Together again

It has been far too long since we've all been together.


   

Kelsey, on the left, recently started blogging about children's books over at bookerdoodles.com. One of my new favorite sites.

Boating

There is nothing that brings back a stronger childhood memory then a warm summer day spent on the Lake. Everything's the same, except for the boat is growing old just like myself and the life jackets are tattered. There are the same smells, the same green algae slime, the same glassy warm water, the same midges that smack you in the face and the same chips and peanut butter sandwiches for lunch. My Dad can still throw it down on a slalom ski. We've watched him with pride for so many years and he still has the skills. My Mama still manages to go for a spin and somehow keep her hair completely dry. Apparently the only thing that's changed is the leeches found along the shore which are even larger and more disgusting then remembered.

All the fish in the sea

Willie Nelson & the Orange County Fair

Couldn't really ask for a better weekend then one that includes a Willie Nelson concert, a ferris wheel ride, surfing, warm water, my first fishing trip, catching my first fish, dinner on the patio each night & visiting with family.

House renovation: dining room

Before:


After:

Mt. Conness via North Ridge

Time was limited between a meeting Denver was to attend and a BBQ the following day. I did my best to pack-up while Denver was in the meeting but got distracted creating a lemon semifreddo dessert which seemed like a quick creation. It was quick, but the recipe used only egg yolks which left me with a dozen egg whites. The only sensible thing to do with a dozen egg whites is make an angel food cake, of course, so I was neck-deep in dessert and hadn't done much packing when Denver returned home. I suggested that we stay home and eat cake, but my comrades vetoed the suggestion. Lucky for us, we live just a couple of hours from Tuolumne and were able to make it to the trailhead for a few hours of sleep before starting the approach in the morning light. The approach was beautiful with numerous crystal clear alpine lakes, waterfalls, wildflowers and clean granite. So beautiful that I suggested we bag the climb sit on a nice boulder and eat some crackers while soaking in the view. Once again my suggestion was vetoed. The route was mostly 4th and easy 5th class so we decided that we could leave the rope and rack behind. There was a 5.6 down-climb section that was a bit sketchy, but overall the climb was great fun and the weather perfect.  We made it back to the car seven hours later and arrived home for the BBQ fun. Mission accomplished. Best day ever.


 
 

House renovation: living room

Before:

After:

Happy Independence Day!

Hope everyone is celebrating the 4th in style. We're kicking it at work today but planning on future firework viewing. Can't let the day slip away unnoticed,we are so thankful for the freedom we have here in the USA.

Mt Whitney via East Buttress

The East Buttress on Mt Whitney has been on our to-do list for a while but it's a bit tricky getting a last minute permit and weather/time window to align. We made it to the ranger station at 11 o'clock on the dot just in time for the permit lottery, drew the lucky number 7 and were on the trail that evening.  The hike up to Iceberg Lake took just under three hours which left us plenty of time to enjoy the view, scope out our route, filter water and wish that we had brought warmer sleeping bags. Denver led the route except for the top few pitches when we were able to throw the rope in the pack and put a move on things.


A perfect view of the East Buttress. You can see some headlamps of a party descending the Mountaineers Route.



 
           Approaching Iceberg Lake                                        At the base  of the climb


At the summit