Weekend In Yosemite

A spontaneous camping trip to Yosemite, otherwise known as heaven…? Eric and I celebrated our one year anniversary on Monday and we decided Yosemite was the way to go. I had never done actual tent camping (that isn’t glamping, because, spoiled…) and Eric had never been to Yosemite! I grew up as a child going there almost every year but hadn’t been since I was at least thirteen and it was just as magical as I remembered.

We drove up uncomfortably early on Sunday morning with Ruby, all of our camping needs and no tent reservations. We stayed in Camp 4 at Yosemite which after a short scare of them being fully booked, ended up being the best campground… ever. We were surrounded by amaaaazingly huge trees and lush greenery and might I add the biggest (and most consistent) campfire in the entire grounds. We were also such a short walk away from the market and food court where we stocked UP on wine and all of the camping snacks.

It was soooo beautiful to look up at all the stars at night, something I hardly see living in LA. We even saw two shooting stars which is how my parents chose my name when my Mom was pregnant with me. We did the Vernal Falls hike which is about a three mile hike up to this absolutely stunning waterfall. Not to mention the fact you literally walk up the MOST misty stairs and get soaking wet by the time you reach the top. Ruby didn’t like the getting wet part but we basically went to Mordor and back. 

Our fish, Stanley, unfortunately passed the day before we left so we decided to bury him at the top of the water fall and held a tiny funeral for him. Slightly morbid but it’s the sentiment that counts. People walked by as we held his little ceremony and gave us the strangest looks. I guess I understand when you have a dog hanging in a backpack and seen talking to a tiny tiki man.

It was an amazing trip. We celebrated our last night with wine, PB&J and romantic star gazing (sounds so cheesy but it was real cute). It was such an amazing way to spend our anniversary and I can’t wait to make it an annual trip together. I’d recommend camping for an anniversary any day since you get to really connect without having to think about anything else except making each other happy and being really present together.

The things I’d recommend for camping that are absolute MUSTS would be 1- blow up mattress since comfort is everything, followed by a ton of cozy blankets and pillows. 2- Portable fans since you never know how hot and sticky it can sometimes get (depending on where you’re camping and what time of year). 3- Eye masks are great if you like to sleep in. Eric probably would’ve appreciated if I had brought a pair because I was up so early jumping on the air mattress singing that I wanted to go hiking. Dating me is fun!!! 4- Fire starter wood so you’ve got the best campfire on the block and 5- an AMAZING partner who knows how to do all the set up so you don’t have to! Kidding! Slightly…

Hope you guys try out Yosemite if you haven’t already! Comment some of your favorite places to go camping or are wanting to try!