There are many wonderful things about living in the Bay Area. As a nature-loving newcomer to the region, I am in awe of how close we now live to incredible open spaces, including national park gems. In honor of National Park Week—running from April 18 – 26—I wanted to share a few resources to virtually celebrate America’s treasured places.
Let’s start by enjoying from home the one destination I cannot wait to visit in person soon: Yosemite! As of March 20, the national park has been closed due to coronavirus; and yet, coyotes, bobcats, and bears are having a grand time reclaiming the space without people.
Take a virtual tour at virtualyosemite.org to experience the richness and grandeur of the stunning scenery. *Note: if the link doesn’t work it could be due to a high volume of visitors to the website. Continue reading to experience my favorites from the tour.
Sit alongside Summit Meadow to enjoy its blooming wildflowers. As dusk settles in, you can enjoy Yosemite’s high country along the Tioga Pass Road with views and sounds of Tuolumne Meadows at night. Stand at Vernal Falls overlook along the Mist Trail to feel the dramatic waterfall drop and rush of mountain springs cascading over the boulders.
It’s easy to get lost in the virtual outdoors with its spectacular panoramic sights and nature sounds. This tour offers tons of options for exploring multiple locations throughout the park. Hover too long and you’ll be ported to another fascinating part of the park. Stopping to gaze at poppies in bloom while “hiking” trails creates a serene moment disconnected from time and place.
There are other national parks offering virtual tours, from Crater Lake to the National Mall and more. As you virtually visit more parks this week, join the social media chatter as you #FindYourPark in honor of #NationalParkWeek!
Photo: Aniket Deole via Unsplash
