The Vacation of a Lifetime

The best experience is the one you least expect. This can be said about our trip to Tahoe and Yosemite. I knew we would have a great time with our friends from Phoenix staying at a luxury home right on Lake Tahoe (had indoor plumbing which is always a plus), but I was inspired by the trip. After an incredible evening hanging out on the outdoor patio overlooking Lake Tahoe, watching the boys fish from the boulders outcropping from the water, Roby and I mapped out our bike ride along the Famous Flume Trail. This has been on our bucket list for years and we were finally going to ride it. We decided to do an out and back trip instead of taking the shuttle. We arrived at the trailhead, suited up for the ride and headed out. The first five miles were along an old jeep trail through the woods. Did I mention the entire ride was uphill. The struggle paid off when we reached the summit and rode around Spooner Lake before we hit the Flume Trail. The entrance sign reads Careful, steep route, rock slides! No time to think we headed down the rock slope. Once out of the woods we emerged on the single track trail hugging the mountain ledge with the most amazing view of Lake Tahoe and the surrounding Sierras. One false move and you would be swimming! One of the best mountain bike rides we have been on-the beautiful scenery, the perfect weather and the peacefulness of the ride. Put it on your bucket list.

4 1/2 hours late we returned to the truck, gave each other a high five, and knew we had just experienced an epic ride.

Not thinking we were going to top it, we headed the next morning to Yosemite to hike Half Dome. Another bucket list adventure. We had been to Yosemite about 8 years ago and only made it to Vernal Falls so we were motivated to hike to the TOP. Luck was on our side because we were able to get the last two Wilderness permits. Yosemite is known for its bear activity so while camping the night before our hike we encountered two bears in the campgrounds. Thankfully they were only curious and all the food was locked away.

The next morning we headed to the trailhead along with many other hikers. We met four retired guys hiking the entire John Muir trail which was going to take them 3 weeks and over 210 miles. It goes from Yosemite to Mt. Whitney. We were jealous. I guess we need to put it on our List. the trail is well maintained and well traveled. Once we reached the "Y" intersection we had to decide "the easy way or the hard way". Which route do you think Roby picked. Yep, we climbed the "stairs" for 3 miles past Vernal and Nevada Falls. We stopped for a much needed pee break and re-nourished ourselves on peanut butter and jelly before we finished the final four miles to the summit. Since we were going to camp near the base of Half Dome, we decided to drop our packs before we headed to the Rock. Good idea since the 2 mile hike was in the heat of the day and plenty more "stairs". The entire way you can watch the people clutching the cables to ascend the mountain. Not until you reach the final quarter mile do you realize how steep the Rock is. Although it is not a "technical climb" it is intense. Thankfully they have a huge pile of gloves for people to chose from to wear. No line so we had no excuse. Put on the gloves and Go. After a few trial rungs, we got the hang of it and slowly reached the summit. Another high five was in order. We watched the birds soar showing off their flying skills, checked out the valley floor beneath us and took in the silence!

Once we reached the Floor we found the perfect camp spot with a stream nearby to fill up our Kanteens. We enjoyed our salmon noodle supper and settled in for a night of sugar plums dancing in our heads. That was until the bears hit our camp. Roby had our ammunition ready tentside- rocks and hiking poles with the pepper spray nearby. One started sniffing our backpacks but Roby had good aim and scared it away. No more
furry friends that night.

After an early morning breakfast with the local deer grazing nearby, we headed back down the trail. Thinking we had avoided all of nature's critters, we let our guard down when we stopped at Nevada Falls for a lunch break. We left our backpacks by the tree jutting out of the rock near the observation deck and took a stroll to get a better glimpse of the Falls. When we returned we found a pesky squirrel eating through my pack to get to my peanut butter and jelly sandwich. I was not as angry with the hole in my pack but with the one he chewed through in my eco-sandwich wrap!!

We chose to take the John Muir trail back avoiding the "steps" and received a whole new perspective of Yosemite Valley. The finishing touches were a swim in the Merced and beers on the "beach" along the Merced sitting in our Kukuiula chairs!



Unless you have been to Yosemite, it is hard to explain its Magic. Being the first National Park with the influence of Ansel Adams, Frederick Law Olmstead and John Muir,Yosemite is the King with the rock outcrops of Half Done, El Capitan, and the power of the Merced River.