Evaluating 2013

It's 7pm on December 31. Facebook and Twitter are flush with remembrances and dreams. Here are my thoughts in the waning hours of 2013.

In 2013: I got a dog. I had knee surgery. I fell in love with the dog. I hiked to the top of North Dome, thus completing a childhood dream. I started teaching the "smart" kids. I suffered more knee pain, though I like to think it's getting better again. I became KF5YNW. I repainted my bedroom and bathroom. The dog and I went camping.

Huh. Doesn't seem like much for 365 days.

In 2014 I hope to: not have knee pain; change up the landscaping in at least the front yard; hike more; recommit to being vegan; hang out with the dog a lot; move my mom to Texas; lose a little weight; praise God more in public; serve God more; encourage students; transmit on the radio; put on a killer prom for my seniors; be happy.

Seems doable. Here we go!!

SANTA!

For fifteen Christmases I wanted to take George to see Santa. For various reasons, none of which I can remember, besides the fact that she would've hated the process, we never went. BUT, that didn't deter me from making sure Slugger got to see Santa on his first Christmas with me :) Maybe now it'll be out of my system and I never have to subject him to it again. I'll tell you in about 12 months!

Petsmart (and probably Petco) has Santa usually a couple Saturdays in December. It's actually done by the adoption people. Well, it was this year. Apparently in the past you could get a printed picture and a frame just like at the mall. (I guess; I've never done that either!) This year they scaled down and I had to use my own camera/phone and do with the picture what I want. For $5 I was okay with that! Except, I wanted to be IN the picture. Luckily there were people there, other than Santa, who were happy to help.

Now, I had never done this and had no idea what to expect. I called this morning to make sure they were still doing it. Last week's was cancelled due to the ice. Huh, I should post those ice pics. Eh, another time. Anyway, the guy on the phone said he wasn't really sure what kind of crowd to expect since it was a limited affair - 11am-4pm today only.

There was no one there! I had Slugger in his harness cuz I figured he'd be easier to hold on to, move around, etc. It was quite helpful! Santa just sat there. Not sure if he was the husband of the lady in charge or not, but pretty sure someone had bribed him to sit there all day in a santa suit. Slugger was much more interested in the other dogs and smells, but we got him to cooperate, sort of, eventually. Here are the shots :)

Slugger goes Camping!

I have been so excited for this camping trip, I can not even explain! I don't even know why. Except that I've been wanting to get (back?) into camping for some time and it just never made sense, as a single woman. But NOW I have Slugger!!! He loves to hike, so I figured it'd be a natural progression.

What I didn't count on was a cold Thanksgiving!! The weekend before Thanksgiving we had freezing temps, a little yucky precip, and I was getting alarmed at the forecast for Wednesday night! Sooo… using the one skill I learned from Mark, I changed our plans!! We painted the bedroom BEFORE we went camping, and waited until it warmed up a tad. I am SO glad. First, it was cold enough as it was. Second, I'm glad the painting is done because I have no desire to do a darned thing right now!!

I've had a list going for at least a month or two, and a pile on the dining room table for at least a couple weeks! We took the tent into the backyard and tested it out. We practiced with the cook stove too!  I got long underwear and took every warm piece of headwear I own. I bought a fancy new lantern since I happen to really hate the dark.

We painted Wednesday and Thursday. Friday morning we packed up the car and LEFT!! I was so excited that we were at the State Park by 12:30!! I had pitched the tent and unloaded the car by 1pm. And I'd forgotten to bring a book. Or something to do… I wasn't sure my knee would hold up for TWO long hikes, but we were bored. So we got in the car and went to the trailhead. We walked maybe a mile. Just to practice :)

When dad and I were in Yosemite last summer, we spent our first afternoon, before the big hike, exploring Tuolumne Meadows. I thought that would be a great idea for Slugger and I. The state park we were in has a lake, lots of fishing, and a rock climbing area. There's also a trail way, but I'd already seen that and knew it started with a hill, so we skipped that part.

The first place we stopped was the camp store!! They had used books for $1. Jackpot!! I also got a skewer to roast my hot dogs and a coffee cup souvenir (seemed appropriate since I'd forgotten to bring one). Then we drove to the climbing area. We walked around a little. Luckily Slugs wasn't too interested in the edge. The climbers started out at the top and either rappelled down or hiked (way steep, way rocky) down to then climb back up. It was interesting. There were climbers. It wasn't like watching climbers on Half Dome or El Capitan though so we left.

