www.choicelunch.com- Allison Gagnon

Peace in the Pause: Our Winter Trip to the Yosemite Valley

We were in it. The deep pause between Christmas and Spring Break. One of the long hauls of the school year. Holidays behind us, but too far from Summer to begin the countdown. Sometimes the rut is REAL.

www.choicelunch.com- Allison Gagnon

I had planned a trip to Yosemite last school year, as our kids had never been and I had longed to take them there for some time. If you want to stay on the valley floor, Yosemite National Park requires a decent amount of advanced planning due to its popularity, and I wasn’t sure when I booked it if the trip would actually come to fruition. A lot can happen in a year.

www.choicelunch.com- Allison Gagnon As the trip neared, it became clear that the planning was going to become reality. This was it – our chance to get out of the rut for a few days and mix things up. Our family was really, really looking forward to it. There was just one hiccup looming – we were still in the thick of winter and it was looking like a winter storm was due to hit Yosemite Valley on the day of our planned arrival. We packed our snow gear, bought new snow boots, made sure we had chains for the car, and we hit the road. Justin and I had a pep talk with our kids on the three hour drive – we weren’t sure what the weather was going to hold for us, we weren’t sure what we were or were not going to be able to do once we got there, we weren’t sure how it was all going to go. We hoped that if we could channel good attitudes from each and every person in our family though, we were going to have some adventures.

www.choicelunch.com- Allison Gagnon

Our four days in Yosemite Valley were glorious. I had never been to Yosemite in the Winter. It was the most gorgeous wonderland – exceeding my every expectation. It snowed heavily, and the snow provided the most entertaining playground for our kids as we hiked and explored the Valley.

www.choicelunch.com- Allison Gagnon

We all reveled in this first-hand experience of nature and the chance to once again renew our spirits in time together outdoors. At one point I looked over, and Grace and Hayden were making snow angels in the meadow, with Yosemite Falls in the backdrop. My heart felt like it could explode at that very moment. We had found our breath in the pause.

www.choicelunch.com- Allison Gagnon

Albert Einstein once said, “Look deep into nature and you will understand everything better.” This Earth Day, give yourself new breath. Step outside, and take it all in. Wonder is all around you, and sometimes the clarity you’re seeking can be found in the pause you didn’t even know you needed.

Hello There!

My name is Allison! Nurturer Of 4 Remarkable Littles / Married To My Own Modern Day Prince Charming / California Born And Raised / Adventure Seeker / Nature Enthusiast / Memory Maker / Food / Wine / Fashion / Sleep

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