ah, yosemite. so perfect, so complex, and yet so very simple. you were just what g and i needed to clear our minds and let go.

our trip to yosemite exceeded any, and all, expectations we held. it was a bare-bones type of adventure, one where the only concern hinged on whether we finished hiking before nightfall. for the first time in a long time, i felt unrestrained. like i didn't have to do this or that, follow this plan or that one. i was free. yosemite does that to people. it just plants itself there in the middle of california, and changes people. really changes people.

here are some highlights of our trip, one that i can say brought me back to a simple self (and naturally, more in love with that peruvian guy).

what day of hiking is complete without homemade granola?

on our way to something good

we made it

you better believe we set our things down...

...and jumped into the river at the end of the day

finishing the day off right

go here for one of the greatest viewpoints of the valley. period.

this was the kind of trip where an anticipated five-mile hike turned into a 12-mile hike, where water was a luxury and clif bars a treat. it was inspiring, full, and soul-satisfying. just a few days back from the trip, and i still feel like i'm on top of the world. yep, yosemite does that to people.