After some time reading and hanging out, I decided it was time for dinner and a campfire. I had bought a bundle of wood at a gas station here in Fort Worth where we bought gas before we left. I got the water on the stove and started on the campfire. Nothing but a lot of smoke. Tried again. The paper burned and nothing. I was running out of paper so I gave in and called Dad :) I tried to ignore the fact that I had full bars 4G while "camping in the middle of nowhere". He gave me a lesson though I think I was hopeless because my wood was oak and I needed a really hot fire to start it. I had flames for a while, but the actual logs never really burned. It was good enough to roast my hot dogs (2 for me, 2 for Slugs, of course) and a couple marshmallows. And now I know!! PINE!!!

Here is Slugs this morning playing in the ashes of our failed fire…

Since I was already wearing all my layers and it was dark, I decided it was time for bed. It was 6:30 :) Slugs went right in the tent with me and we settled down. I read by flashlight a little. The neighbors were rowdy. Then a PA was heard. And we were serenaded with a pretty good rendition of the Star Spangled Banner. The neighbors clapped when it was over!  I went online (since I could) to see what was happening in Mineral Wells… 6-man football state quarterfinals were being held at the MW High School stadium. Two towns I'd never heard of were competing. Luckily, the announcer didn't announce much or very loudly. I have no idea who won!

It was a cold, loud night. The neighbors never did quiet down. Or not for very long at a time. Leaves fell on the tent. Bushes rustled. Slugger did pretty good though. He barked and/or growled here and there but not once it was truly "bedtime". We did wake up (stupid neighbor) at about 1am though. He wanted out and I needed to also, so we had a short walk, and then drove to the bath house. Yes, we drove. Every time. He's not allowed in the building and the campsite was pretty far away anyway. So we drove and he hung out in the car while I went in. He always got a walk too :)

Although it could've been colder, it was still VERY cold. We both shivered. But we snuggled and made it through.  Neighborman woke us up with some very loud profanity at about 7am. Which is what time we've been waking up anyway so I wasn't too upset. And apparently someone complained, or the ranger could hear it from wherever he was, because the park police patrolled pretty regular after that and I think they kicked the loud guy out.

I made coffee and we sat and enjoyed the morning. A couple deer grazed by in the woods near us. I never would've noticed if it weren't for Slugger's amazing eyesight! He just sat and watched them.  I slowly packed up camp and we were off for our hike!!

Deer...

We went about 4.5 miles. Slugger did very well. He even saw an armadillo!! Or I should say, he saw it and chased it off. All I saw was the tail!! The trail was mostly flat until Slugger decided to explore a different part once we got to the area we were headed for. We went about half of a mile up and I gave up, knowing we'd have to go back down which is my knee's least favorite thing to do. But we did it! And several hours later, the knee still feels good!!

The post-adventure nap :)

Everybody needs a dog

Every day when I get home, Slugger is so very happy to see me. He doesn't care how my day went; he just loves me and wants to be with me.

Yesterday, a Monday to beat all Mondays, was just not a good day. I left for work early because I was not ready for the day's teaching. I worked feverishly all day to get grades ready because they were due before I left. Then after school I was to drive to Decatur. Prom will be in Decatur in April so we (my senior officers and I were going to check out the location again. We were all taking separate cars since I'm not allowed to drive them and I wasn't going to come home through Azle. When I got to my car, it would not start. Long story short I texted one of them and said to tour without me. I called AAA. They jumped my car and all was well but following good advice from my dad, I went to Toyota to have them check it out. Luckily, the new battery was under warranty so it was free. They even washed it for me.

So when I finally got home, I was very ready for a smiling happy dog who just wanted dinner and a walk. We walked first. While on our walk, Slugger attempted to eat a weird blossom thing from the weird grass blossom plant thing. He spit it out  and turned to look at me, smiling. The weird wheat blossom thing was hanging out of his mouth. I laughed uproariously. He smiled and danced, and, in his way, laughed with me. I couldn't help but think at that moment, "what bad day?" And, "how does anyone live without a furry friend?"

I don't have any pictures of that moment. I was too busy laughing. But here is a picture of the crazy grass stuff. I call it that because a few short months ago it was just short ornamental grass. And now it's this:

 

Next?

