Tuesday, some work peeps and I did an early celebration for my departure. We enjoyed some Hawaiian food at a place called Pa’Ina, explored Japantown, and took some freaking cute pictures.

It is such a blessing to have worked with these ladies these past three months. They have welcomed me in with open arms and have made me feel like a part of the team.

Goodbyes are the more bitter bits of this gig, but there will always be a sweetness in remembering the shared moments with this work crew.

Friday was my last CrossFit workout at Telegraph, my box for the last three months.

I learned a lot, I grew a lot, and fell back in love with CrossFit all over again.

After the workout, one of the coaches handed me a shirt from their box. She said that my dedication and consistency had been noticed, so all the coaches wanted to give me something to congratulate me.

They didn’t know it was my last workout before then. It was just a perfectly timed gift and it warmed my heart to the core. Words of Affirmation and Gifts are my top love languages and they bullseyed them both.

At the crack of dawn Saturday morning, I woke up to head to the meeting place for my 2-day Yosemite Park tour!

This was our ride for the weekend! The guide company has vehicles that run on biofuels (recycled cooking oil)!

Umm…YES!

Our group was compiled of people from London, Australia, Mumbai, and Tokyo. Our tour guide, Nicole, was from Nashville. We were quite the eclectic clan and I loved every second of it.

We first rode out to Yosemite to explore the Giant Sequoias in the Tuolumne Grove.

Those are some big trees, guys.

Like, really big.

Like, crawl through kind of big.

Like, walk through kind of big.

You get the idea.

So many interesting signs were posted around the park.

For good reason though. See that brown speck in the middle there?

Yep. That’s a black bear (funny thing is that they really aren’t that black here).

No big deal or anything.

From there, we drove to an outlook that displayed a beautiful view of El Capitan on the left and Bridalveil Fall on the right.

El Capitan is the supposed Mecca of rock climbing. To put in perspective how tall it is at its highest, three Empire State Buildings stacked on top of each other still wouldn’t reach the top.

That’s tall, guys. And people CLIMB it. I won’t lie, I’ve missed bouldering and hearing the stories I did certainly didn’t help alleviate that longing.

We then headed over to Glacier Point, where we got a great view of the northface of Half Dome (look familiar? It’s what North Face’s logo is modeled after) on the left and Yosemite Fall on the right.

Sunday, we headed out at 8a for a free day of exploring Yosemite Valley. I decided to hike the most difficult hike in the Valley: Vernal Fall. Luckily, I didn’t have to face it alone. Andy and Sue, a couple in the group visiting from London, were interested in hiking it too, so we joined forces.

After a cup of liquid courage (a.k.a Starbucks), we were off.

The beginning of the hike gave us a taste of what was to come: all uphill and all the cardio.

Several times, Andy and Sue urged me to press on and not slow my pace for them. Eventually, I mustered forward, thinking I left them behind.

Well, after a stop to shed layers, hydrate, and enjoy the view, who do I see ahead of me resting on a rock? Those two rascals! They flew by me without me noticing!

We stopped on a bridge to take in the river rushing past us and gaze up at our destination. That white blur peeking out through the trees behind me is Vernal Fall.

We continued on until we reached Mist Trail, a series of stone steps that would lead us to the top of Vernal.

Up…

…up…

…up…

…the stairs I went! Those puppies were not easy, let me tell you. Steep, slippery, and more than three of them. If I hadn’t known better, I’d have thought I was ascending up to the entrance of Shelob’s lair.

Luckily, I had some beautiful sights to assure me that I was approaching one of the most popular Falls in the park, not a giant spider.

Soaked, I finally reached the top.

As I peered over the edge, I saw the path below and all the souls that were braving the perilous trek.

After a few minutes, who do I see breaking upon the top of the falls but Andy and Sue, hand in hand.

Sue was unsure if she would be able to master the trail due to her health, but she proved to be one resilient lady! Whatever they are putting in the tea over in England, I want what she’s having!

We headed back towards the trailhead a different way, which brought us up and over Vernal.

It is hard to see, but right above my fuzzy finger is a rock climber, resting within that whitish craggy area.

As far as things I have done while I have lived in San Francisco, the order goes like this: in third place, going to the San Francisco Giants game, in second, my Los Angeles birthday trip, and in first, this trip.

The woods and mountains overwhelm me. They stir up in me a wanderlust that leaves me restless, they fill me with the purest peace on this side of Heaven, they make me incandescently happy.

Though my body is tired, my soul is refreshed and alive. I am ready for this week of goodbyes, one-last-times, and endings.

Like the wildfires set intentionally to help regrowth, I am ready to make room for whatever lies in store for me next.