Through the dark tunnel, a light filled with dreamlike magic awaited us. As the light grew closer and closer, breaking through any darkness at all—my jaw dropped. Resplendent, all-abounding, in every inch of the valley’s surroundings; El Capitan elevated to meet the clouds, a hint of bridalveil falls crested in its resting place, and when you look a bit further, half dome a touch darker than the sky. A valley so breathtakingly beautiful no other response would have been justified. A place that seems to be in constant slow motion—if not truly. 

Dwelling further into the valley we began to hear a melodious whir throughout-a forests song of waterfalls. And as we met our first waterfall, we stood in its mist, peering above where the clouds seemed to unspool its veil, creating a thunderous choir as it cascaded through shapely boulders, before hitting the blossoming ground. A sense of astonishment and authority she provides, a centurial song suspended in a timeless tune. And to be a guest, what a true honor.