Yosemite: Half Dome

For months my friends and I have been planning a trip to Yosemite National Park. Not only a visit, but to hike one of the most famous and risky hikes the park has to offer, Half Dome. We have been preparing for months with heavy training. You would likely find us on a Saturday, waking up early and putting in 12-18 miles, encountering snakes and even a bear! We felt prepared for any obstacle... well almost.


You can't prepare for things out of your control like Amy breaking her foot in April causing her to have to bow out of the hike or Rob coming down with the nasty flu a day before, putting him out of commission too. Nevertheless, our group soldiered on, determined to catch a glimpse of Half Dome, if not by hiking, by driving. Our group members included: Tim, Matt, Amy, Rob, Shalom, Stephanie, Janell and myself.


So on Friday, June 22nd we piled in to two cars and made the drive up to Yosemite. We stopped at a BBQ joint close to the park and then settled in to our awesome cabin in the woods. Stephanie, Janell and Shalom prepared an amazing meal all with food provided by my church Hope. Shalom's guacamole was amazing, I am still thinking about it. We all went to bed around 9pm anxious about the next days hike.


Shalom, Stephanie, Janell, Tim and I woke up at 4am to start on our long day hike to Half Dome. We were on the trail by 5:30 starting at Glacier Point and were greeted by two grazing deer and dew covered ground. We saw the sunrise over half dome and would not see another person for 4 hours.


Our hike encompassed many different terrains. We traveled through tree shaded lowlands, grassy fields, over waterfalls and eventually ascended over the tree line onto granite rocks which ultimately led us to our destination, the base of Half Dome.


The base of Half Dome is where you momentarily stop hiking and another challenge begins, climbing the cables to the top. It is so intimidating to look at. It's straight up the side of a smooth granite rock, the only thing keeping you from not falling off the side is two cables. And you just see a line of people going up the right side and another line of people coming down the left side. At the base of the dome is a pile of gloves left by people who have completed the accession and donated for the use of other hikers.


Janell and I were feeling quite nervous about this dangerous trek but the rest of our group provided good encouragement and support. We soldiered on. But sometimes, once again, things don't go a perfectly as planned, my mind got the best of me that day and would only allow me to get 1/3 of the way up the cables. My fears of heights and anxiousness set in and I couldn't get passed it, and went back down to the base while the rest of my team bravely kept going.


Upon their return they spoke of the difficultly of the climb up the cables, how to never look down and gripping the cables with all their might. But they also spoke of the amazing views and how you felt as if you were on top of the world! And although I was disappointed in myself, I was proud of them and also proud of how far I had come 14 miles and we still had more to go.


We made out trek back down the mountain taking a different route so we could see Vernal and Nevada Falls. Both of the falls were absolutely breathtaking. I was amazed and the power of the water falling and the amount of it. Truly beautiful and fills you with awe of God's creation.


After it was all said and done we arrived at in Yosemite Valley around 7pm. We had hiked 22 miles in 14 hours, truly something to be proud of! After finding my car Matt and Amy graciously left in the valley for us we took a smelly ride back to the cabin excited for long showers and a spaghetti dinner that was awaiting us.


We exchanged stories and pictures with Matt and Amy who drove to see Yosemite's sights that day, filled ourselves to the brim with spaghetti and crashed.


The next day, we got up went back to the overlook so Rob could see Half Dome and headed home but not all of us were satisfied. For Matt, Amy, Rob and I we have called for a Half Dome Redemption Hike 2013, where we are determined to stay healthy and make it up the cables. My boyfriend Chris (yes, that's right, I said boyfriend) wants to join us too since Half Dome is on his bucket list.


But for this trip I am so proud of our group. From securing a cabin, winning permits, enduring long training hikes, to making adjustments due to obstacles this trip was an absolute success and one that will be marked in my memory forever.

Panoramic View of Half Dome

Sunrise on Half Dome

Hiking!

Climbing rock stairs before reaching base of half dome

Half Dome Cables

Steph and I beside Vernal Falls

Vernal Falls

Nevada Falls

Instagram Half Dome

Morning Dew

I wanted to share this photo I took outside of my apartment this morning with my iPhone. With just a little blurring of the background using instagram this was the result. What a great start to a Friday morning!

