Last night at Yosemite and Sequoia National Park

Here's some pics of our accommodations at Yosemite. Anyone want to join us next time?











What more could we want .... Maybe a couple more blankets???

As we were leaving Yosemite, Drew snapped a few more shots of the beautiful landscape












Decided that our last full day in CA would be spent in Sequoia National Park so the drive began. Take a look at what we came upon once we got to the park.


















If you've never seen these huge trees, it's hard to give you perspective. I had read and saw pictures, but nothing prepared me for their immense size and girth. Walking in the beautiful forest was quite humbling.







General Sherman, the giant Sequoia was taken on our hike through the Giant Forest. We drove down the General's Highway and saw many more giants.





Here's one that had fallen so a tunnel was cut to give you an idea of its size. We also saw a momma bear with her two cubs right along the highway






Time to head back to LA to say goodbye to this beautiful country and Shan and Carl. Wonder what our next adventures will be with their travels.


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Location:Yosemite and Sequoia NP

Damn you Shan and the road less travelled

When I was planning our trip west, Wedding daughter, Shan said, "oh, you haven't really experienced Yosemite unless you stay in a tent cabin." So like a dutiful mother who thinks her daughter is so smart, I called up the park and reserved a tent cabin. Thank heavens I had done a little research first and found that I could reserve a heated cabin. That became VERY important as we prepared for bed and it was 36 degrees ( yes not kidding). We each had 2 blankets and even with the "heat," it was still cold BUT we couldn't see our breath Yes, Shan, it was an experience, and, one we get to experience yet again tonight.
After waking up and taking a hot shower and having breakfast, we headed out to hike. We decided to take the Mist Trail. WOW!! If you've not experienced it, it's hard to imagine what we had to hike AND what we saw. The pictures don't do it justice but it will give you an idea.











During our walk on Mist Trail, we turned around and captured this rainbow off of Vernal Falls below.





Drew talked us into continuing our climb to Nevada Falls. It went straight up and as you can see below, the stone steps were wet. It wasn't any easy climb but thankfully there was a handrail on this section. Linda and I didn't think we would have ventured if there hadn't been one.





Then instead of going back down the way we came up, we decided it seemed a little safer to take the John Muir Trail which ascended some more but the descent was easier. Here are some more photos of Nevada Falls on the way back.





We ended up hiking about 6.5 miles on that hike. Got some lunch and headed back out to see Yosemite Falls, the longest falls in the US about 2,500 feet.





We're all so tired and it's only 6:30. Not sure we can keep awake until normal bedtime. Tomorrow we are thinking of driving to Sequoia National Park to see more redwood trees. Stay tuned. Night.

Location:Yosemite National Park

On the road again to Yosemite NP

Leaving the desert of Pioneer Town was very bittersweet. We had such a wonderful time at the wedding house. But we have a new adventure. Lin, Drew Bill, and I left early for our drive to Yosemite. Everyone else were leaving the wedding house but going back to Shan and Carl's house. Not quite sure what all they will be doing. If it's up to Winter, it will be more rock climbing. If it's up to Kristen, it will be a stop at the Cactus Mart to buy some cacti. We shall see. I'm sure there will be some interesting stories for us when we return.

Ok, who's idea was this to come to Yosemite in the spring? As we were driving closer and closer, the clouds kept getting thicker and thicker. Then as we drove to Mariposa Grove (one of my "planned" hikes, it started snowing and throwing in a little ice. The temperature started to fall from a balmy 58 down to 39 when we got to the grove. But would a little snow and sleet stop us? No, BUT we weren't able to drive up due to the weather. We put on some extra layers of clothing and away we went. We had to hike uphill 2 miles to the trailhead





and then a couple more miles to the Grizzly Giant, one of the largest trees in the Mariposa Grove and is estimated to be 1,800 years old. It's the one in the middle of the picture. One of it's limbs is 7 feet in diameter


Then we hiked further to the California Tunnel Tree, cut in1895 to allow horse drawn stages to pass through.


