Return to Balance

Yes, I know, Return to Balance was the title of Ron Kauk's film which, of course, was filmed in Yosemite, but it concisely describes how I feel at the moment. For example, today I worked a full day, rode my bike to the village store, went for a run in the dark, made zucchini bread, surfed the internet, and emailed/interacted with friends. I can't remember the last time I did all of those different things in a single day. As most of you know, I'm finishing my PhD thesis and have just moved to Yosemite. And while, I'm happy to be done with my thesis, the whole process of writing it is completely draining. A singular focus on one thing, no exercise, no fun... all for a 300-page document that maybe 3 people will read. Maybe. Totally anticlimatic. Just get it done.

And that's how I arrived on Monday night... not even excited to be arriving, not sad to be leaving Berkeley and many loved ones behind, none of that. Don't misunderstand what I'm saying... it's not that I don't miss people, didn't have a fantastic time in Berkeley, and wasn't totally excited about spending the winter in Yosemite, doing *science*, no less. There was simply no room in my brain for reflection and anticipation. I was totally out of balance.

But really, none of that is the point of this blog. The point is that, well, moving here is very interesting to me, and mildly interesting to you (obviously, you're reading this!). I know that about 4 people will read this blog and 2 of them are my parents. I'm not really a journal keeper, and I don't think of myself as so highly interesting as to deserve a biography. Yet, I'm getting some interesting questions from people about my experience, and frankly, I'm finding moving here to be, well, amusing. It is different than any other place I lived, in a good way. It's not similar to Berkeley, not similar to the small towns in Vermont or Wyoming where I've lived, and not similar to visiting Yosemite as a tourist/climber/weekend warrior. It's just not. Kind of in the same way that college is not like any other place, but this is not like college either. And so, I have something to write about.

And so, without further ado (or further unnecessary verbosity!), I'll introduce my life here in Yosemite!

Starting with some quick answers:

1. No, I'm not a park ranger. I don't do bus tours or give talks to tourists either. I'm a geologist. That's right, I do science. What does that mean? Well, without going into much detail, lets just say I'm doing almost exactly the same thing I've been doing for the last 4 or so years in Berkeley. What is that exactly? I'll get to it later, in another blog post.

2. No, I haven't gone climbing yet. I just got here!

3. Yes, they plow the roads in winter. Well, some of the roads. But it doesn't snow much in El Portal anyway. More on that later.

4. Yes, I live in El Portal. No, that is not Yosemite Valley, it is 10 miles downstream in the Merced River Canyon (west) of Yosemite Valley. There are park offices here, and also a fair number of residents. My commute every day is like 1 mile on a bicycle. Maybe less. Here's a view off my deck, and of the Merced River just below:



It is very quiet here. Actually, it is extremely loud... I can hear the roar of the Merced River and the peepers. I am living in a 2 bdrm apartment, official park housing. Some photos of the living area and apartments are below:



Last week there was a mass exodus, apparently, of all the seasonal employees. Which is why I'm here now: during summer, there isn't enough housing for everybody. But during winter, there's room, even for geology interns like me! In fact, I am currently living alone here, until my Austrian geologist roommate arrives in December. Very excited about that, actually.

And so, here I am, moved in, forgot some important stuff, still haven't found the laundry, but doing quite well, and enjoying the quiet time. I'll be posting more stuff as it happens, but for now... adieu!