Billy Wilder Theater: UCLA Film & Television Archive

Every year my entire department of 200 people take a day in May to set aside work and spend time doing something fun. Since I work in the Admin office my boss, Phebe and I are in charge of coming up with these activities. Pleasing 200 people not only diverse in interests but age and activity level is no small task. You always have your complainers, "to much walking, better food, it's too hot outside, it's too cold, blah, blah, blah." But we soldier on and this year I think we knocked it out of the park!

Catty-corner to our office building sits the Hammer Museum. Within the museum is the Billy Wilder Theater. This was the setting of our event "A Day at the Movies." UCLA's famed Theater, Film and Television Department has a film archive which happens to be the second largest in the US (behind the Library of Congress) and one of the top 10 archives in the world. Our event, comprised of Jan-Christopher Horak speaking about the process of restoring old television and film and showing clips from works they have restored. He would give a brief history of the work and then show the short clips.

We started with some news clips. The first was a recording of Marian Anderson, a black singer, from 1939. Apparently, Mrs. Roosevelt had invited Marian to sing at one of her events but the daughters of the revolution would not allow Ms. Anderson to come through the front of the venue but enter through the servants quarter. Marian refused and Mrs. Roosevelt was so upset she decided to have the concert on the Washington Mall. 30,000 people of mixed races showed up for the event and the clip we watched was the only recording of this historic moment.

This was followed with rare news footage of the Harvey Milk murder. Most of us are familiar with this event, if not, read here. Watching this new footage was intense and makes you realize how the news today is so edited and contrived.

Then we were shown on of their oldest archives, from 1929 of Sol Volinsky, "The Eccentric Entertainer" he played the piano and the violin at the same time!

One of the first color films was called "I want to be Bad", from 1930. This was a two color technicolor with a red and green register. This was a combo to create caucasian skin tones.

One of my favorite clips was a documentary about "Hollywood: City of Celluloid" which showed footage Los Angeles in 1932. No wonder everyone wanted to live here, perfect weather, orange groves, large plots of land and no traffic! I tried to picture myself in LA in the 30's and determined I would have loved it even more than I do now!

This was followed by two classics, a 1939 Betty Boop cartoon of Snow White which featured music from Cab Calloway and a 1933 Laurel & Hardy comedic act called Busy Bodies.

The next 3 clips were also my favorite because they were from old television shows. "The Gene Kelly Show" where he did a duet with then 13 year old Liza Minnelli, "The Tennessee Ernie Ford Show" featuring The Everly Brothers and "The Johnny Cash Show" where the man in black sang a duet with Bob Dylan. We learned that most television shows prior to 1958 have been lost because show were live and not recorded. The only way they could be recorded was by setting up a 16 mm camera and recording it off the tv screen.

We ended with the pre-MTV music videos. Apparently in the 1940's for a short time you could watch a "soundie" on a jukebox. These were short recordings in Digibeta. We watched Cab Calloway "Blues in the Night" and Joi Lansing "Web of Love."

The crowd (my coworkers) loved the show! As did I. In fact, watching these old clips put a desire in me to turn back in time and imagine what life was like back in the day. I can't wait to go back to the Billy Wilder Theater to see the full length films they have restored.

Our May Event was such a success! I was so pleased that I decided to not ride the bus that day, put on some Cab Calloway and walked 4 miles home basking in the CA sunshine wondering what it would be like to walk those same streets in the 30's.

Billy Wilder Theater

Napa, San Francisco & Los Gatos

I had been itching to go up north for a while.  Everyone kept saying "Oh, you would love it there!" Just so happened, Matt and Amy had a wedding to attend in Los Gatos (hour south of San Fran) so I finally had an excuse to go/ tag along. We roped Rob into going too.  Roadtrip!!


On Friday, we set out on our journey on Interstate 5, which would usually be a drab scenery of brown grassy knolls but since we have been blessed with rain this year, it was actually quite green, lush and beautiful.  Late in the night we made a stop in Pleasanton just to rest.