When we finished the trail, we noticed they had opened up the road. Before that we were only saw 2 other groups of people walking up the road. But those people in cars wouldn't have seen this interesting tree


Well that's it for now. We are on the road again to find our tent cabin. Yes we are staying in a tent. Shan said that it's the only way to experience Yosemite! We'll let her know, I'm sure.

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Location:From Pioneer Town to Yosemite

Ultimate brunch and belay

Chef Shuffy never got a cramp in his hand like he did after cooking for this crowd.


He started cooking breakfast burritos at 7:30 for the campers at our house (Carl and Shan's friends) and us. Then the next wave of people came (more friends who stayed or camped in Joshua Tree). Last wave was Carl's family. Everyone had such a great time catching up with each other and making new friends. There was such a close family feeling the whole weekend. Shan and Carl are so blessed. Sister Kristen started squeezing OJ for the crew and almost got carpal tunnel. We only had 2 bushels (yes, that's a correct figure) of oranges that Kristen, Lin and I had picked from Shan and Carl's backyard.



Some of the camping crew Bill was feeding.

After we finished the feed of the 5,000, Shan and Carl took us to Joshua Tree NP for rock climbing.


Bet you can't tell which is the Joshua Tree and which are the humans!


Kristen, Lin, Drew and I went for a hike while the rest put on rock climbing gear.








This adventure tired everyone out, even Winter. Back to the house and hot tub and wine.

Location:Joshua Tree

The LuckyAlsup wedding

Up bright and early Saturday, Shuffy, Linda and I went for a long walk. In hind sight we should have saved our energy for all the wedding tasks that still needed to be done but we saw some beautiful wildflowers and cacti, so it was worth it.

Linda, Drew and I put up a bunch of signs to help point people to the correct sandy roads. Then we finished some last minute errands in town. Back at the house, we had to set up the tables with the table linens and colorful napkins and get the ceremony area ready.








While we were doing that, Bill and Carl put the dance floor together and strung the lights. It was quite windy and they had to really secure the lights so that they would stay vertical. We only broke 13 bulbs which meant another trip to town which isn't a quick trip. Drew decided we would pick some wildflowers to attach to the chairs on the aisle. That added a nice touch. Kristen worked on making the succulent centerpieces, bouteniers and the bridal bouquet. They were amazing, so different, but perfect for the location.








So now for the ceremony. What can I say. It was much more special and moving than the royal wedding. Drew gave Shan away. Kya walked Milo down the aisle and Winter was in charge of the rings. Shan and Carl wrote their own vows which made it all that more special. Kristen, Jess and Angela (Carl's sister) each had a reading. She was a beautiful bride especially in the gorgeous gown her friend Jimini made for her.





After the ceremony, we had hordorves, took Poloroid pictures for





the guestbook
and had a wonderful Mexican meal. Of course, no wedding would be done without some toasts from Drew, Jess (Shan's best friend from high school), and Terry, Carl's friend from Med School and rock climber.





Then we danced the night away to some great Classic Rock from a great group of DJs.
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Location:Pioneer Town, CA

Nobody knows the trouble I've seen

The saga of Bill, Drew, Winter and Kya traveling west was stressful not only for them but for us who were waiting from them. We got word from Bill that US Air plane was going to be 1 hr late into State College which means they wouldn't make their connecting flight in Philly. Finally they found a flight that would get them into LA at midnight which meant that they wouldn't arrive at Joshua Tree until at least 2:30 a.m. Linda and I were worried that Bill's GPS wouldn't be able to find the remote location of the wedding house. SO we decided that she and I would drive down into Pioneer Town to meet them and escort them to the house. Oh yeah, did I mention that all the roads are sand and it's really hard to see which ones to turn onto. Carl had drawn us a map which came in very handy. More on that in a moment.

