WildLink Family Weekend 2005

On November 4, 2005 35 people came together for our free annual WildLink Family Weekend. The group consisted of WildLink alumni from the 2004-2005 school year and their families. We spent the weekend hiking, eating, laughing, learning, and sharing our stories. Read on to hear about the families' experiences in their own words, and to see some of the images from our favorite WildLink event of the year.

The attendees also shared some of their favorite family recipes, which you can view by clicking here on our WildLink Family Cookbook.

What I Want to Remember Most: A Group Journal by WildLink Families

-The eagle perched on the waterfall recording the memory of the day’s journey.

-That when bears, in the summer, eat blackberries their scat turns Technicolor.

-Going up the steps to Vernal Falls.

-The experiences I had on my day walk around the valley and up to Yosemite Falls. It looked really cool and I wish I could see it in full action in the spring.

-How hard it was hiking up the Vernal Falls, but how it was all worth it when I finally got to the top and saw it up close; it was beautiful.

-The experience of being in the woods at nighttime, looking at the constellations in the clear sky; also the wonderful people I met.

-What I came here for. I love being out here. I don’t want to forget my personal drive. It means a lot to me, too much to explain, but I will remember inside. I guess that is all that counts, forget what is said and forget what is done.

-The peacefulness I feel when I’m here. I feel very at home and comfortable. I love it!

-The two squirrels that were up in a yellowish, red tree this morning at about 6:30. It was replenishing.

-Getting the family out for a good outing that all enjoyed.

-The amazing view atop Vernal Falls. The climb was worth it!

-Walking around Yosemite Valley for the first time and having a chance to look around as I liked. I did not have anything else to worry about (like kids…).

-How my legs were shaking as I walked down the trail.

-The bear we saw on our way over here.

-The scene of the waterfall.

-How kind the people at Yosemite were to me.

-The solitary feeling of the meadow near Sentinel Bridge.

-The feeling of the fire and a friend.

-Mandy’s warm and caring attitude that shines always.

-The beautiful evergreen trees in the park.

-Reaching the top of Vernal Falls and saying, “Let’s eat.”

-When I saw Vernal Falls and wanted to jump off it “but not die!”

-The setting of the stars in the night with the darkness surrounding the woods; the cold that penetrated my body and the warmth of people who I met, letting me forget about the wild for instance; the hike who pumped my heart with joy to resist getting all the way to the top where the sky seems to be closer to me. Thank you for this wonderful experience.