I've been thinking I need to write something. But then I think, how do I follow my last 3 posts?! So, now I have this pitiful post to follow next time I have something to say :) Clever, I am!

AC 100 2013 (21 years later)

This has been an amazing vacation of reunioning, realizing, and reminiscing. Because I just posted to FB saying I couldn't describe this weekend in a FB post, I thought maybe I should attempt to talk about it here! Besides, I have to keep myself awake long enough to finish icing my knee :)

Backstory: Twenty-four years ago my family started running an aid station at the Angeles Crest 100 (AC). This is a 100 mile endurance run over trails from Wrightwood to the Rose Bowl. Well, 24 years ago that's where it finished. About 10 years ago they changed that, but I digress. Our job was to hang out at Shortcut Saddle, about 60 miles into the run, and greet runners. We had food and water and soda and all sorts of goodies. The runners could have their "crew" (friends and family) meet them there to give them any special items and encouragement. There was a medical team who assessed injury and blisters and gave massages and such. It was basically a little city on a wide turn-out on the side of the road. For one night. I LOVED doing this with my family. I even missed Homecoming my senior year of high school so I could go to AC.

The ultrarunner, someone who runs more than the standard marathon, is a special breed of human. They are in FANTASTIC shape and are some of the nicest people you'll ever meet! They have normal jobs but in their free-time, they are found running along trails wherever they live.

At all of the aid stations along the way at AC, there are ham radio operators working diligently to make sure every runner is accounted for at all times. They know where and when each runner was seen last, and where (and sometimes when, back then) to expect them next. My memory of the radio guys at Shortcut was that they were on the other side of the road. I was a teenager and it didn't interest me so that's all I can tell you!

Fast forward to 2013: My trip to CA began with my HS reunion. When dad and I were discussing dates, he mentioned that he was signed up to work radio at an aid station of the AC100. Somehow it was agreed that my trip should finish with helping him! I admit I didn't actually know what helping him would mean until Saturday night! But I knew that I had very fond memories of AC and I had no reason or desire to say no. As it turns out, his usual partner, my uncle, didn't get to go so I was his ONLY help.

Dad's aid station these days is Millard Campground at about 95 miles into the run, the last station before the Finish. It's technically a remote site in that cars aren't allowed up the 100 yard drive to the actual campground. Except ours :) We got there about 4pm to start setting up, the first runner would be there by midnight. Oh, I should mention that I have decided to get my ham license so this was also a big lesson for me. Anyway, we put up the antennas (I'm too tired to go into detail) and got everything up and running. The technology of this is awesome. They use a software program created just for this event to track runners through the computer, using ham radio waves! Dad also had his radio for actual voice talk which he used more than I expected him to.

Bob, the aid station chief, came in while we were setting up. He is an ultrarunner himself and had run from our station the 6.7 miles to the station before us, and back, marking the trail with yellow tape and chalk. These runners run through the night so having a well marked trail is very important!

The rest of the aid station help arrived and we began making dinner. Bob went off down the trail toward the finish, to check out the sunset. What he found was a bike rider who had, for unknown reasons, taken DOWN many of the yellow tape markings! And someone (else?) had smudged out the chalk arrows. To make a VERY long story short, this was very bad, no one did anything about it (who should have at 6pm when we reported it), and so at 3am Bob re-ran it all to re-mark it all, 4.7 miles to the finish and back to us at Millard. Most runners didn't know about any of this but he was kinda the hero of the day. To get lost at 97 miles would royally suck!!

If you think I'm rambling or a little all over the place, you'll see why in a bit. So, the first runner got there at about 11:30pm. He didn't stay long. We had runners fairly steadily all night long, mostly one at a time. There were a few 1 hour gaps between them in the true middle of the night so the aid station folks went to sleep, except Bob. When we realized, via voice ham radio, that the markings had NOT been replaced at 6pm, we knew that Bob was the only one to do it. Why did this matter? It meant I was the only one to be working at the aid station if a runner came in. Not a huge deal because I love this stuff and they were there one at a time and dad could handle the radio side. Oh yeah, my radio job was to write down the "in" and "out" time for each runner so that there was a paper trail of what dad was sending over the waves. Anyway, what this really meant for me, is that if I'd wanted to sleep, it really wasn't going to happen unless I quickly learned how to catnap. I did not get that gene from dad, unfortunately. Maybe I'll grow into it. And thus my exhaustion by the time we got to Big Bear at 6pm on Sunday.

