Yosemite Falls

Sometimes we go about our daily business in such a routine manner that we forget to take the opportunity to see the beauty of nature that is all a around us. We commute, we work, we shop, we cook, we plan time with family and friends and we manage the endless list of tasks that life presents each of us with. We reward ourselves with a hobby or two and we hopefully we have time left over to support causes that we are passionate about. But do we take time to occasionally escape routines and the cities and towns that most of us live in and escape to somewhere we can just bask in nature? Whether you like the ocean, mountains, lakes, forests or prairie I think it can really recharge you to get away from the routines of work and responsibilities and be somewhere where you can marvel at the beauty of our planet. It also reiterates the importance of environmental issues, taking nature for granted is foolhardy in the extreme. We now see that the by product of the industrial revolution coupled with our continued quest for convenience and consumption has left wastage and pollution while destroying resources that took thousands of years to form in the first place. Writing this in the wake of events surrounding the recent oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico makes me even more frustrated.

It is however gratifying that the last 40 years have showed an increased awareness unlike anything we’ve witnessed before in terms of environmental issues and the endorsement of ideas that can make a difference. These changes have snowballed in recent years with actions being taken by individuals, businesses and governments. The potential for real and lasting change has been realised and the continued efforts of so many at least offer cause for optimism in preserving the environment and our natural resources.

One of the most beautiful places I’ve seen in terms of (relatively) unspoiled nature is Yosemite National Park in California. The famed park covers some 750,000+ acres and while the vast majority of the land is designated as wilderness (over 95%) we still have to be concerned with the popularity of the park itself as some 3.7 million visitors visited in 2009. Its a truly majestic place with vistas that are just breathtaking and a sense of space and wild land that has to be experienced first hand. When I was there I noted that the park management were making a strong effort to preserve what makes it so special as recycling, general cleanliness and a committed diligence to keeping visitors in designated areas was noticed. Thus I was excited to read about some recent upgrades that further signal a commitment to keeping Yosemite green.

Ahwahnee Hotel

Yosemite Village is the key starting point when visiting the park and a new new, eco-friendly store called ‘Habitat’ has opened in the village.  The 1,000-square-foot shop is a model design for creative green interior design and retail expertise combined. The entire store is unique, every display fixture is created out of recycled items used in the park. Instead of racks and legs, the shop displays are supported upon tall bales of  recycled cardboard; the counter tops and display tables are made of recycled tires topped with recycled glass and reused shelving from the original Ahwahnee hotel kitchen; plus wood from a bar top was used to make the cash register counter. Its an ideal place to purchase eco-friendly products too as items on offer include; glassware from recycled bottles of wine, jewelry constructed from recycled metals or paper, and eco-designed purses that formerly lived as computer keyboards, tires or soda-can pop-tops.

Nearby an ideal place to stay is the Yosemite Lodge at The Falls, which has just opened two brand new guest rooms that feature eco-friendly design ideas.  If a success the rooms are a model for conversion at the rest of the resort. Featuring automatically controlled energy-saving cooling/ heating systems, insulation made from 85% recycled newspaper, toilets limited to just over 1 gallon per flush, and 100% organic-cotton sheets produced in a solar-powered factory.The management will be monitoring guest feedback to gauge the potential for making the other rooms incorporate the same changes. Keith Erikson, hotel general manager adds:

“A great deal of research and technology is integrated in these rooms, most of it working quietly just beneath the surface. Our guests won’t notice many of these elements, but when they cross the threshold and drop their bags, their rooms will be welcoming, comfortable, affordable and, we hope, inspiring”

If you ever have the opportunity I can’t recommend Yosemite highly enough, going back to everyday living afterward can be quite difficult after seeing such a lovely place but it can really remind you just why making an effort matters.