Yosemite: Sunday
Oh, my legs were sore this morning. Also, I think I overate at breakfast because my stomach felt like there was a lead shoe sitting in it. But in spite of aches and pains, Daddy had a seven-eight mile hike that he PROMISED would only have a bit of fierce uphill at the beginning, after which it would be smooth, soothing downhill. He always says that, and we know how well it worked out yesterday. But off we went to the east entrance of Yosemite to the Gaylor Lakes trailhead.
The first mile or so is a steep uphill climb. At first I was in the lead because I was the slowest and would set a good pace. But my brother, hyped up by two huge plates of breakfast, was practically running up the mountain behind me. His presence behind me was making me walk much faster than a comfortable pace, and didn't want to use all my energy in the first mile. I let him pass after a few minutes, against my Dad's recommendation.
The view was stunning, and got better the higher we got.
The tall peak on the left is Mt. Dana. The higher we went, the more the trees thinned out.
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One of the last wildflowers hosting one of the last butterflies of the season. I was trying out the super-zoom on my camera. It did decently, but somewhat blurry.
The Dana Meadows.
Seanie's working on his scruffiness.
My Dad, all tricked out in his hiking gear.
At the top of the ridge, gazing down at the meadows below. I never feel as powerful as that beautiful moment when I realize I've completed a horrible task (like hiking uphill) and it really wasn't as horrible as I dreaded.
Gaaaw. This would have been such a great photo if our faces weren't completely obscured in shadow!!
Seanie gazing out at the beauty of Yosemite.
Something Seanie lectured me about on the trip was to take photos of *people* in front of beautiful vistas, not just the scenery, because in fifty years you won't remember the location but if you put a person in the picture, you'll hopefully remember them at least.
The rocks changed color at the park boundary as they switch from metamorphic to igneous. Or something like that. I don't actually remember anything from my geology class, which is a real pity because my teacher, Mr. Cook, was pretty awesome.
Pointing out the differences between rock types. Because, y'know, OMG ROCKS!!!
There was a lot of mining in the Granite Lakes area once upon a time, so some of the mountains are pretty torn up.
"It's all downhill from here." Daddy says.
For once in my life, I'm happy to hear it!!!!
Chipmunk!
My dad picked up one of the pinecones on the ground and gave Seanie a little lecture about how pinecones work.
It was cold and very windy, so I took out my sweater, but I didn't want to bother with taking my backpack off, so I wore it backwards and looked like a major dork.
The water in the lakes was a beautiful, deep blue. It would have been freezing cold, yet it was tempting to just jump in because it looked so refreshing.
The wind kept kicking up and trying to blow the hat right off my head.
Check it out. A nice big flat rock. Time for a nap.
The first mile or so is a steep uphill climb. At first I was in the lead because I was the slowest and would set a good pace. But my brother, hyped up by two huge plates of breakfast, was practically running up the mountain behind me. His presence behind me was making me walk much faster than a comfortable pace, and didn't want to use all my energy in the first mile. I let him pass after a few minutes, against my Dad's recommendation.
The view was stunning, and got better the higher we got.
The tall peak on the left is Mt. Dana. The higher we went, the more the trees thinned out.
One of the last wildflowers hosting one of the last butterflies of the season. I was trying out the super-zoom on my camera. It did decently, but somewhat blurry.
The Dana Meadows.
Seanie's working on his scruffiness.
My Dad, all tricked out in his hiking gear.
At the top of the ridge, gazing down at the meadows below. I never feel as powerful as that beautiful moment when I realize I've completed a horrible task (like hiking uphill) and it really wasn't as horrible as I dreaded.
Gaaaw. This would have been such a great photo if our faces weren't completely obscured in shadow!!
Seanie gazing out at the beauty of Yosemite.
Something Seanie lectured me about on the trip was to take photos of *people* in front of beautiful vistas, not just the scenery, because in fifty years you won't remember the location but if you put a person in the picture, you'll hopefully remember them at least.
The rocks changed color at the park boundary as they switch from metamorphic to igneous. Or something like that. I don't actually remember anything from my geology class, which is a real pity because my teacher, Mr. Cook, was pretty awesome.
Pointing out the differences between rock types. Because, y'know, OMG ROCKS!!!
There was a lot of mining in the Granite Lakes area once upon a time, so some of the mountains are pretty torn up.
"It's all downhill from here." Daddy says.
For once in my life, I'm happy to hear it!!!!
Chipmunk!
My dad picked up one of the pinecones on the ground and gave Seanie a little lecture about how pinecones work.
It was cold and very windy, so I took out my sweater, but I didn't want to bother with taking my backpack off, so I wore it backwards and looked like a major dork.
The water in the lakes was a beautiful, deep blue. It would have been freezing cold, yet it was tempting to just jump in because it looked so refreshing.
The wind kept kicking up and trying to blow the hat right off my head.
Check it out. A nice big flat rock. Time for a nap.