Eventually, people woke up, Bob returned and we all did our "assigned" duties. There were 6 of us there in total. Dad and I were "radio" and Bob, Jeff, Susan, and Summer were "aid". Summer was technically medical but the only thing she did was say that our walker (#127 who took the longest to get to us) was okay, just walking, thus slow. He finished!

The awesome part of being radio and/or the software we were using is that we knew where every runner was. The software gave us a not always accurate ETA, who had dropped out, etc. We knew exactly who was heading toward us, when we might expect them, and when they finished. When the 1st woman came through (39 year old Angela!) her pacer (someone who runs with them to energize, coax, hydrate, etc.) said she was on pace for a course record. We knew, an hour later when she finished, that she'd done it! That's not true because it took us several hours to figure out what the record was (22 hours) but we could look back and knew! She did it in about 21:30. Oh she was also 4th overall!!! That's 21 hours, 35 minutes. Running. On trails. Over mountains. She's MY AGE!!! She SOOOO rocks!!!!

Knowing they were coming meant that I could almost always know their name when they got there since I had the list with bib number and name. I enjoyed being able to say "hi Malcolm, welcome to Millard". It was harder when there were several due within a few minutes because they traded places in order often!

I will have a second blog post about some of the specific runners we saw. We saw 74 runners, and almost all of them had a pacer. It's a very interesting scene that some moments are seemingly boring with absolutely nothing happening and then you see feet ahead on the trail (or bobbing headlamps in the dark), hear a shout (usually from me) "runner", and it's a hive of activity again. Runners stayed from 10 seconds to 5 minutes. I think #69 stayed 10 minutes because he had some soup.

Part of our job is to stay at our site until every runner reaches the next stop, the finish in our case, and until the sweep team got to us. The last runner (who was passed by the last runner we saw) finished in 32:38, 22 minutes before the "cutoff". The sweep team ended up being one poor girl who got to us about 2:30. We were about half packed up (because we still had an antenna up to talk to her and others). We left about 3pm.

Although I began this post just hours later, I hit a wall and went to bed so I could finish it when I had a little brain power left :) The memories and inspiration are still with me though! I can't wait for next year!!!

The 6 of us (plus Perry who brought ice on Sunday morning!) in between runners at about noon... sleep deprived!

Who are these crazy runner people? (2/2)

(Be sure to read the post "AC100" first!!)

A few memorable runners... 

I can’t remember his #, 29 maybe?!! Jamil was 3^rd to get to us. He is memorable because he was eating something out of a Ziploc bag. I asked what it was – a mashed potato burrito! He said it’d been his carbs the whole trip!! I wish he’d stuck around longer; I am intrigued by his eating!! Also, his pacer was very cute (I am a single girl; I notice these things).

Because AC is a hard race, few runners finish in less than 24 hours. In fact, in some years, it's just a handful! Runners aiming for this needed to leave us by about 3:30am if they didn't want to sprint. It took an average of about 1.5 hours to get from us to the finish for normal, tired people. The winner took 45 minutes. Anyway! At about 3am we started to get a "rush" of runners. At one point we actually had 2 runners and 2 pacers at once! These guys were SO pepped up!! It was really hard not to be infected by their enthusiasm. They had pushed themselves to meet their goal and when they got to us they knew they could do it, I guess. Anyway, we watched the computer to see if they did it, and THEY DID!! Every one who left us on pace to get under 24, did it. There were FIFTEEN who did it this year which is a LOT. We didn't see a runner for a good hour after those guys left. The rest just wanted to finish. Some were racing personal best times, etc. But most really just wanted to get done, especially by the time we saw them. 

Sometime about when Bob was thinking he was going to have to go out and fix the markers, a random dude walked into our camp. He had paced a guy earlier in the night and ran up to us from the finish to see his runner, #99, Brad. Brad was almost to the station before us so we invited this pacer to hang out with us. I nicknamed the pacer as Orange Hat Guy because he was wearing an orange hat. He kept talking about runners with cute monikers that he and the rest of his friends had given them throughout the day. His actual name is Craig. He was a HUGE help since soon after he arrived, Bob left. Craig helped when runners came in and prepped stuff for his own runner. The computer made it seem that we would get several together or in quick succession so I was glad he was there. As soon as #99 left, so did he. He went the shorter route to the finish so I assume he made it in time to see his friend cross the line. 

