Yosemite

A million years ago (May) we went to Yosemite and I'm finally getting around to posting pictures. Gear up for a lot of photos of us in front of amazing waterfalls. May has to be the best month to go to Yosemite. The place was packed with photographers which proves my point. It was gorgeous. I know that Andrew and I are sort of travel bugs but even if you aren't EVERYONE SHOULD GO TO YOSEMITE AT SOME POINT IN THEIR LIFE. I have no reservations about saying that it is a spiritual experience.

The only downside was that the first night we arrived it was freezing cold. I think it got down to 20 degrees. We stayed in Housekeeping which is half tent/half concrete wall. I honestly felt sick to my stomach as we unpacked our stuff that first night. It was one of those moments when I felt like the worst parent in the world because of what I was putting my kids through. It was SO COLD. But with lots of blankets and body heat, we survived and it was well worth it the rest of the 3 days we were there. The weather was perfect.

Half Dome

Lower Yosemite Falls

I'm glad that I am writing about this months later because I remember thinking while we were there how exhausting it is to camp with kids. It really is a lot of work. Especially with a 2.5 year old who likes to wander and a 5 month old who still cries a lot. But now that a few months have past I am only left with the fond memories of being all together with my boys, playing in the dirt and going on fun hikes. Having those memories is worth all the work. Plus I think I lost about 5 pounds of post-pregnancy weight.

One morning we decided to hike up to Upper Yosemite Falls (which is an ambitious undertaking with small children). It is a lot of uphill and Luke doesn't really hike yet so he rode on Andrew's shoulders and I carried Cam in the bjorn. I wish I could remember all the comments we got as we trekked along. I don't think we passed a single person who didn't say something. "Wow, you're amazing" (why, thank you), "wish I had a ride up like that kid," "I can hardly do this without carrying a child," etc, etc. In a way it sort of egged us on and we couldn't possibly turn back with all that encouragement. But I knew what they were really thinking in their heads was, "you're crazy!".

We met a really nice man with his wife who had a sweeeeet camera. He took a few pictures for us and said he would email them. It was really so nice of him and they were a very friendly couple to hike with for while. Later on, when he emailed the pictures to us, we realized he is the CMO of a major medical corporation. A really major medical corporation that shall remain nameless. We couldn't believe he was so nice to us little people. And I kind of wished I would have been wearing even just a little bit of makeup (I mean, we're hiking...who looks good when they're hiking, right?).

This is Vernal Falls. We have learned of several people dying here (just this summer) and I feel sick to my stomach every time I hear a new story. Even though they all left the trail, it is still scary to think about.

This is what we hiked up to get closer to the Falls. It was part of the trail but very steep, wet rock. This is where that "you are a bad parent" phrase came back with a vengeance and repeated in my head incessantly. I was so nervous especially with a wild card like Luke who has no fear and LOVES waterfalls. After getting close enough for a picture we turned around and booked it. I don't think we were reckless but in Yosemite you must have SO MUCH respect for the elements you're up against. I probably won't do this again until my kids are much older.

Vernal Falls from far away

This boy loved hugging the trees which was so cute.

This little stream was just about 100 feet from our campground. So perfect.

If you look closely, you can see the rock he is throwing in the stream...one of his favorite pastimes.

Lightning McQueen never left Luke's hand until the night before we left when it accidentally got lost on the shuttle. He is probably still in Yosemite somewhere if you happen to find him someday.

On our way home, we stopped to see the Giant Sequoias which were amazing to behold in real life.

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