The next morning (Friday) we got up bright and early and made our way to Napa!! Amy and I have become quite the wine connoisseurs the last couple of years, so we were excited to try out something outside of our Trader Joe's cellar.


Napa is overwhelming...overwhelmingly awesome.  All you have to do is drive down the road and you have a ridiculous amount of fine wineries to choose from less than a mile from each other.  It reminds me of walking down Rodeo drive and seeing one high end store after the other but with wineries! (And the fact most of it, I can't afford).


We started off at Castello Di Amorosa, we did not do a tasting but wanted to check out the mid-evil castle that sits on the winery.  Pretty cool.  Then we sat down and ate some lunch at Farmstead Restaurant.  It was so yummy and fresh.  I had one of the best burgers ever garnished with chopped pickled cauliflower and homemade ketchup.


After lunch we visited 3 different wineries to do tastings: Caymus, Frog's Leap, and Inglenook.  We loved the feeling of Frog's Leap because of the covered back porch looking out into their aged vines. I must admit I had my doubts of the winery because of the name, frogs doesn't make me think "fine wine".  I stand corrected though, it was wonderful.  But our favorite wine came at the end of the day at Inglenook, a Francis Ford Coppola winery. We shared a bottle of Edizione Pennino, a Zinfandel, the perfect end to a beautiful day.

On Saturday, we hopped in the car and headed down south towards San Francisco, a city I have always wanted to visit.  Since our final destination was south of San Fran we breezed through town first stopping at Pluto's for lunch and then walked down to a park to take in views and snap pictures of the Golden Gate Bridge. I hopefully plan on spending more time in San Francisco in the fall because I won a 2-night hotel stay at a Marriott from work a few months ago!! I can't wait to go back again.


We then cruised further south to Los Gatos, the town where the wedding was held.  We settled in to the Toll House Hotel complete with fresh cookies and then Rob and I dropped Matt and Amy off at the wedding site and went downtown.  Downtown Los Gatos is one of the cutest towns I have ever seen.  It embodies a small down feel yet it is centered in the middle of the Silicon Valley.  Rob and I walked around the shops and then treated ourselves to a massage.  We ate dinner at The Pastaria & Market where they make their own pasta.  It was delicious and had a warm Italian family feel.  I could pack up my bags and live in this town...only if I had a million dollars.


What a fabulous trip! I can't wait to go back and explore more of this area of California.  I am so blessed to live in a state that has such diversity not only in people but landscape.  Cheers!

Rolling Hills along the 5

Caymus Winery

Frog's Leap Tasting

Matt & Amy by the Frog's Leap Vines

Besties!

Best Wine of the day!

Golden Gate Bridge!

The Pastaria & Market

Around Town

Just some random Instagram, Hipstamatic and Photosynth photos for your enjoyment.

Palm Springs

Last weekend my mom come in to town for a visit and we decided to check out Palm Springs. Palm Springs is a desert city within the Coachella Valley. It is located approximately 111 miles east of Los Angeles (about 2 hours away). The city came a fashionable resort for movie stars in the 1900's because if its micro climate and dry heat.

Within the history of Palm Springs and Hollywood stars lies the Ingleside Inn, where mom and I stayed for the weekend. This Spanish-style estate was built at the foot of the San Jacinto Mountains in 1925 as a personal residence. After changing hands over the years, New York businessman, Melvyn Haber purchased the property in 1975. Visitors to the Inn have included Arnold Schwarzenegger, Elizabeth Taylor and Goldie Hawn. The Inn is absolutely charming, in walking distance to downtown Palm Springs, and has that old Hollywood feel. The pool was my favorite part. A plush lawn with padded pool chairs and a waiter taking drink orders. I felt a bit glamorous.

Other than relaxing by the pool, mom and I also took a trip on the Palm Spring Aerial Tramway. This rotating tramcar elevates you 5,873 feet over the steep cliffs of the Chino Canyon. It was amazing that within 10 minutes we went from 83 degree weather at the beginning of the ride to 40 degrees and snow covered caps at the top of the mountain. At the top you will find amazing views of the Coachella Valley. We had made reservations to eat at Peaks Restaurant at sunset. Our meals were wonderful and it was a very nice evening on top of the mountain.

