More Yosemite!

I've shared Yosemite with you all before, but there is so much to see and share. This is my third trip to Yosemite, and each time we've found a new adventure. We drove in along Highway 120 and down into the valley, which provided beautiful views of the roaring waterfalls. (Springtime is definitely the perfect time if you love waterfalls.) We stopped along Cascade Falls, and to get the view of Bridal Veil Falls. As we came into the valley we stopped at Bridal Veil Falls

(yes we've done this hike before, but it's quick and simply amazing to be that close to that much falling water). Don't forget your umbrella's.

Next we headed down the road to the Vernal Falls Trail head. The Vernal Falls Hike is a three mile hike, but gains about 1,000 feet in elevation (including 600 steps on the granite stairway to get to the top of the falls) which makes it a bit strenuous. It was amazing. The first 1.5 miles takes you to the bridge at the bottom of the falls,

while it is mostly uphill, it's on a path and is definitely doable. After checking out the great view from the bottom we headed to the top. Thankfully a kind couple descending passed their poncho onto us, because you definitely get wet.

The water coming off of the falls and the breeze creates a constant mist. This part of the hike is definitely strenuous, but a lot of fun, with an awesome view to stand on the top of the falls. We had a nice snack at the fast flowing pools above the falls before we headed down. Between Mom and Dad I sure had a nice (yet wet) ride.

Thanks Mom and Dad!

Oh and don't worry, even with all the outdoor adventures I still found some time to read (right in the mud;).

After a good nights sleep we decided to check out Cherry Lake, which is just outside Yosemite. The 24 mile road down to the lake was beautiful

and even shared its wildlife. We got to Cherry Lake, but wanted to explore a bit more. We took an unmarked dirt road, hoping it would lead us to a neighboring lake. After a long but fun bumpy road we made it back into Yosemite National Park to a trail head parking area

and decided on a quick hike. Less then a mile down the path brought us to a great picnic spot at Lake Eleanor. It was nice and peaceful down on the lake,

but the amazing roaring dam was what really captured the day for us. So, powerful, it was great to walk across it. Yosemite is a must. Hopefully, we'll be able to check it out again next year, if not sooner. Happy adventuring!

Summer Time?

Last weekend we went exploring. Our final destination was Yosemite, but we decided to make the drive down just as much of an adventure as the destination. Highway 4 starts (or ends) in Stockton, CA, and ends (or starts) at highway 395 close to the Nevada border and travels through the Sierra Mountains in the El Dorado and Stanislaus National Forests.
View Larger Map

The road is closed in the winter, but with it being June, and practically summer, we'd thought we'd give it a try. The road was definitely open, but our late snow fall (within the last two weeks) made for some beautiful winter landscapes. First, we found an awesome river and waterfall, just off of the main road.

Ebbetts Pass, the portion over the top of the mountain, made for some exciting driving with 6 foot snowbanks on one side of the road and the cliffs edge on the other. Not to mention the still frozen lakes. The overcast weather and almost deserted roads set the perfect mood for an almost winter drive. It was amazing that within an hour or so we went from winter, to summer. If you want to take a beautiful scenic drive Highway 4 should definitely make your list. Learn a bit more here.

Happy Driving!

Adventures in Skydiving

As summer is here I thought I'd share what I'll be doing almost every weekend this summer: hanging out at the Drop Zone and watching Papa skydive. It is one of my favorite places. (I spend most weeks talking about skydiving and airplanes). Let me share the airplanes with you. My favorite is the DC-3 (this one no longer flies, but it's still my favorite, I love to go touch the wings). This is the King Air (I get to practice jumping out of it, while it's on the ground of course). The one Papa jumps out of most often is the Twin Otter. (And yes, my parents are very proud that I can name each one of them.) I love to help Papa before his jumps by helping him do gear checks on his parachutes and encourage his tandem students to, "Have a good jump!"

My favorite part is when Papa lands. I yell "flare, flare, flare, Papa," as he comes in for a landing, and then as soon as all the parachutes are down I get to run out and meet Papa.

So, if you're in Northern California any weekend this summer (and are ready for some fun) stop by the Lodi Airport (just off of Hwy 99 about 30minutes south of Sacramento), or go ahead and stop by here to find a Drop Zone near you.

"My Darling AK"

AK’S BEDTIME ADVENTURE SONG

-sung to the tune of “My Darling Clementine”

(Chorus)

Oh my AK, my little AK

It is time to go to bed

You’ve had your dinner and your kisses

So rest your weary head.

There’s an AK a little AK

With a loving mom & dad

They live together and play together

And are hardly ever sad.

Chorus

The AK the little AK

Traveled with his mom & dad

They traveled to deserts and to mountains

And it was totally rad.

Chorus

They traveled far, they traveled wide

To lakes and rivers and shores

They traveled to beaches and to valleys

And to oh so many more.

Chorus

They drove on streets both wide and narrow

Dirt roads they loved the best

They drove all over in that Rover

But sometimes took a rest.

Chorus

They saw animals of plenty

Squirrels, snakes and moose and deer

Even once they saw a bear

But had only a little fear.

Chorus

Baseball games they really loved

Padres, Dodger, Oakland A’s

They saw the Angels and the Giants

But they haven’t seen the Braves.

Chorus

Springtime!

Yeah Spring is here, and spring in the mountains means water, and boy is it beautiful. Last weekend Auntie Mem came to visit me (and my mom, but mostly me). We took her out to Emerald Bay (see post below for more Emerald Bay).

With all that the snow melting Lower Eagle Falls was really flowing. It was fun to play in, but a bit cold.

With less snow on the ground, we did a little hike behind the bay up to the higher Eagle Falls. There was even a fun little bridge to cross right over the falls. We got to see wildlife, they were after the cracker crumbs I'd dropped. Thanks Auntie Mem that was a fun weekend. We've also started driving down the mountain a lot, and there is so much to see right now. Right along Highway 50 (heading towards Sacramento) there are beautiful flowing waterfalls all along the road and the river is flowing fast. We even did a little off roading to what use to be an old bridge and played down by the river. Dad and I sure loved throwing rocks into the river. On our way back up the mountain we took Highway 88 for a different view. There was a beautiful view of Bear River Reservoir and just across the Highway were many little waterfalls finding paths down the rocks. As we climbed higher into the mountains it felt less like spring and more like winter, especially looking at the still frozen snow covered lakes.

Boy is it beautiful!

Emerald Bay

Last week we had some warm sunny days (50 degrees, nice), so we took the opportunity to do some exploring. I've showed you pictures of Emerald Bay in the summer, but the snow adds another layer of adventure and beauty that must be shared.I sure had fun throwing rocks and playing in the melting snow.

Lower Eagle falls was especially beautiful!

So, we decided to have a closer look.What a beautiful day!
Springtime adventures, here we come!