Happy Memorial Day

Xoxo

Evening walk along the Truckee River

We had an early dinner and so I took the opportunity to walk along the river. It was a gorgeous night!

The sky here is so blue!

Xoxo

Sleeping bag selfie

Brit and I are camping in the back of the truck this weekend because there isn't enough space for us inside at the cabin. He gave me my birthday present early: my very own sleeping bag!

Xoxo

Out on Lake Tahoe

And the view is gorgeous!!

Spencer is one cool kid

Heading into Emerald Bay

They aren't kidding when they say that the water is really clear! As was explained on the boat, the water is so pristine that the deeper areas reflect the sky: when it is sunny, the lake reflects the deep blue of the sky; when it is cloudy, the lake turns a steely gray. Emerald Bay is shallow and surrounded by wooded mountains and so the water is the gorgeous green you see here. Amazing!!

Xoxo

Senior Injury Prevention Program Conference

I can't sit all day during the conference and the view is pretty good!

Xoxo

Evening walk

I went the long way around the lake to get my CSA box tonight and it was perfect! 66*, sunny, and lots of people out and smiling. 

So great!

Xoxo

Ellie's birthday ride

We had an incredible ride today (75.3 miles) with some unbelievable views, fun conversation, and delicious food. Seriously the best soup I've ever eaten (probably due in part to how hungry I was!)

Ellie's friends Dean and Susan let me come along!

Who would think that a you-pick berry farm would have the most delicious vegan soup ever? Not to mention pies, cobblers, and fresh strawberry lemonade!

Birthday lunch with four desserts!

We decided to say hello to the ocean!

Love this girl!!

I didn't know I had taken this one until I got home!

Xoxo

Computer background

I regularly change the background photos on my computers at work to make me smile. They also tend to make my clients smile and ask questions: goes to show you don't have to speak the same language to love cute kiddos!

Xoxo

Sushi Party!

Marie and Avram came over last night and we made a sushi feast! 

Prepping

That's a lot of food (the two desserts I made are not pictured)

The aftermath: we even ate the fish off of the rolls we didn't want so that it didn't get wasted!

Xoxo

Roses

Exceptionally pretty and fragrant!

Xoxo

I love to ride my bicycle

And so that's what I did this morning! Today was different for two major reasons: 1. it was my first long ride alone; 2. I didn't really have a plan for where to go other than a few roads I knew. I had my phone and extra battery with one headphone in for Google directions as needed and headed out!

Four and a half hours and 53.2 miles later, I made it back home!! I did a ton of hills today, which was tough but also afforded some amazing views of Oakland and the surrounding areas. 

The Golden Gate Bridge is way off in the background 

This was such a great day!

Xoxo

My day of rest

I decided to really rest on Sunday after my monster 23 mile hike Saturday. That meant doing some yoga and stretching in the sunshine while Brit and Mark did some skills climbing. 

The view from my yoga mat in the sun. In my book, it doesn't get any better!

Getting ready to climb on little hooks (skills practice for these guys means doing the scary stuff while attached to a safety rope, which makes everything much less risky. I like that)

I am always grateful that Brit doesn't try to pressure me to climb. This doesn't look like fun to me, though it is really impressive!

We also tried the camper shell for the first time this weekend, which was great. More comfortable than the ground and even a little warmer! 

Xoxo

White Whale

Last year, I attempted the 21 mile hike from Yosemite Valley to Cloud's Rest, arguably one of the most difficult and rewarding hikes from the Valley. I didn't make it for several reasons (including bear warnings) and was determined to finish it this year. Deciding there is no time like the present, I set out to "bag" it this time. 

I set out early, which meant it was very chilly when I left! Two pairs of pants, four shirts, and a hand warmer (you know me!!) kept me warm enough and were shed along the way. 

It was awesome to see how much more water there was all over the park because of El Niño, but it made for some treacherous conditions in a few spots (especially early, when entire portions of the trail were ice!) The top of the hike was enshrouded in icy snow, which was kind of scary and meant I didn't take a ton of photos. 

Snow on the High Sierras

First encounter of snow on the trail: I didn't know what I was in for!

You can't really see (it was sooo bright and I couldn't tell what I was photographing), but the part of the trail past the tree is a waterfall right where I should be hiking. Definitely some fun problem solving on this hike!

Sap-cicles 

A view of Half Dome I haven't seen before!

"Huh, that's a lot of snow. Where did the trail go?" From here, I went straight up to the top, which seemed safer and more do-able. It turns out everyone else did, too: I saw about three other tracks. The snow was quite deep (13"?) but melting quickly because it was very warm. I think this is the last weekend I would want to hike up there before the snow pack melts so much that it is dangerous to walk on.

I don't remember what I was going for here...;-)

I went as high up at the summit as felt safe. If you know me, you know this means I made it to the flat, rocky part, took photos, and hightailed it back down the snow!!! I can't handle sheer drop offs.

"Hike around there on ice to get the 360* views? No, thank you". I figure I can always approach it from the other direction, which is significantly shorter and easier, some time in the future and get the "full view". For now, I am counting this!!

The trail was much less icy but also much wetter on the way back down. Nevada Falls was raging!

It was wonderful to see so much water, though I know the drought isn't over. Please note the wooden railing at the bottom of the photo: I take my safety very seriously and won't get anywhere near the water!!!

"I did it!!"

Xoxo