Inspired by Nature: Yosemite
Snuggled in the Sierra Nevadas, Yosemite National Park is a destination of many a bucket list. It's breathtaking falls, tall and proud Sequoias, and its deep canyons echo the sounds of a time long before. The stories of many walks of man are written in the ancient rocks as the natural flora and fauna run wild around them, undisturbed and primal. The smell of fresh, sweet water mingles with the earthy smell of the ground as the wind gushes by. The black bear, bobcat, and the Sierra Nevada bighorn sheep walk the same trails as their ancestors before them. It is life at its most simple, at its most beautiful and pure.
The groundbreaking story of Yosemite reverberates through in its canyons. The story begins long before present day, stretching back thousands of years to when Yosemite was settled by the Ahwahnechee tribe. Thousands of years later, when the Gold Rush struck, the beauty of Yosemite was discovered by the European-Americans who went West to chase their fortune. It wasn’t long until various news stories and illustrations of the land stretched far and wide.
The awe of this natural landscape inspired influential people to pursue every measure to protect this exquisite land. Concerned that this resplendent space might be upturned by commercial interests, two prominent citizens, Galen Clark and Senator John Conness, helped prepare a bill to safeguard the historic land. This became the Yosemite Grant, which was the first instance of park land being set aside for preservation and public use, signed in by Abraham Lincoln himself. The beauty of Yosemite laid the foundation for preservation efforts all over the United States and lead to our current National Parks programs.
There is so much beauty to take in at Yosemite, it’s hard to know where to begin. Every trip must include a visit to Half Dome, a strenuous but lifechanging trek to look far and wide at the majesty of the physical landscape. For many, it’s a transcendent experience. Take in the panoramic vistas at Glacier Point and see Yosemite Valley, Half Dome, and Yosemite Falls. No visit is complete without time spent in the Mariposa Grove. Hug the giant Sequoias and marvel at their thousand-plus years of age. Wander through the California Tunnel Tree, which is a Sequoia that features a man-made tunnel through the center of its trunk. Then, visit the Fallen Monarch, the oldest Sequoia in the forest which fell several decades ago to be nestled by the ground below in its repose. Finally, head to the Tuolumne Meadows and venture down the parks less traveled path. Close your eyes and feel the peace of quiet, smell the green of the lush landscape, and listen to the bubbling rivers and creeks.
Yosemite National Park is not only filled with the memories of the ancients but also the memories of a family vacation, a week of hikes with friends, or a place of contemplation and peace for one single human spirit. Go back there with our Yosemite candle. Smell the crisp fresh air of Half Dome, the lush green of Tuolumne Meadow, and the woodsy fragrance of the grand Sequoias. Go back any time you want to relive the memories or reinhabit the peace and beauty of the earth.