Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Monday, November 9, 2009
sorry for being MIA!
Wow, i can't believe it's been so long since my last post. I guess that's what happens when life gets in the way of blogging. :) I have been keeping busy. School. Vacations. Photos...
I have a TON of pix to share, but I will get to that later. in the mean time, enjoy this video of a book that Will created. :) He likes to make Bolt books. Here is his summary of the movie. Enjoy.
I have a TON of pix to share, but I will get to that later. in the mean time, enjoy this video of a book that Will created. :) He likes to make Bolt books. Here is his summary of the movie. Enjoy.
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Beauty
"A country of wonderful contrast, hot deserts bordered by snowladen mountains, cinders and ashes scattered on glacier-polished pavement, frost and fire working together in the making of beauty."
John Muir
Sunflowers and the White Mountains
I am amazed at how big trees can grow on Rocks!
San Juaquin River, meadow, reflection of the cliff wall in the water.
Rock On!
Mono Lake
Banner Peak Reflection
Layers
Tufas in Mono Lake
Dad. Matt. Me. Tufas, Mono Lake
San Juaquin Cascades
Canyon Wall
6,000+ year old Bristle Cone Pine Tree. (and it's still alive!)
Twisted Bristlecone Tree
Good Morning, Flowers, Banner Peak, and Thousand Island Lake!
Early Morning Light on Banner Peak.
Thousand Island Lake
Outlet of water from Thousand Island Lake
My Dad ROCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I just have to say one thing....
MY DAD FREAKIN' ROCKS!!!!!!!
He just does. He has great stories, and he is a fun hiking buddy. I am super proud of him, and for all that he did last week. That was a LOT of hiking, and altitude changes. He rocked it! Here's some proof!
At the Trailhead
The sun was going down behind my very tired dad. We had just hiked about 6 miles UP. to over 10,000 ft. the sun had beat down on us, and the wind whipped at us all day. We were POOPED! This is Pop getting ready to make coffee, then go to bed.
Ansel Adams Wilderness
Hiking down into the San Juaquin River valley.
This was Dad going down into the valley. The hike down was nice, but UP it, was ROUGH!!!
Getting ready to make breakfast at Thousand Island Lake. It was a COLD morning up there!
We finally were able to see Banner Peak. A beakon telling us that we were almost to Thousand Island Lake.
Banner Peak, Dad, and smaller trees. We were above the tree line.
Dad Chillin'
Checkin' the Map on a rest.
Small creek crossing
Stream crossing
Dad getting into the bear canister
Camping with my Pop
This is the tarp that we were hoping would help protect us from the sun and wind. well, a second after i took this photo, the wind picked it up like a sail, and knocked it down. Dad and I worked on that darn thing for too long. We are both glad we slept under the stars that night. The light show was amazing!
That big boulder above and to the left of the tarp point (middle point) is where I saw the bear.
This is me and my pack. It weighed over 30 pounds. This is BEFORE we did all the hiking. :)
Me and Pop making dinner the first night in the back country. We camped along the side of the San Juaquin River. In the canyon the river had etched out of granite.
This is looking back, from where we had hiked.
Hiking down into the valley. This was a nice hike down, but very exhausting hiking back up.
Campsite beside the river
This is my cousin's tent, where Dad and I slept the first night in California.
Our beds. The tarp was tied to a tree, and ready, in case we needed some shelter, to pull over us.
Campsite over 10,000 ft. at Thousand Island Lake.
................MORE PIX TO COME..........
Back from California
we flew out to Reno, and met my cousin. he's a total kindred spirit of mine. I hadn't seen him in a few years, so it was great to see him. we went to REI (a camping store), for last minute things we needed. (like fuel for our little stove) Then we drove down towards Mammoth for dinner, and drove around on some dirt roads and set up camp in some random woods. It started raining, so my cuz, brought out his little pup tent. Dad and I slept in that, while my cuz slept in his truck. the tent was SMALL! 2 people can fit in it, but it's tight. Dad rolled over on me once, and i said, "dad, you are squishing me!" Dad answered,"I couldn't squish a sweeter person." But he didn't roll over!
The next morning was cold and rainy. Not what i was wanting to start my trip with. But i know the mountains and desert need the rain. So, we wandered around Mammoth and then went up to Mono Lake. We explored the Tufas at Mono, and then got our permits and bear cannister for the backpacking part of the trip. It rained all day. So, dad and I decided to head over Tioga Pass and go into Yosemite. There, the weather changed. The clouds lifted, the sun came out. I got to see Half Dome and El Cap, and the valley. I love it out there! we rented a room for the night, so we could have beds, and repack all of our gear for the backcountry. the room was gross. the carpet was SOAKING wet! and there were mice EVERYWHERE! they got into my food bag, and ate some of my trail mix. they even got on my bed! YUK!
