Yosemite Trip 2011

This is the first time we went up to Glacier Point. The view was spectacular! We were glad to get a close-up view of the Half Dome, since we are not ready to conquer it yet. We did the Four Mile Trail from Glacier Point (7000+ feet) to the Yosemite Valley. Although it was just all downhill walk, it was strenuous enough to cause some pain for a couple days.

The waterfalls are still at their fullest at this time of the year, and attracted many visitors. We saw more people in the Yosemite Valley than in downtown San Jose! After the tiring hike the day before, we could only go to two of the shorter trails to see Bridal Veil Fall and Lower Yosemite Fall, and to get a close encounter with the awesome beauties.

Joshua Tree Camping Trip 2011

We had so much fun cruising around the Joshua Tree National Park last winter that we decided to go back for a camping trip, despite the summer heat. Incidentally, the temperature those few days were as hot in the Bay Area!

The rock formation at Joshua Tree is really amazing, and the kids had so much fun climbing them and running freely around, picking their secret hideouts, making their weapons with yucca and other natural materials, getting face-to-face with some desert animals, and watching the beautiful sunset and night sky.