When I was alone It is noisy in Yosemite Valley. At ten o'clock, I can hear three large parties, two sets of children running about, all the people in the seven or so units near me and numerous car doors opening and closing. Occasionally someone chops wood. I don't like it. I did like the quiet of Tuolomne Meadows. I rafted on the creek, tied up on a log, then drank a Foster's. I'd gone across the creek, to the side where I'd seen people only down near camp. Turns out that I was on the spit of land between tributaries. The only way to it was by fording the creek (or boating across!), and I avoided the people I had seen because they'd crossed over the main creek on a rock bridge. I got to be alone. The water was cold, the sun slightly overcast, so I left the raft tied to the log and climbed ashore to explore. I brought my pack and my other beer. I walked very lightly. All around the embankment were flowers with blue, pea or bean like flowers, and smooth leaves. I learned later they were lupines. After I went further, I saw wild strawberry plants, many squished looking broad leafed plants, and some grasses. The conifers were not tall, perhaps 40 feet at most. I tried to stay on the trail, but it kept ending, or changing direction inexplicably. I went on and came to a large smooth rock floor, polished by the river. Only here did I see indications of human activity. I saw well-eroded bicycle tracks and one set of boot prints. And in the middle of the stone, two holes had been drilled. They were old. As I turned back to the trail, I saw movement. I had been so sure of my solitude! But it was not a human intruder. It was a deer, following the path, nervously watching to make sure I would not attack. I looked at the trail with new comprehension. As a deer path, it went very obvious places– to this calm secluded watering place, to that stand of trees, then fanning into several ends as it approached a meadow. I left the deer alone and climbed rocks. I did find a piece of trash, which I felt good removing. The rock pile was only about 300 feet high, but it was sheltered on top and had many trees standing only about twice my height. I sat there, being alone, expriencing silence, feeling no pressure to get on and do something. Eventually I drank the other beer.
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