So that brings me back. The feeling of disconnection reminded me of our recent backpacking trip and I realized I forgot to blog about it. Now is a good time with the last minutes of my laptop battery. Though I cannot post until the power is back up.


Yosemite is one of the most beautiful places. The crowds are what kept us away for so long. Or maybe our horrible ability to make decisions because there are always so many cool things to do. We decided to hit this at the very end of summer and starting on a Sunday, hoping to avoid any crowds that might possibly be near Half Dome. We began our first steps out of Tenaya Lake and climbed Clouds Rest.

Climbing Clouds Rest The views were breathtaking. I am not sure if pictures will do it justice. Ultimately, I think you have to be up there for yourself! So start planning your trip for next year.

our first sighting of half dome from the top of Clouds Rest

We camped at the John Muir Trail junction and had a mama bear and baby cub come through our neighbors site…while Casey was cooking our dinner. I yelled to him to give him the warning but made sure I stayed close to our gear. Really…who wants to be near food when a bear is nearby?! The bear was extra cautious since she was with her cub and they quickly left us all alone. We got to eat in peace and passed out. 5am wake-up to start the hike to half dome. No food and no coffee into it I really don’t remember too much. Until here…time to wake up!

Climbers before have said “you don’t realize how steep it is until you are looking in the face of it”. Well, that was true. I grabbed a used pair of gloves from the pile at the bottom and began climbing, Casey in tow. I wanted him with me if I was going down and probably would have jumped if he was. But it really wasn’t THAT dangerous, mom, I swear!


Not much else to describe it but it definitely takes your breath away. Both literally and figuratively. Though I hike at the speed of light so that could have been the literal portion. The views from the top were everything you would expect. There were actually even some people napping up there that had done a mid-night climb! Jealous!

By the time we were done with the 5 mile out-of-the-way hike to get to climb Half Dome, we were spent. But still had many miles to go until Sunrise camp, our stop for the night. My quads and glutes were sore, a good sore, my calves were burning and my toenails were all but one taped. Waiting to see if I lose a couple that are mostly bruised. Toes crossed!!


Sunrise camp was total luxury. Pit toilets, a secret pond to bathe in and a mountain that promised a beautiful sunrise. I had to wear my boots to keep my disgustingly blistered toes clean and my style was that of a true mountain woman.

We slept great and even made it up for coffee and sunrise!

The following day I would like to block out. I was in terrible pain and probably bitched a lot which makes me sure Casey would like to block it out as well. Though Cathedral Peak was all that we expected.

So back at the car a day early. Great feeling. What to do. What to do. We quickly get on our iphones and look at options. Our only restriction is that it has to be within a 3 hour drive. Within 30 minutes we are slamming a Gatorade and on our way to South Lake Tahoe for a couple nights! It won at 2 hours and 45 minutes!


Vegged on a lakefront beach with crystal clear waters and mountain views. Refueled our bodies while eating every meal out. Helped our waitress in finding a job in San Diego when she moves here next month. Discovered Sprouts Natural Café which is the best place on earth! I could die a happy girl if they open in SD!


Up next….San Francisco and Sausalito to hang with some friends from Jersey. Beer bars and tourist things. Cold weather which felt amazing and made me excited for fall. Great city! The highlight was for Casey on this one. After Una Pizza Napoletana shut its doors in Manhattan, Casey was devastated that he never got to try “the best pizza ever!” However, we all know he is a very lucky man (no, no, not just because he is married to me!), but because Una Pizza relocated to San Francisco and we made it in time before the dough ran out! Casey was STOKED!


On the road again… Santa Cruz. LOVED IT! And Casey said, and I quote…”South swell was showing with bombing sets and cold water”!!  As good as the vibes were in that town, we were ready for home. Our king size tempur-pedic was going to feel way too good to spend another night in a foreign place.

1,326 miles later…home sweet home.


More photos here!