Here and There

I’ve lived in San Francisco for nine years, and I lived in NYC for four years before that. While I enjoy my new home, here are some things I miss about the Big Apple. 1. The energy. The second I arrive in New York, I’m energized by the size of the buildings, the number of people (~10x more than in San Francisco), and the seemingly unlimited number of things to do. New York truly is a city that never sleeps. Whether you’re up at 6 am or out until 4 am, you can find something exciting to do. 2.  The summers. San Francisco weather is mild and pleasant most of the year, but I really miss warm summer days (and nights). While it rarely reaches 80 degrees Fahrenheit (26 degrees Celsius) in San Francisco, New York summers are sweltering. Since New Yorkers know their warm weather isn’t going to last, people also make the most of the season with outdoor movie screenings, alfresco dining, rooftop get-togethers, and more. 3. The public transportation system. Sure, we have public ...

Yosemite is one of America’s great national parks. And one of the park’s best features is its waterfalls. On my last trip to Yosemite, I hiked up the Mist Trail to see Vernal and Nevada Falls. On this trip, I decided to do the Four-Mile Trail for views of Yosemite Falls. The Four-Mile Trail’s name is a little deceptive, as it’s about 4.8 miles one-way. After soaking in vistas of Yosemite Falls and El Capitan, you end up at Glacier Point, where you can finally see Half Dome. Glacier Point can be crowded, as many visitors drive here instead of hiking.  If you have energy after your ascent, you can return to your starting point for a 9.6-mile hike. Or, if you’re tired, you can take the free park shuttle back to the Valley (open seasonally). I loved this hike and seeing the waterfall from this vantage point. Next time, I’ll try the Yosemite Falls Trail for even closer waterfall views.