the colors are more vivid than anything on your TV (yes, even High-Definition) and Mother Nature is the only gardener.
What better reason to live in the central San Joaquin Valley?
When friends from Los Angeles and the Bay Area begin their Fresno-bashing, I reply only with a knowing nod.
Because while they're stuck in traffic, choking on exhaust fumes beginning their five-hour commute to the mountains, I'm cruising along a country highway.
The Sierra is my personal playground.
It could be yours, too.
And the bell for recess just rang.
Here in Yosemite, the road to Glacier Point is open to vehicle traffic. Highway 120 over Tioga Pass and through Tuolomne Meadows opens Wednesday.
In the Sierra National Forest, Kaiser Pass Road to Edison and Florence lakes opened Monday.
At Kings Canyon and Sequoia national parks, everything is open with the exception of Mineral King, which should be ready to go by Memorial Day weekend.
People travel from all over the world to reach destinations accessible to Fresnans by a scenic two-hour drive.
Lucky you.
Now take advantage. Get out there.
According to a 1999 study, 76% of Yosemite's visitors came from the United States. Of that group, 70% were Californians.
The study didn't break down California visitors by region, but there's anecdotal evidence to suggest Fresnans, despite their proximity to one of nature's greatest wonders, are missing out.
(A similar study revealed that only 1.4% of all overnight visitors in Yosemite were from Fresno, compared to 12.5% from the Bay Area. Of course, there's no need for Fresnans to stay overnight when they can visit for the day.)
Just last weekend, Deb Schweizer, a park public information officer, visited Fresno to purchase a car.
"Oh, you work in Yosemite," the salesman, a lifelong Fresnan, told Schweizer. "I haven't been there since I was 10."
John Muir just rolled over in his grave.
People often cite overcrowding as a reason not to visit Yosemite, especially in the peak summer months.
My reply: Heck, enjoy it with them.
To prove a point, I dragged four friends (each of them seasoned Sierra ramblers) to the Mist Trail, which on average sees 1,900 hikers during a typical summer day.
Let's just say there was plenty of grumbling.
In between joking about how long it must have taken the Miwoks (Yosemite's original inhabitants) to "carve" the concrete path leading to the Vernal Fall bridge and avoiding foreign tourists wearing dress shoes and high heels, something strange happened:
The crowds melted away, and we began to revel in the scenery.
I probably have marched up these soggy steps 30 times, usually on the way to Half Dome and points beyond.
Never have they failed to bring a smile to my face, even if it's one of the teeth-chattering variety. Especially this time of year, when the falls are in full glory.
Frolicking in the spray and sun, carefully picking my way toward the top, I couldn't help but feel lucky to be here. And judging by the unbridled joy of my once-blasé friends, I know they shared the excitement.
All this, a short drive from my doorstep.
Standing alongside the Silver Apron, watching the waters of the Merced River slide by before plunging to the Valley floor, a friend saw me scribble in my notebook.
"Are you sure you want to remind your readers about this place?" he said. "There's enough people up here already."
"Yes,"
I said. "Yes, I do."
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