Maya Goto road trips from Truckee Meadows Community College to Yosemite

Hi there! It’s been getting cold at TMCC in Reno recently. I heard it’s already snowing around Lake Tahoe, so it’ll be here soon too. It reminds me of my hometown, Hokkaido, Japan, where there’s always a lot of snow. Before the snow arrived, I went on a road trip to Yosemite National Park in Cali! This park is famous for its huge waterfalls, especially in summer, but since it was the start of fall, I didn’t get to see them. Instead, I discovered some unexpected and beautiful aspects of Yosemite in the fall.

Fall is perfect at Yosemite

There’s really no bad time to visit Yosemite, but… one reason to go in the fall is that there are fewer people. Summer might seem like the best season because of the waterfalls and warm weather, but it also means more PEOPLE. In the fall, you’ll feel like you have more private space—as if the epic views are just for you! At Yosemite Falls, I climbed rocks, usually covered by the waterfall, because the water was almost dried up. It was so fun to climb up and see the view from a higher spot. It was absolutely beautiful—something I’d never seen before.

Where I stayed

This time, I stayed in a cozy little cottage near Yosemite that had a comfy bed, bathroom, TV, and even a microwave. For dinner, we ate grilled meat we marinated and froze in advance. It was amazing and warmed me up. The next morning, I made miso soup and stir-fried veggies outside for breakfast. It was so good and made for a perfectly chill morning. Since the trip was three days and two nights, I had time to visit several places in Yosemite. I promise I’ll come back again! Hopefully next time with my parents and sister. :)

Sacramento stopover

On the way back to Reno from Yosemite, I stopped in Sacramento for THIS Korean food!! It was so satisfying after a long road trip. While studying abroad in the U.S.A., I want to explore more cities, try new cuisines, and experience different cultures. Every trip feels like a new adventure that helps learn about the world and myself. I can’t wait to share more of these moments with you through my blogs. Thank you for staying in touch with me!

Mai (Maya) Goto from Japan is studying business at Truckee Meadows Community College.