The next day we decided to bike around Palm Springs. After having coffee at Espresso Cielo (thanks for the recommendation Kathleen) we rented bikes from BIKE Palm Springs and rode probably 10+ miles looking mostly looking at houses and golf courses that are scattered about the city. I love exploring!

We worked up an appetite from biking and decided to check out LG's Steakhouse ("locally owned and nationally known"). We sat out on the large covered patio and enjoyed their famous caesar salad, created at our table (special ingredients: anchovies & worcestershire sauce) and had yummy filet mignons. The steak was very tender and flavorful.

Palm Springs is an amazing place. Mom and I had a wonderful time and talked about doing the trip annually. I can see why the old Hollywood stars flocked to this place. Its relaxed and glamorous, perfect for getting a summer glow and slowing down from this busy life.

Entering Palm Springs

A Perfect Latte

On Top of the Mountain

Biking Around Palm Springs

Our Bikes, pit stop at the Inn

Lounging at the Pool

Ingleside Inn Courtyard

In Town, Palm Springs

Earl Scruggs & Clogging

Today I learned the sad news that bluegrass legend Earl Scruggs passed away. Even though I live in a big city world, he is a large part of this small town girl. So I would like to recognize him on this day and also tell you about myself.

Growing up I did not really participate in school team sports or clubs because my life revolved around 2 things: my church and dancing. When I tell people I was a dancer they automatically assume, ballet, jazz or tap. No way people! I was (am) something much cooler, I was (am) a clogger.

To answer you first question, no, I did not dance in wooden shoes.

Clogging (thank you wikipedia) is a type of North American folk dance that developed in Southern Appalachia (my hood) with roots in cultural milieu of traditional European dance steps combined with traditional Cherokee dance, in which the dancer's footwear is used musically by striking the heel, the toe, or both against the floor or each other to create audible percussive rhythms, usually to the downbeat with the heel keeping rhythm. Clogging was the social dance in the Appalachian Mountains as early as the 18th century.

So to answer your still lingering question... I danced in leather flats with taps on the heel and toe.

I clogged for 9 years of my life, 4th grade through my freshman year of college. During that time I participated in many competitions, folk festivals, recitals and parades. Our clogging group was always a sure hit due to the high energy performance and use of traditional bluegrass music. Hands down, our most popular dance was to Earl Scruggs, Foggy Mountain Breakdown. We would always end our show with this dance because it was a sure crowd pleaser, even though this dance only repeated a combination of four steps. While performing my heart was always filled with joy. I would scan the audience and without fail, everyone would be clapping with huge smiles on their faces. Some would even "whoop and holler". There is just something about this song that makes you joyful!

This is the best representation of clogging I could find that is most like old group (and yes I owned about 4 dresses like this). Foggy Mountain Cloggers

So to you Earl Scruggs, Foggy Mountain Breakdown is forever etched in my heart. Thanks for the toe tapping good time. Foggy Mountain Breakdown

Hawaii: Day Five

Day Five was short but sweet. We woke up to a rainy and overcast day which was pretty much my mood because of having to leave Hawaii later that afternoon.

We decided to eat breakfast at the hotel restaurant called Hau Tree Lanai Restaurant. The restaurant is famous for the very large Hau Tree you dine under. Apparently, author Robert Louis Stevenson, who wrote Treasure Island and other great works would lounge and write under this tree (In my heart I am going to believe that is true, in reality hmm...). No matter where this tree stands in history, the restaurant that was built around it was a unique experience for Rob and I.

Along with the magnificent tree, unfortunately came some pesky pigeons. Rob had excused himself to the mens room and while there the server brought our meal. As I waited for his return, a pigeon, who spotted a opportunity, flew on top of the table and smack dab into Rob's oatmeal. I was paralyzed with disbelief as I watched the pigeon step right on through his oatmeal and on to the white tablecloth, wiping his feet as if it were a floor mat. The pigeon then went on his merry way while he girls behind my table gasped and I doubled over in laughter. I had the server take the oatmeal away before Rob returned. Upon returning, he asked why I had a funny look on my face. I told him the story and he cracked up wishing he had been there to see it.

