Recurring themes.....

yeah, I know, it's been a while.....

Wow, so much has happened, and I've facebooked most of it, so I'll just post pictures today. These are from our Yosemite trip. There's not too many pictures of us, mainly because NOBODY looks good camping, and also because Yosemite is just too beautiful to be left out!!

This first picture is El Capitan, a very popular mountain for climbing. It's the first "vista" spot coming into the valley and a nice place for pictures. Notice all the cars.


This is right after the park entrance, at the summit. Only snow I saw all winter!


The valley floor is full of deer. I think they are used to all the people, because they were always around. This is in front of worker housing.


Justin, Jessica, and Madeline. If you look closely you might be able to spot the deer between Justin and Jessica.





Upper Yosemite Falls


Half Dome


Cathedral Mountain


Upper & Lower Yosemite Falls


The Mist Trail. A very wet hike to the top of Vernal Falls. Adventurous souls can continue to the top of Nevada Falls. Maybe next time.



Another view of Upper & Lower Yosemite Falls


Andrew and Joe and the Mist Trail. Jessica and I stayed behind to watch the dogs in the morning, but we managed the hike in the afternoon. We came down the easy switchback way, which added a thousand vertical feet and an additional two hours to the hike.



Andrew by Vernal Falls.







Half Dome, again.


Another picture of beautiful Upper & Lower Yosemite Falls.



We picked a great year to visit Yosemite. California snow pack is almost 200% of normal, which means the falls that normally run dry by mid July will be flowing all summer. Even though it was cold, very cold, we had a good time with our great friends. I'm hoping to visit again next year and tackle Nevada Falls, although this time we'll leave the canine at home so we can all hike together. If you'd like to visit Yosemite, remember reservations have to be made through the National Park System 5 months in advance. They start on the 15th of each month at 7 am. If you log in at 7:05 you'll be too late and all the sites will be taken. So plan early, pick out your dates and campsites (and have alternative dates/campsites in case your first choice is taken). The BEST way to get around the valley floor in on bike. There are miles of paved bike trails, and some roads have been shut off to cars and are bicycle only.