The next morning, after Breakfast, Dad and I took off for Mammoth, where we take a shuttle as close to the trailhead as they take us. We still had about 1/2 mile to hike before we get into Agnew Meadows for the hike. The first day we hiked about 6 miles. Into a river valley. The trail we took followed the cascading, twisting, turning, San Juaquin River. We camped that night next to the river. It was beautiful! the sound of the rushing water all night was a great lullaby. The winds were colder down there in the valley, but it was peaceful.
The next morning, we had breakfast, packed up, and then continued hiking. This part was harder. IT was about 5 miles of up hill. We hiked to the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT), and then another couple miles up to Thousand Island Lake. IT was a hard day. We took lots of breaks, and enjoyed the surrounding. After a long day of hiking, we finally turned a corner, around big granite boulders, and low and behold there was Banner Peak, and the outlet to the Lake. Lots of smaller, blue pools of cold water, framed with flowers and rocks. It was breath taking. Literally and figuratively. (we were now over 10,000 feet in altitude. Kansas city is about 800 ft. above sea level) The sun was beating us, the wind was pounding us, the altitude and thirst and exhaustion were affecting us. We tried for about an hour to figure out how to get our tarp up to make some shelter from the wind and sun. we got it up, but a second after i took a photo of it, the wind lifted up the rocks that were holding it down and made a big sail out of it. Dad and I decided to just forget it, and sleep under the stars. That night, the sky filled with more stars than i have ever seen. An arm of the Milkyway stretched across the sky. I saw at least 5 shooting stars before i slept. I kept waking up, just to see the amazing light show above. a pack of coyotes raised their voices in chorus. it was very cool to hear. About an hour before dawn, a strange sound woke me. It was a bear cannister falling down the rocks and boulders towards my campsite. (there were a couple of kids camping on the rocks above us) a bear was rolling the cannister down the steep rocky wall. I turned on my headlamp, and saw 2 glowing eyes looking at me. I stood up, and walked around, shining my light in the bear's direction. he tried to open the canister, but was unsuccessful, and i think i spooked him away. After he left, i curled back in my sleeping bag, and watched Banner Peak slowly change colors as the morning sun started to shine. I struggled for a few minutes. i was so cold, and didn't want to get out of my sleeping bag, but i wanted photos of the light play on the peak. the photographer in me finally won over the cold, tired me. Thankfully.
After a cold breakfast, and lots of pix, Dad and i packed up our camp site. and hiked over 10 miles down and back up out of the river valley. Dad says he's never been so exhausted in his life. i admit, it was super hard for me, too. the last 2 miles or so were all up hill. one mile of it was going up the side of the river gorge, there was granite wall on one side, 2-3 feet of trail, and then a HUGE cliff/drop off on the other side. I started getting virtigo there. But we made it. we took our time, paced our selves. rested in the shade when we could. drank as much water as possible, and we made it. How many 75 year old men do you know who will go backpacking for over 20 miles? not many. My dad rocks! as soon as we got back to civilization, we HAD to get milkshakes at Ben and Jerry's. it was good! we then headed down south, and motelled it.
The next morning, we went to the Ancient Bristlecone forest. These pine trees are over 3000 years old! some are still alive! Totally inspiring! Then we drove up to Mono Lake, again. Dropped off our bear cannister, and explored the visitor's center. Then we went to Bodie ghost town. We spent a few hours wandering up there, taking pix, and then headed to Reno. That night, i hung out w/ my cuz again, had a yummy dinner, and then slept in a nice motel!
bright and early, we said goodbye to the sierras, and headed back home to my boys! It was a great trip, and amazing! but we were both happy to get home, too. I missed my boys, and they missed me. I am still sore, my hips and shoulders are brused up a little, and my calves feel like they are made of bricks. I have memories to last a lifetime.
my next posts will be full of photos from this adventure...