After the pigeon debacle we were eating our meals and I saw a familiar face walk through the restaurant and sit down at the table directly next to us. See, I go and visit my best friend from high school Sarah who lives in Phoenix from time to time. While there we tend to hang out a lot with her husband Jason's awesome family. I recognized this person as Jason's mom, Jacque. Wanting to make sure I called Sarah and asked her if Jacque was in Hawaii and she said yes. After confining it was her I went up to her table and she couldn't believe it was me! She had been to the Big Island to help with the annual whale count and stopped in Honolulu to have breakfast with a friend before going back to AZ. How crazy! What were the chances that out of all the restaurants in Honolulu, we happened to be at the same one? Sitting right next to each other! It really is a small world.

After snapping a couple of photos with Jacque (sadly not on my camera, only hers) we went back upstairs, packed up our things and said goodbye to our Golden Girls motif room. We killed some time window shopping in Honolulu at the high end stores, turned in our sporty red jeep and headed home.

What a amazing, relaxing and unforgettable vacation with my wonderful best friend. I am very blessed, very blessed indeed.

The Culprit

Under the Hau Tree

Hawaii: Day Four

On to day Four!

Rob and I woke up early to catch a van to take us snorkeling at Hanauma Bay. Hanauma is both a Nature Preserve and a Marine Life Center. About 400 species of fish are known to inhabit the bay. You can also find sea turtles and other sea life. After a instructional and educational video about the Bay we strapped on our snorkel gear and waddled down to the shore.

What an amazing adventure. The fish swam only inches away from us, probably because they are used to many people being in the water with them. I saw many different kind on fish including a clown, angel and flute fish. My favorite was the parrot fish, I loved their bright colors. At one point Rob and I found ourselves surrounded by hundreds of silver dollar fish, it was amazing!

After a few hours of "swimming with the fishes" we decided to head back to the hotel. We narrowly missed our shuttle time so we ended up taking public transportation back to Honolulu conveniently called "The Bus." On our way back we made plans for the evening, going to the North Shore to a Luau!

So that afternoon we jumped back in our sporty red jeep and headed up to the Polynesian Cultural Center. This Polynesian-themed living museum is located in Laie, and is owned by Brigham Young University-Hawaii. There you can visit 8 tropical villages where performers demonstrate various arts and crafts from throughout Polynesia. Rob and I specifically went there for a Luau, where we ate things like Kalua Pua'a, Hawaiian Poi and Taro Rolls. We also learned some Hula dances.

Afterwards we went to an amazing show called Ha: Breath of Life. This was a story about a young boy's journey to manhood and features Polynesian dancing, music and fire twirling. I must say I was very impressed with the performance and felt I learned a lot about the different areas of Polynesia during the show. I would recommend this show to anyone old or young!

Day Four turned out to be a great day. But when we returned to the hotel I realized the next day we would be leaving! Time flies when your having fun!

Hanauma Bay where we snorkeled

On our drive to the North Shore

Some traditional Hawaiian Food

Rob and I before the show

The only picture they would allow me to take at the show :(

Hawaii: Day Three

Rob and I hit our stride on Day Three because it stands out as the best day of our vacation! Despite not planning too much ahead of time, the day just seemed to roll out perfectly with many highs.

We started out at Bogarts Cafe for breakfast, thanks to yelp. The small restaurant seemed like a local favorite for college students and young professionals. Rob had blueberry pancakes and I had an omlette. All the ingredients were local and very fresh and my vanilla latte was so yummy, a welcome change to the starbucks I had been drinking all week.

The only low to the day was when we drove up the coast to Sandy Beach Park. We were looking to catch some rays but the only thing we caught was a bunch of rain pouring in our convertible jeep. After dealing with a bunch of rain storms the previous two days, we were feeling defeated and sat there like sad puppies allowing the rain to soak us before putting the top on the jeep. Eventually we had a good laugh about our bad luck and decided to drive north because we realized the rain clouds were moving south.

