Yosemite!

Recently took a trip to Yosemite with my husband and a couple of friends. I spent most of the trip battling a rare breed of altitude sickness or something, but we still had an amazing time. We scaled Pothole Dome, lounged at Lake Tenaya, and challenged Eric's acrophobia at Glacier & Taft Points. The highlight for me, however, was our sunset/stargazing hike to the top of Sentinel dome. It was glorious to watch the sunset from there, and equally glorious to worship the night's stars with the Milky Way arched overhead. Of course, that meant a rather frightening mile hike down in the dark, during which we encountered "The Deerbear." Fortunately, we made it out alive! After four days in the park, we booked a pair of rooms at the old Ruby Inn, Bridgeport, because dining at Casa Michaela was must and sipping wine in a hottub is good.

Here are some beautiful moments (click image to view larger):

Bridalveil Falls
We hiked up to the pool at the base and enjoyed this amazing view for a while.

Grazing Deer outside of Curry Village
There were three of them, and they were within five feet of a crowd of people, completely undisturbed. It was amazing.

Lake Tenaya
(Eric was providing soundtrack!)

Sunset, Sentinel Dome

Stars, Sentinel Dome

The best Mexican food to be had in the State of California is to be had at Casa Michaela's about one mile south of Bridgeport. It's been family owned and operated for decades, and the recipes date back to the days of the Californios.

Poetry on the railing of the Mono Lake Vista Point.

Did I mention we went to Bodie? -- and honest-to-goodness Ghost Town!
I have a soft spot for that Old Western feel.

Bodie's Geometry

For some reason, I really took a liking to this house.