Hansen Dam is apparently a location not too far from the race. I had never heard of it but MANY people came in wearing shirts for the Hansen Dam running club. On the back was something about AC100, someone named Mendoza. People wearing these shirts also liked to come up from the finish and go meet their runners. It stopped being creepy having people come up behind us once the sun came up. I finally asked one of these folks what the shirt was about. Apparently Mr. Mendoza was running his 10th AC100 and they were all celebrating this. When he finally got there, I congratulated him and he just looked at me funny! I might add that no one with a red shirt on spoke fluent English and they all talked to each other in Spanish.

#127, Chris and, #26 Diana left the previous aid station almost at the same time. We expected to see them at about the same time. Diana came in about 1.5 later all perky. She claimed this was the best day of her life. She'd been running about 25 hours... we then saw what seemed like every other number that ended in 7 and still no #127. He turned yellow in dad's software, meaning the algorithm thought he was taking too long. Finally, at least 2.5 hours later, we see a very slow walker and pacer coming down the hill to us. Ah, this would be Chris. The first thing he asked for was Ibuprofen. He sat a little while but not long and walked off toward the finish. He had PLENTY of time so walking would get him there. At that point runners were still taking a little over an hour, he did it in 1.5. Yet another runner we cheered when Dad announced he'd finished!! 

I think Tim's # was 151. Tim was memorable because, well, we never really saw him! He went straight into the bathroom while his very perky female pacer (his wife I hope) filled their bottles, etc. and continued to holler, every 30 seconds or so... "Tim? You okay? Tim? We gotta go, Tim! Let's go, Tim! Tim? You alright in there? Come on, let's go!" for at least 3 or 4 minutes. He came out and I'm pretty sure just started up the trail! I have no recollection of ever seeing his face!!

#23 was Wally. This didn't mean anything to us until he got to us. Wally is 70 years old!! He became the oldest ever finisher in the race's history. We made sure that Dad announced to us all when he finished so we could cheer. He finished in about 31 hours (I could totally go look this up but that's not fun! Dad did though, 31:20). It was well into the morning :)

#121 came to us late in the morning. There was no doubt he'd finish in time (they are given 33 hours to "officially" finish and there are cut-offs at all aid stations to attempt to ensure this). The man was all smiles. He never stopped smiling the whole 3 minutes he was in our station. I made him promise he'd smile all the way to the finish. All I know is that he finished, but I like to believe he was still smiling! 

If you know me, you know I love the number two and 22. Even when I'm at home, I follow along with this race and others (if dad's working) on the web. You can see all the runner's names and numbers and basically all the info about when they get to the next station and stuff. I always pick a few runners to "watch". I always pick a runner from Texas, a female about my age, and #22. Last year, #22 didn't finish. Actually, I don't think anyone I was following finished last year! Maybe I'm bad luck. Anyway, I was very excited that #22, Andrew, was making his way along the course. I'd have dad check on him now and then (via the cool software this was so easy!). I was SUPER excited when he was on his way to us!! Summer and I had looked him up in the race book thing and figured out that he was about 63 years old. Even more exciting - we like "old" guys who do this stuff!! He stopped long enough that I felt okay chatting with him. I explained briefly that I'd followed him the whole time (and why) and was so glad to see him. He said he'd had the same number last year but hadn't finished but that he thought it was neat that I'd been watching him. I congratulated him on doing so well this year and that I looked forward to seeing him next year. He finished!! 

I should point out that every runner we saw, all 74, finished. We don't really have "drops" at our station because there's no real way to get out except to wait for us for hours or to walk/run to the finish! And yet, knowing they got there made me happy!!

Our last runner out was #46. Lambert. He is memorable for being last, of course, but his pacer is really the memorable one. Eric is a ham radio guy! AND he had his radio with him! So we knew pretty much EXACTLY when we'd see them. Eric talked to dad on and off the whole 2 hours between the previous station and getting to us. It was very nice! They actually passed #104 though so were the penultimate finishers. 

All 74 runners were memorable and inspirational. No, I still have no desire to run, especially 100 miles. But I do have the urge to get out and move and be active as well as become active in the ham radio world so that next year Dad can be away from the radio and I can just respond instead of having to yell to him to come back!! 

