Above the Valley

Polly flew into Yosemite. The wind smelled of pine. Tall cliffs were on both sides. A river was below.

She climbed high. The valley looked like a big U cut in stone. Long ago, ice made it this shape. The ice pushed through and ground the floor flat.

She flew to El Capitan. The cliff was very tall. Two tiny climbers were on the rock face.

Polly perched on a pine tree. The needles smelled like butterscotch. She watched the climbers. They moved slowly and carefully.

A ranger's truck went up the road below. Polly thought about riding with a ranger one day.

She flew down slowly. A big bird called a turkey vulture rose past her on warm air. Polly watched it climb.

At the valley floor, the air was warm and dim. Polly landed on a huge fallen pine tree. Moss was on it.

The Merced River ran past. The water was brown from melting snow. Polly put her yellow feet in the cold water. It made her toes ache.

A sign said SHUTTLE TO VISITOR CENTER. Polly flew to the bus stop.

The shuttle was a green bus. A ranger was the driver. She opened the door for Polly.

Polly hopped onto a railing inside. The bus drove. El Capitan moved slowly past the window.

At the last stop, Polly tucked her head under her wing. She slept.