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This photo, taken along Tioga Pass Road in Yosemite just after dawn, marks the quiet beginning of a profound journey. My mom and I were setting off to ascend Clouds Rest, a prominent peak overlooking Tuolumne Meadows on one side and Half Dome and Yosemite Valley on the other. The first light of day spills across the granite and pines, casting long shadows and illuminating the open road ahead, as if the world itself were inviting us forward. In the distance, Lake Tenaya rests still and wistful, holding the silence of ancient time. This moment captures more than a scenic view - it holds the weightless feeling of possibility, of shared courage, and of the vast, open-hearted wonder that only the vast expanses of wilderness can inspire.