Going to church in the mountains

John Muir called it Cathedral Peak because it was the first time he had been to church in the peaks of Yosemite. And we went there too!
There was backpacking, sucking wind at 8000-10000 feet, heavy packs, gorgeous trails, still lots of snow, and great times!

Our campsite was gorgeous. Good thing we set it up when we did.... it downpoured, hailed, and gusted wind for 90 minutes! Good nap time.

The next morning we climbed the peak. What a challenge, and what amazing views!

Here are just a couple pictures to give you a taste of the beauty.



See that peak all the way up there... makes me tired just thinkin of it!


Let's climb that crazy thing!


Camping by a snow patch, and look at those clouds rollin' in!


Yeah.... we totally did that!

Crazy, terrifying, and fun?!?!?

So last Saturday, my friend Andy and I embarked on yet another crazy adventure... that's right, another Big Wall climb. This time in beautiful Yosemite. The 'big wall' means that it takes more than a day to climb the beast, and it takes some advanced skills in some sections. No, we did not make it to the top this time either (aargh!!!), but we got a lot better and did some crazy stuff that ranks at the top of "Most terrifying things I have ever done" list. At least we are improving!?!?
Here are a few of the basics of the adventure:




Look at all the pretty gear! We love our gear, so it will stop us from falling (yea!)


Andy and the haul bag (appropriately named so we can haul up our food, water, sleeping bags...)



Taking a rest, and a snack (yes I am all safe and hooked in). This was a great seat, and check out the gorgeous view behind me. Part of Half Dome!



Me, jugging up a rope like a crazy person! But looking tough.. Yeah!



Andy hanging on the rope for a second. This was the terrifying and horribly difficult part of the climb. Pull yourself up the rope, and then over the ledge.... Twice!!! (the first day, and then came down, which means we had to go up again!!!) Talk about finding out what you are made of! (and bashing my leg in once over the edge too - ouch!)



Me hanging in mid-air under that horrific roof, and so I took a picture entitled "what the heck am I doing here? aaahhhhh!!!"



Andy and I at the highest point in our climb (gorgeous El Capitan in the background)



We actually had a little rock ledge to sleep on this time, instead of the scary port-a-ledge!



Me, just hangin' out.... literally hangin'!

Too cute!

Noah and Rosie.... dang, I love you guys! (and I love this pic)
It is so fun to talk and laugh with you!

Family Gatherings

As you know, I love my family. I also love just about any reason to get together. Even though my Grandpa Bird's funeral was not the happiest of reasons to gather, we found so many reasons to celebrate. We celebrated his life, his service to our country in the Army, and we celebrated being privileged to be his posterity. Blackfoot will not be the same to me when we don't stay at Grandpa's house. But I do have so many years of sweet memories with him and Grandma. Campouts and BBQs in the backyard, making fabulous chocolates, hearing stories of dry farming and the military, and the smell of coming home when you walked through that door. We were always welcome, and I will miss the phone calls to keep in touch when we couldn't visit as often as we like.


I had never been to a military funeral. It was beautiful, but "Taps" never sounded sooo sad!


The fam.


Adorable little cousins who are growing up so fast. I love you all!


Angela, Erika, and I. So good to get together and reminisce about the crazy teenage days, and make new memories too.


We had so much support and love from family and friends. Even my sweet great Aunts came!


Mom and Dad in front of the Homestead. So many memories revolved around that house for the last 50 years. Thanks for the memories!

And, thanks to my cute cousins and their sweet posts about Grandpa too. I loved reading your memories!