My alarm went off at 2 am. Got Lin up and away we went in Shan's jetta across the sandy roads. We thought we had it made because we made it to the highway within a half mile where we were going to meet them. What did we see -- A police cruiser across the highway with their lights flashing and in the distance we saw more lights flashing. I looked at Lin and said, "What now?". We looked at Carl's map and saw that the one road actually looped so we turned around. So by this time we had cell service ( did i forget to mention there's no cell service where we are staying?), so we called Bill to tell him where we needed to go to meet up. Lin and I went back the way we came and then took the other way into town and finally met up with the crew who were pretty travel worn but still laughing. We made it back to our house without any further problems. Sleep, sweet sleep.

Our walk this morning was a little later (Lin had to wait for us to wake up) and a little warmer but we found a beautiful spot among the boulders to sit, relax and reflect. So quiet with only the birds talking.



Now we're waiting to take orders from Shan for today's tasks.


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Location:Joshua Tree

Getting ready for the "Royal" wedding

Today started around 6 am for Linda and me. We went for a long walk through Pipes Canyon. Some wild flowers are still blooming although peak season was last week.


The sun was just beginning to come up over the mountain so it was fleece weather.

After our walk and some breakfast, with Kristen making her special orange juice smoothies, we had to start our task list for today.


First on our list was to make napkins from some beautiful reds, oranges, and purple fabrics. We decided to pink the edges and then wrap the plasticware in the fabric and then tie them off with raffia. We're allowed to have a glass of wine if we show we're making progress.








While we were working on our task list, Kristen started making the succulent centerpieces






And not to leave out anyone, Carl was put to the task of getting the wedding memory book put together.



The weather here is awesome. In the 80s with a little breeze blowing. We're taking a break and wondering when Bill, Drew and the grandkids will arrive. Probably won't be before 2am because Bill and the girls's flight got delayed. I knew we couldn't get this all done without some hitch I. Our giddyup.

Well, I'm going to go get some rest so that I can be ready to meet Bill and crew LATE tonight. Talk to you tomorrow.
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Location:Joshua Tree

The quiet of Joshua Tree

Well, take a look at where we are staying and where the wedding and reception will take place. It is so deserty and quiet here.






Here's a young Joshua Tree. I'm pretty sure that these trees are very slow growing.






Kristen and Nan went for a walk around the place and saw a rabbit. She was looking for a coyote but none to be found yet.

Now we're sitting on the front porch just enjoying the solitude and a bottle of merlot the landlady gave us. Next is the hot tub to relax a little before our big day of work tomorrow. Talk to you tomorrow.


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Location:Pioneer Town, CA

Landed in LA

After a non eventful flight, we landed and Shan and Milo picked us up got back to their house and immediately picked oranges off their tree and wolfed down several. We had all been thinking about that for a long time. It's about 1:00 am so I guess we better try to get some sleep.


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Location:Los Angeles, CA

Traveling to the airport

Driving to Hershey to pick up Linda Z was a pretty trip with the redbud trees in bloom and no rain which is a rarity these days. Then on to a Baltimore for our flight. Arrived with lots of time to spare. Dropped Kris and Nan and the bags at the departure area and then Lin and I took the car to long-term parking. While we were doing that, Southwest airline had an evacuation





because of a suspicious bag but AirTran wasn't affected. So we checked in and went through security. It wasn't as bad as I've heard but because we had so much stuff, I'm sure we made an impact. Then what to my wondering eyes should appear but Rosalie and Jess Bailey they were on the same flight as us and in the seats right behind us. What fun catching up.


Now for our 6 hr flight.


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2011 travels to California -- our very own 'royal' wedding

This year our big trip is to our daughter's wedding in California. Kristen, my mom, Linda Zubler and I leave tomorrow to help Shan with last minute details. Then Bill and the grandkids (hereafter referred to as gKs), and the Drew. We'll have everyone together. Carl's (aka groom) family will be arriving on Friday too.

The festivities will take place at Joshua Tree National Park. The rehearsal will be Friday night and then the wedding ceremony will be Saturday Here is the wedding place we've rented:
http://www.vrbo.com/178633


Stay tuned for more.