Yosemite: Oct 27 - 29, 2011

     Most of our trips are pretty quick, usually only one night away, sometimes even working the morning before we leave. This trip we wanted to be able to take it easy and not have to worry about wearing ourselves out, so we stayed two nights. It was a fantastic idea. That first night we stayed in Curry Village again and played Trouble. The next morning we made our most ambitious hike yet; we took the Mist Trail to Vernal Falls. Again we showed our inexperience, getting passed up by the old and young alike, but we eventually made it to the top! It was really exciting being able to finish that. There were moments toward the end that we both wanted to stop or turn around, but we pushed on and it was definitely worth it.
     That afternoon we relaxed, strolled around the valley, and fell asleep very, very early. It was great not having to make the drive back down the mountain after a hike like that.

Yosemite: Sep 12 - 13, 2011

     This trip marked the first time we actually camped in Yosemite. Normally we stay in Curry Village's tent cabins, but this time we were staying with family, and besides, we wanted to camp out in a real tent anyway. Much more fun!
     We made s'mores, cooked hot dogs, and kept a keen eye out for bears! Then in the morning we hopped on our bikes and toured the valley (Erinn and I rented ours from a place in Yosemite). Toward the end of the day a storm rolled in and threw some lightning around, but it wasn't dangerous, just fun to watch!

Yosemite: Feb 11 - 12, 2011

     Back again in Yosemite, and of course back in the tent cabins at Curry Village. One of the great parts of staying in Curry Village is that you get cheap tent-style lodging, but you don't have to set up the tent or sleep on the ground. But one of the drawbacks is that you're not allowed to make a fire or cook your own food. We were both satisfied with bananas and sandwiches, though.
     On this trip, we ventured out a little more. First, since it was winter, Yosemite had an ice rink set up, so we strapped on some skates and fumbled around on the ice for a while. It was pretty fun, but neither of us were that stable on the choppy ice. We then took an easy hike to Mirror Lake. NPS.com lists the hike as easy, but icy in the winter and this is definitely true. I remember slipping around on the ice in my sneakers. We were definitely not prepared for serious hiking. But it was beautiful. Everything was covered in snow and felt cool and fresh.

Yosemite: Nov 5 - 6, 2010

     One of our first trips together was to Yosemite National Park. We both love the outdoors, yet we're not the most experienced campers or hikers. We're less enthusiasts and more enjoyers of the outdoors and Yosemite is perfect for folk like us. We rented a tent cabin at Curry Village and had a great time wandering around the valley floor. On our way home, we stopped at Glacier Point to get a panoramic view of the valley. It's a must-see for anyone who is going to Yosemite for the first time. It's as breathtaking as the Grand Canyon.
     Note: we totally saw a bear strolling across a path in one of the busier areas of Yosemite. It was awesome!