Olivet Nazarene University Senior Kyle Petersen chose to skip the beach this Spring break, and instead head for America’s National Parks, or what historian Wallace Stegner referred to as “the best idea we ever had.”
In March, I had the opportunity to travel with a great group of friends to Yosemite and Sequoia National Parks for a photography trip of a lifetime. Going on a big trip like this was always a goal of ours, but we never had the time or money to make it happen. After two years of planning and saving, we finally pulled the trigger. Amidst all the warnings telling us not to go because of the extreme snowstorms, we still went. The extreme snowstorms that hit the parks a week prior ended up being a huge blessing as we were able to experience both parks with limited crowds, allowing us to visit so many more places than we had originally planned for.
Each one of us challenged ourselves not only in our photography but also in our physical abilities, all taking on hikes that pushed us to our limits. Our first hike up to Columbia Rock in Yosemite quickly topped my list of favorites. It wasn’t just the stunning scenery that took my breath away, but also the shared laughs and mutual support with a great group of friends that made it an experience to remember.
Ending our trip at Sequoia National Park was the perfect closure to an already amazing week. It is one thing to see pictures of the giant sequoia trees, but until you step foot next to them, you never realize how truly spectacular they are. The 5th largest tree in the world, named “The President,” is 3,240 years old, 1,216 years older than Christ! Getting to walk up to and place your hand on something that old leaves you in absolute awe of God’s creation.
As the trip drew to a close, we found ourselves reflecting on every aspect of our adventure. From the unexpected blessings of a snowstorm to the challenging hikes that led to amazing views , every moment was a testament to perseverance and friendship. This trip definitely surpassed our expectations, leaving us with thousands of photographs and the kind of memories that only come from embracing challenges and jumping into adventure!
