The Last of Yosemite, I promise

As previously mentioned, our snow lounge. It was so comfortable that we didn't get started on our Day 2 hike until noon.

Maybe you can read what's on the bucket. Maybe you can't. It reads "YI poop bucket." But it's not what you think. That would be crazy if people sat on it and pooped in there. No, we pooped in bags first and then put the bags in the bucket. Too much info? Probably. But in summer camping you just bury your poo. When there's snow, there's no ground to bury it under.

We hiked four miles to Dewey Point to get a view overlooking the valley. We didn't get back until 7:30 that night, which meant we were hiking in the dark, but it was gorgeous anyways.

My group on top of Dewey Point.

"Winter Thrival" part 2

We changed the name of the program from Winter Survival to Winter Thrival since it became obvious we were all going to survive. On Day Two it got up to 65 degrees during the day.

Jen showing us how to stay warm at night.

It took all of us to dig out our snow lounge. I'll put the final product up in the next set.

When you're out in the wild, you want to 'leave no trace.' So if you spill some marinara on your snow table, you better spoon it off and eat it.

The ground level view from inside my "tent." I was in what they call a "mid," which means there's no bottom to the tent. So I was pretty much sleeping on the snow.

Yosemite, "Winter Survival"

One of our two trail leaders, Sierra (L) shows our group where we're headed. We started from the Badger Pass ski area located right in the heart of Yosemite.

Here's most of the group gear we had to carry, either in our packs or pull on a sled behind us. The black cans on the left are bear cans, designed to keep the bears from smelling the food.

Right out of the gate, straight uphill, in snowshoes. The kids with the sleds brought up the rear. Carrying a 40 pound pack in the snow will get your heart going.

Jen, our other trail guide showing the group how to set up the tents in the snow. You can't stake the tents down since there's no solid ground. It's snow... everywhere. You have to use what's called "dead men anchors" where you freeze the tent line wrapped around a small stick down in the ground.

Yosemite, days one and two

I think I'm finally caught up on my sleep, so I can finally start my Yosemite recap.

After getting 130+ kids loaded onto the bus at 7:30am on a Saturday, we headed out for Yosemite. We stopped at "Inspiration Point" to take pictures of El Capitan (on the left) and Half Dome (on the right.)

This 10 x 12 slice of heaven was my home away from home for two nights before we camped in the snow. No complaints since it had a heater.

On Sunday we hiked through the valley, getting pictures of the park. Here's the upper half of Yosemite Falls.

more to come...

Weekend Exercise

I'm heading up to Yosemite next weekend. In preparation of that we did a little exercising this weekend:

After a run around the Rose Bowl, I took this shot of snow in the San Gabriels. Really unheard of for snow to be this close to us.

I bought some new hiking boots, so Erinn, Callie and I hiked up into the mountains nearby to break them in.

Me, exercising my Second Amendment at Angeles Ranges about 30 minutes northwest of us. Great range. I thoroughly killed all the metal animal swingers in front of me with my pistola. For a better view of the range, click on the picture

HAiRCUT!

Haircuts aren't for blogposts. I get that. But let's make an exception here.

So I'm getting my $14 haircut and the lady says "how do you part your hair?" I tell her I don't, unless I'm going to a wedding or something. She still throws a handful of gel on my head and combs out a coif that Grandpa would've been proud of.

Of course I immediately looked 10 years older (which would now make me look 25), so when I get home I practice some "Dad" poses for the years to come.

Here, Junior has said something intriguing, but I'll still probably answer his/ her question with either "No" or "What did your mother say?"

In this classic pose, Junior has just finished telling a ripping yarn about something or other, I wasn't really paying attention... something reminded me of how funny that Hi & Lois was from earlier today.

Obviously Junior has done something that I don't agree with here. He/ She will have to kneel on some grits in the corner to think about what he/ she has done. "And clean up those grits after your time's up."

"I'll have to think about it."

At least they're honest

"Hey, how's that new Chinese place near you?"
"It's just okay."

The cupcake to end all cupcakes

Erinn, Kristen and I braved the 66 degree temperatures to wait in line for 30 minutes at Sprinkles in Beverly Hills. We weren't on the guest list to go right to the front of the line. The wait was brutal, especially with the nastiness emanating from the neighboring La Salsa.

Finally made it home with our two boxes. Either my driving was bad or Kristen couldn't keep from picking at her selection.

Erinn expertly halving the pumpkin cupcake.

Kristen expertly eating her cupcakes with a fork. Those New Englanders are so proper. I ate mine with my fingers.

Happy New Year

I put together a changing table the other day. I think I put it together correctly. I mean, the directions and I were in the same room, but there was a game on, so who knows if it'll hold. I didn't get up there to test it out, but she looks sturdy enough.

See? Sturdy as a mule. Those canvas baskets must weigh at least 8 ounces each.

Mother Nature came knocking last night.

For those that want to see how Erinn's looking, we don't have any recent pictures. But this was from last year after we sat in the All You Can Eat seats at Dodger Stadium so you can use your imagination.