今天我介紹一個名為優山美地的國家公園（Yosemite National Park）。先看官方網站的介紹：Yosemite is not just a great valley, but a shrine to human foresight, the strength of granite, the power of glaciers, the persistence of life, and the tranquility of the High Sierra. First protected in 1864, Yosemite National Park is best known for its waterfalls, but within its nearly 1,200 square miles, you can find deep valleys, grand meadows, ancient giant sequoias, a vast wilderness area, and much more.

優山美地不僅是一個偉大的山谷，有遠見的前人的聖所、頑強的花崗岩、冰川的霸氣、恒持的生命和寧靜的高脊山脈。自1864年被列為保護區，優山美地國家公園以瀑布而聞名於世。在其近1,200 平方英里的幅員，讓您一窺深谷、大草原、入雲的老紅杉、廣闊的大自然，不能盡錄。

雖然這位文案撰寫人（Copywriter）已經把介紹寫得符合大眾口味，但總覺得缺了些什麼。

再分享一篇關於優山美地的中學生日誌，它來自三藩市灣區內的聖荷西名為亞夫內日校（Yavneh Day School）：

Last week, Yavneh's 5th, 6th, and 7th graders journeyed to Yosemite National Park. Our young explorers hiked for miles, crawled through bear caves, scrambled up rocks, and gazed at waterfalls. On Thursday, the majestic landscape transformed into a winter wonderland right before their eyes: It snowed, and snowed ...... and snowed! Snowmen, snow angels, and snowball fights popped up all over the campsite as the adventurers took full advantage of the magical change in weather. Throughout the journey, students deepened their friendships and their trust in one another, and discovered the power of perseverance. It was a journey that they will cherish for years to come. 

上周，亞夫內的五六和七年級的同學到優山美地國家公園郊遊。我校的年輕探險家走了數英里的山路，爬過熊洞、步過岩石、凝視瀑布。在周四，雄偉的風景頓成冬日仙境，盡入他們的眼簾：下雪了，下雪了…下雪了！營地內彈出了雪人、雪天使和雪球戰，這群冒險家好好享用了這天氣變身的奇遇。在這旅程中，同學們加深了彼此的友情和互信，並體驗了毅力的力量，這旅程的回憶將會長存在他們的心間。

同學感言（Student Testimonials）：

Have you ever rock scrambled? While in Yosemite, we "rocked" it! We conquered our fear of heights, worked as a team, and relied on each other. – Riley (5th)

Rock it是大展身手，克服懼高是conquered our fear of heights，我們無須用學術名的懼高症 (Acrophobia)。

We explored El Capitan West! It was steep and the path was covered with fallen trees. It was tough. But as we got to the end, it was all worth it. There was a mind-boggling view. – Lea (6th)

El Capitan是酋長岩，它真的很險峻。A mind-boggling view是難以置信的美景。

Overall, the tough hikes taught me how to be more independent and brave. – Aviv (5th)

用在成長時independent應叫自立，而不是獨立。

Last week in Yosemite it snowed a lot ...... It was all over the campsite and up to our ankles! We had an awesome snowfall fight, and the teachers joined in! The snow was such a beautiful sight to see. We also hiked in the snow as it was falling down on us. Even though it was freezing cold, it really brought us together and showed us how capable we are.

– Lilah(6th)

Awesome是美國人常用，就如香港年輕人口中的「勁正」。Freezing cold是寒風刺骨，Brought us together是團結一起。自我發掘潛能原來是Showe us how capable we are。

這一篇短文很淺白，用的詞彙也不高深，卻很有感染力。客觀來說，靈活的日常英語用語只有生活在英語環境的人才會得心應手，例如rock it、awesome和freezing cold之類，其真摯的語句也是首段的官方用詞所欠缺的。

●康源 專業英語導師