AC100 runners, See you August 2, 2014!!!

North Dome

When I was a young person, my family frequently went to Yosemite National Park for our summer vacations. From Palm Springs, it was a day's drive to nice, refreshing, cooler air! We'd spend a week there, going on hikes, hanging out, doing various camping activities, etc. My mom and I would take art classes and my dad (and brother before he got too old to vacation with the family) would go hiking, running, or rock climbing (these activities changed depending on the summer). Ma was an artist; I have a couple of her pieces. I put green and brown paint on the paper and explained that it was trees.

Anyway, looming above the place where we stayed was North Dome.

It doesn't get much press, so to speak. It's not on any t-shirts or postcards. (Sometimes it gets into one of Half Dome, on accident because it's across the valley) No one ever talks about going to the top. It's just there, looking all dome-y and beautiful. Several years ago, when Dad asked where we should hike next, I said "North Dome! if it's possible". I didn't even know if you COULD get to the top!! YOU CAN!!! 

To make 3 years seem short... the next summer they'd had so much snow that the trail was closed at the end of July!! the summer after that, I didn't travel to California... SO.. I was DETERMINED to get to the top of North Dome in 2013!! And then I banged my knee...

Post-surgery, I had a FABULOUS physical therapist who knew my goal and destination. We worked very hard all of June and into July to get my knee where it needed to be. I also worked to get the rest of me back in shape since I hadn't hardly moved since the initial injury in February.

And so, after a quick 20 year HS reunion in Big Bear, Dad and I set out for Yosemite! We had years before decided to go the "easy" route from the "backside" not from the Valley floor. We are SO smart!! We camped the night before just a little way from the trailhead on Tioga Road.

We drove into Toulumne Meadows that afternoon and bought matching Yosemite jackets because they're cool and also because it was about to rain! It rained on and off all evening, into the night. There are some amazing views off of Tioga Road in the back country!

We woke up Tuesday morning early, cleaned up camp and set off on our adventure! We ignored the clouds :) 

We had continually said that this hike wouldn't be too strenuous because there wasn't much elevation gain or loss at any one time, according to the topo map. It lied!! We went straight down, then straight up, over and over! Or it seemed like it anyway!! We got to a ridge that appeared to end at a dome. Nope, not the right dome. This was about when dad asked, "where are we going?!". It is an odd hike when you don't see where you're going the whole time! In fact, we had not yet seen North Dome at any point on our trip!! We kept hiking anyway :) 

About 3 miles into the ~4.5 mile trip, we saw Half Dome to our left for the first time. We got out the binoculars to see a few people on top and a few climbers on the face. We knew we were at the correct angle so North Dome must be close!!

We walked out onto another dome of sorts, and there below us, was finally NORTH DOME!!!!

The only "problem" was that according to the map and sign posts, we only had about a mile left... HOW were we supposed to get there from here in a mile?!?!? And we knew it was supposedly like half a mile from the base to the top. We could actually see that trail from here! 

Well... some steep scrambling down off this dome, into some trees for some more steep down, and we got to the .5 mile sign! 

We practically raced up the side of the dome! Okay, I did. I was mildly excited!! I actually cried at one point. It had been such a very long journey to finally get to this point!! Years and years of wondering if there was even a trail, snow, George, knees, etc. BUT, WE DID IT!!!

Two months, almost to the minute, from my knee surgery, here I am!! It IS possible to get to the top of North Dome!! And it was SO worth it!! The views were amazing; the hike was challenging; and the knowledge that I can do whatever I put my mind to is once again engrained in my brain!! :) If you look at my face in the pictures, I was just a wee bit excited to be there!!

Dad and I took pics, had a snack, and left quickly at the first raindrop. On top of a dome is not where one should be in a thunderstorm!! Luckily, it never actually rained on us. In fact, we got back to the car and enjoyed our entire evening without rain!

On the way back, we were going to make a .3 mile side trip to Indian Rock. Unfortunately, we were tired of going up hill (maybe just tired in general) and did not want to go further up hill so we opted not to. Also, before the turn off we actually saw it from the trail. We took some pics and decided that was close enough!

(It's between the two tall trees - a weird rock outcrop with one very skinny bridge-like part)

The last .7 miles was UP an old, somewhat paved road. At the top was a Park volunteer sitting and reading. It was cool to have someone there to greet us!! Three hours to the top, three hours back. Not too bad!! According to the tracker on my phone, we went 10.11 miles. No wonder we were tired!! 

