Day 1 - getting there

We had to delay our trip due to wildfire smog. We had to pick up permits in person pre-COVID, so we drove to Yosemite, saw dense fog, got our permits, and drove back.

A few days later, we planned to start early, so we drove halfway to Yosemite and stayed at a hotel. When we got there, we realized Nastia had forgotten her hiking shoes. We had a choice: come back home or delay the trip. Or try to buy hiking shoes somewhere close by. It was scary, because new shoes might not fit and ruin the entire trip. So I asked Nastia, “Have you ever had issues with hiking shoes, not boots?” And the answer was “no”. So we decided to take the chance. Still, had to drive back about an hour to the closest sports goods store. Long story short - these were Nastia’s favorite hiking shoes for years! :)

Adventures of the first day haven’t stopped there. On the way to the starting point, somewhere on 120 above the valley, someone was pulling out of a vista spot and cut in front of us. Brakes screamed, adrenaline rushed. But we were able to stop… This, thankfully, was the last adventure on the way to the trailhead.

We started from Toulumne Meadows. It wasn’t foggy, despite our fears of wildfires that were still active down in the valley. The day started very memorably. It was such a relief to start going after all the obstacles on the way! Nothing holding us back, only a few weeks ahead of us - seemed like eternity, no end in sight. A path towards a new, simpler life.

Foggy views of Yosemity national park after picking up our permit.