The next morning was cold and rainy. Not what i was wanting to start my trip with. But i know the mountains and desert need the rain. So, we wandered around Mammoth and then went up to Mono Lake. We explored the Tufas at Mono, and then got our permits and bear cannister for the backpacking part of the trip. It rained all day. So, dad and I decided to head over Tioga Pass and go into Yosemite. There, the weather changed. The clouds lifted, the sun came out. I got to see Half Dome and El Cap, and the valley. I love it out there! we rented a room for the night, so we could have beds, and repack all of our gear for the backcountry. the room was gross. the carpet was SOAKING wet! and there were mice EVERYWHERE! they got into my food bag, and ate some of my trail mix. they even got on my bed! YUK!
The next morning, after Breakfast, Dad and I took off for Mammoth, where we take a shuttle as close to the trailhead as they take us. We still had about 1/2 mile to hike before we get into Agnew Meadows for the hike. The first day we hiked about 6 miles. Into a river valley. The trail we took followed the cascading, twisting, turning, San Juaquin River. We camped that night next to the river. It was beautiful! the sound of the rushing water all night was a great lullaby. The winds were colder down there in the valley, but it was peaceful.
The next morning, we had breakfast, packed up, and then continued hiking. This part was harder. IT was about 5 miles of up hill. We hiked to the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT), and then another couple miles up to Thousand Island Lake. IT was a hard day. We took lots of breaks, and enjoyed the surrounding. After a long day of hiking, we finally turned a corner, around big granite boulders, and low and behold there was Banner Peak, and the outlet to the Lake. Lots of smaller, blue pools of cold water, framed with flowers and rocks. It was breath taking. Literally and figuratively. (we were now over 10,000 feet in altitude. Kansas city is about 800 ft. above sea level) The sun was beating us, the wind was pounding us, the altitude and thirst and exhaustion were affecting us. We tried for about an hour to figure out how to get our tarp up to make some shelter from the wind and sun. we got it up, but a second after i took a photo of it, the wind lifted up the rocks that were holding it down and made a big sail out of it. Dad and I decided to just forget it, and sleep under the stars. That night, the sky filled with more stars than i have ever seen. An arm of the Milkyway stretched across the sky. I saw at least 5 shooting stars before i slept. I kept waking up, just to see the amazing light show above. a pack of coyotes raised their voices in chorus. it was very cool to hear. About an hour before dawn, a strange sound woke me. It was a bear cannister falling down the rocks and boulders towards my campsite. (there were a couple of kids camping on the rocks above us) a bear was rolling the cannister down the steep rocky wall. I turned on my headlamp, and saw 2 glowing eyes looking at me. I stood up, and walked around, shining my light in the bear's direction. he tried to open the canister, but was unsuccessful, and i think i spooked him away. After he left, i curled back in my sleeping bag, and watched Banner Peak slowly change colors as the morning sun started to shine. I struggled for a few minutes. i was so cold, and didn't want to get out of my sleeping bag, but i wanted photos of the light play on the peak. the photographer in me finally won over the cold, tired me. Thankfully.
After a cold breakfast, and lots of pix, Dad and i packed up our camp site. and hiked over 10 miles down and back up out of the river valley. Dad says he's never been so exhausted in his life. i admit, it was super hard for me, too. the last 2 miles or so were all up hill. one mile of it was going up the side of the river gorge, there was granite wall on one side, 2-3 feet of trail, and then a HUGE cliff/drop off on the other side. I started getting virtigo there. But we made it. we took our time, paced our selves. rested in the shade when we could. drank as much water as possible, and we made it. How many 75 year old men do you know who will go backpacking for over 20 miles? not many. My dad rocks! as soon as we got back to civilization, we HAD to get milkshakes at Ben and Jerry's. it was good! we then headed down south, and motelled it.
The next morning, we went to the Ancient Bristlecone forest. These pine trees are over 3000 years old! some are still alive! Totally inspiring! Then we drove up to Mono Lake, again. Dropped off our bear cannister, and explored the visitor's center. Then we went to Bodie ghost town. We spent a few hours wandering up there, taking pix, and then headed to Reno. That night, i hung out w/ my cuz again, had a yummy dinner, and then slept in a nice motel!
bright and early, we said goodbye to the sierras, and headed back home to my boys! It was a great trip, and amazing! but we were both happy to get home, too. I missed my boys, and they missed me. I am still sore, my hips and shoulders are brused up a little, and my calves feel like they are made of bricks. I have memories to last a lifetime.
my next posts will be full of photos from this adventure...
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Spencer's Pix
The other night, I gave Spencer my camera to go photograph Daddy's band. He walked right up to the stage, and snapped a TON of pix. LOTS of pix of the ceiling, or blurry images. These are my favorites.
From the perspective of a 3 year old. :)
There's Daddy's feet! hahahaha!!!
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