About a week before this adventure, I realized that I would really want to take a shower after the hike so I reserved us a spot at Camp Curry in Yosemite Valley. We drove down and were able to check in right away. Camp Curry has normal cabins but mostly tent cabins. It's a wood frame with canvas sides and top. This is where we stayed most often when I was a kid. It's rustic, but with a bed and shelter :) The showers were very small, but felt oh so good!! 

After we cleaned up, we rode around the village on the shuttle bus. This is THE way to get around Yosemite Valley! Everything in the Village was closed except pizza which didn't excite us so we went back to Curry where we had yummy burgers on the veranda (think big porch). After dinner we walked around Curry Village, I had an ice cream cone, and we enjoyed the people watching. Yosemite is a great place to see all walks of life!! We hopped back on the shuttle, stopped for a quick visit to The Ahwahnee Hotel ($450+ per night!) and then rode the shuttle all the way around back to Camp Curry! When I was a kid, I would ride that shuttle around and around and around!! 

Wednesday morning, we explored the Village - the Store, Sport Shop, Ansel Adams Gallery, Visitors Center, Indian Village (set up like it would've been all those years ago) - bought our souvenirs and left the Valley! We made the traditional stop at the Tunnel to snap a pic of the view. North Dome is behind El Capitan on the left. It's not visible from here at all. It's actually not visible from the Village even!

After 8 hours on the road we got back to Big Bear to a VERY excited Slugger!! He had stayed with Uncle Dave, Aunt Loni, and Cousin Cyrus (a big old beautiful black lab) and Cousin Luna (a small, old fighter). He has hardly left my side since :) If you ever want to feel loved, get a dog, leave for a few days and then come home!! 

Overall, this was an exceptional 72 hours!!! Thanks to my mom and dad for those vacations to Yosemite all those years ago and to dad for helping me realize this childhood dream!!! I couldn't ask for a better adventure partner!!

Lucky Numbers...

This is not a post about the lottery, sorry! It's about the movie "Lucky Numbers". Last summer in the midst of my movie mania, acclaimed director Nora Ephron died. I researched and there's only one movie of hers that I hadn't seen. Lucky Numbers. I could not find it anywhere, without actually purchasing it. Since I'd never even heard of it, I assumed it wasn't one of her best and therefore didn't think I needed to own it. I let the idea of watching it slide.

It's on TV right now!!! So, Rest in Peace Nora Ephron; thanks for the movies.

UPDATE: There's a reason I've never heard of it... Wasn't a love story either which surprised me.

Must be Summer...

It is June 1. School's out. I'm starting my second movie of the day. Apparently this is now a tradition!

I think a few things will be different in my movie watching this summer. First I doubt that I'll get 75 in. I will be traveling and hosting visitors too. Okay just one as of now.

Second I still have a long list that I want to see but this year I'm going to include movies that I may have seen but its been so long I have no recollection.

Tonight's double feature includes two such titles. Mermaids was this afternoon. All I remembred was teenage angst. Yup, that there was! And now I'm watching Peggy Sue Got Married. I really don't think I've ever seen it. And now I must stop typing so I'll know what's happening!

UPDATE:  I had NOT seen PSGM. It was okay. Not sure why everyone raves about it. Maybe it's just iconic of the era or something? At least now I can mark it off the list :)

Serious CHANGE!

To keep a long thought process relatively short... I got a dog. I will never stop missing George. George is not being replaced. I truly believe George would approve of this change. I can say all this and I know it. But I'm still pretty emotional about it, but dog and I didn't sleep all that well last night so I'm blaming it on sleep deprivation!!

Anyway, dog came to me with the name Bernard. He is adorable, energetic, protective, smart, funny, and so far a really great dog. But the name really isn't doing it for me! While on our first real walk today (2 miles!!) I called him Slugger. It just kind of came out. And I LIKE it!! He's sort of the color of a baseball bat, and of course I love baseball so it fits me more. I've been calling him Slugger a bit (Bernard some too) and he seems okay with it. He comes to clapping better than to his name anyway so I'll just start clapping and saying Slugger :) According to the interwebs, it IS possible to change his name. This will be his 3rd name at least. Though no one knows his original name.

So... HERE's SLUGGER!!