Back in 2011 my wife and I visited Yosemite National Park. Our three day visit turned into an airline debacle but we salvaged one day. At the time of our journey we were a bit on edge, about what I felt was a tiny glitch in our plans, the possibility of a government shutdown. Informing our rental car office of our destination brought gasps of “Is it still open?” and “Where will you stay if they don’t let you in the park?” Both questions were thought provoking and a bit unnerving, but what could we do? We had been planning the trip for months; it was a destination we had talked about for years. Fortunately for us the National Parks were not closed during that government calamity but we were always wondering if a park ranger would be waiting for us at the door to our lodge informing us that he regretted the inconvenience but through no fault of his own we would have to forsake one of the most beautiful places God had created on this Earth. This never happened, but I’m sure it has in recent days. The picture was taken from Yosemite Valley looking up at Glacier Point. Its peak is 7,214 feet above sea level. To give you some perspective just how high that is, the valley floor where the photographer in the orange coat is standing is 3,200 feet lower. The scale of the park is vast, and difficult to convey in pictures. The picture is actually eight pictures joined together. It was the only way to get the whole scene in. But it makes everything look smaller than it actually is. You have to tilt your head back to look up towards Glacier Point from this clearing. I recommend a visit to get the effect. But not now, while the government won’t let you in.