One afternoon while Tom and I were sitting at a local Denny’s. We were sitting in our normal red booth in the back corner away from all the older folks who were eating their Grand Slams. This is the same little booth it seems all of our random road trips seem to originate from. Over our sodas and greasy appetizers we were discussing the events from the party the evening before. We would shake our heads and comment on the ridiculous things we remember and especially had a good laugh at how every time we party with our friends Amanda and Cameron we all some how come up with all the elaborate plans on how we are going to take a week trip up to Canada. So after mentioning that we again had made plans to go on a trip to Canada and realizing none of us had Passports, we decided it would probably be good to stay a little closer to home. So we called up Amanda and Cameron while we sitting right there in our secluded booth and presented them with the opportunity to go to Yosemite National Park. They did not have time to think about it though, because as soon as we were done eating our food we were going to go pick up a few things from our apartments and head out. Of course, these kids being my normal comrades in my little excursions did not need to think about it. There was less then an hour of time elapsed between the time the seed of the spontaneous trip was planted and when it broke through the dirt on our way out of town. I drove Tom in my little 92’ crème colored Escort through town quickly, first going to my place to pick up a few things, then to Tom’s apartment. Tom, Amanda, and Cameron actually all lived in the same apartment building so as I dropped Tom off to pick up a few things I watched my other two friends come out of their doors. All of them carrying the few items for a day in Yosemite. This random thought was quickly unfolding itself full of excitement, no expectations, and a few friends just looking to make some memories.
Yosemite was about three and a half hours away from our little town. Tom was my co-captain and he manned the iPod and covered our coordinates with a fold up California Map. In the back seat Amanda and Cameron played cards and made conversation about some of our past excursions and recent party nights. I just drove and drove down the highway grinning because I was doing the things I love, chilling with my buddies and traveling. About a half an hour from the gate into Yosemite National Park we came across another Denny’s, so we took a break and got a late lunch. We sat in there for about an hour eating our burgers and excitedly talking about how much we love going on random trips like this. We joked up the people we saw in there, and recalled things we all have done in the past, and just really enjoyed our bonding time over our burgers. We headed back out realizing it was hitting about four in the evening. We reached the gate and found to get to the hiking areas it was another 21 miles. This did not seem too bad, but as we drove on the windy road up over the mountain we realized that on the other side, in the valley we were aiming for, that it would get dark very soon. The drive to the valley was beautiful and it took nearly an hour to drive because of all the turns. We would wind up one side of the mountain and get a gorgeous view of California below and then nearing the top you were surrounded by a forest clear full of green trees. As we went back down the other side into the valley, the setting sun chased us, creating the best view one could imagine. Because of our lack of planning, it was completely dark by the time we hit the valley floor. But this did not faze us at all and we then decided that we were going to spend the night in the car and hike in the morning. Now, even though this trip was unplanned it did not mean we were not prepared. I had thought this might happen, so those few items I had grabbed from my place came in handy that night! The items I chose to bring on this trip included a few pillows, blankets, and flashlights. We walked around with our flashlights in the forest for a bit playing flashlight tag. Then, we all got up on my car and stared at the stars for a few hours.
The stars there were amazing and it seemed like the sky was filled with thousands, thanks to the fact there was little light pollution in the area. As we felt the moisture and the coldness of the night set in we all piled back into my car, got comfy, and played some card games. By midnight we were all sleeping in odd positions making the best out of the little space there was in the car. 
Morning came and we all woke up as the bright, orange sun was peaking over the mountains. We drove over to the little village they had for tourists and picked up some hot coffee, stale bagels, and free grape jelly packets. We proceeded to eat our little breakfast on the back of my car, while enjoying the mountain view and also the idea that only 200 miles away lay our small college town. Filled with only a light breakfast, but much more enthusiasm, we headed out for the trails. We picked a trail that was five miles long one-way and was moderately difficult, but the fun part came when we got to the end destination. Normally a massive waterfall, nearing the end of summer was left only at a trickle. We climbed over the rocks at the bottom of this waterfall, looking for the easiest ways to get to the trickling water. We darted this way and that way between, over, under, and around the rocks for about an hour.
Some of the rocks were tiny, like decorative rocks people use in their yards, while others were massive boulders the size of fast food restaurants. We were excited to find that because there was still a little water coming down the mountain, that there was a small, but deep pond at the bottom of the falls. We all slid down a huge rock right into the ice cold water and went for a swim. We swam there for about an hour enjoying the cold, but relaxing sensation the water had on our sore muscles. 
Then we all climbed out and laid on a huge boulder sun bathing to dry off. While we sat there we basked in the accomplishment of how great, yet another, one of our spontaneous trips was going. The sun was nearing the mountaintops on the west side of the valley and we knew we needed to soon head back down, so not to be caught in the dark. The sky had become a bluish-purple towards the end our trail and though it was quite dim we got back safe and sound. We knew our time here would have to end soon, though we could not bring ourselves to finish it. We drove back to the top of the mountain. This mountain was the gate to the valley full of our, now, amazing memories. At the top, we found an opening in the trees and parked the car. Knowing we would soon have to return to the dull cycle of our daily lives, we were reluctant to call our adventure to an end. So one last time, we lived in the moment and just relaxed and stared at the stars for a while.
These trips my friends and I take have no expectations, yet they always turn out amazing. Not planning allows us to live in the moment and enjoy all the little things that do come our way. Trips like these teach us to appreciate what we have in life and the bond we have created with each other. These excursions I took with my friends will always be in my memories. It allows me to have a connection with the places we went and upon return I get flooded with the memories of my friends. Times like these are what make life exciting. Putting little effort into them leaves out the stress that most planned out trips create. If I expect little then everything will amaze me, if I regret nothing then I will have no worries, if I live life to the fullest then I will create memories I can cherish forever… these are the things I learned that summer of 2009. These are the things that I will always carry with me though out my life. So, when life takes those unexpected turns, who knows, maybe I can make a spontaneous choice that will leave me wanting to just bask in the moment and stare at the stars again.
Five more things about me...
6. My friends mean the world to me!
7. I always dress for comfort
8. I love to make people laugh and smile
9. I like the colors purple, blue, and green
10. I really don’t like bugs!
<3 Lynz
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