After driving north a few more miles the sun started to shine again and we realized the rain was a blessing after laying our eyes on Makapuu Beach. This place was beautiful, lined with jagged cliffs and lush green vegetation, this "hidden gem" was the perfect place to relax and watch the body boarders take on the crashing waves. Makapuu Beach was our favorite beach because it was not crowded and it was very picturesque.

But after a couple of hours of beach sitting, we needed to fuel up for the only planned activity of the day... Surfing Lessons! So we grabbed a quick bite at Teddy's Bigger Burgers (which quickly became a favorite of Robs) and headed off to Hawaiian Surf Adventure.

A few months ago, I started stalking Groupon to see what type of deals I could score for the trip. One day, surfing lessons for two, came up and I quickly took part in the deal, so this was an activity Rob and I have been anticipating for a while. Hawaiian Surf Adventure is a family owned and run business which started out of the couples love for surfing. The business has a relaxed and friendly atmosphere, everyone was welcoming and excited to go out on the boat to catch some waves.

After a lesson on land, the 4 of us "surfers in training", took a boat out past the reef where the long gentle waves were breaking. We all took turns as the instructor would push us into the wave at the perfect time. See, the hardest part of surfing is actually "catching" the wave, its all about timing. So with the instructors help it was easy to catch a wave, in fact all of us did very well. Rob and I rode out all of our waves, around 6 each. The feeling was incredible, what a rush!! Hawaiian Surf Adventure even took pictures of us in action. Thinking back on it, 2 weeks later, still makes me smile. It was an incredible experience, unmatched by any other on our trip.

After surfing, Rob and I were up for a little bit more adventure and decided to hike up to Makapuu Point Lookout. This hike had a gradual incline which eventually led to overlook the beach we visited earlier that morning. Another lighthouse was also situated on the cliff. It was nice to overlook the Hawaiian coast and reflect on our perfect day.

To round out the day we ate at the Hula Grill Waikiki. which proved to be out best meal of our vacation. Infused with Hawaiian flavors, Rob and I both had the special with Mahi Mahi and Swordfish along with mashed sweet potatoes. Out table was overlooking Waikiki Beach and the meal was superb. The perfect ending for a perfect day.

Makapuu Beach

Me Surfing!!!

Hike up to Makapuu Point Lookout

Hike up to Makapuu Point Lookout

Makapuu Point Lighthouse

Overlooking Makapuu Beach

Hawaii: Day Two

Day two in Hawaii gave us the opportunity to see the beauty of Oahu. We did not have any set plans so it was time to explore and my what wonderful things we found!

First we went and sat on the beach in front of our hotel and did a little reading. But Rob and I are not big on beach sitting for too long so we stayed for about an hour and was ready to do something active. So we decided on checking out the old volcano that sat behind our hotel called Diamond Head.

The Diamond Head Hike is Oahu's most popular hike and one of the world's most recognized volcanic crater. Its not a long hike but it has beautiful views of Oahu and eventually leads to an old World War II bunker. From the top you can see Waikiki and up the eastern coastline of Oahu, I also spotted some mega houses and a lighthouse. After returning to the parking lot I enjoyed some Hawaiian Shaved Ice which was so yummy.

After the hike, we decided to jump in our red jeep we rented, blast some music and head up the eastern coast of Oahu to explore. We stopped by the Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve to see the spot where we would be snorkeling a few days later, made quick stops on the side of the road to overlook the jagged coastline and eventually ended up at the Kailua Beach Park.

Kailua Beach Park is about 30 minutes away from Honolulu but you feel like you are worlds away in this small beach town. Once thing I noticed is everyone is very active, you will always pass runners, walkers and bikers as you weave through small streets to reach the coastline. Once we arrived at the beach park we were in awe of the turquoise water and long sandy white beach. Rob and I walked a good 2 miles out and back. You could tell this park was a local favorite, many people were walking their dogs or chatting with people who passed by. There were also many wind surfers, it was amazing watching them glide across the water and do flips in the air. Rob and I would point out the houses we liked and imagined what it would be like to live in such a beautiful place.

After our long walk we went to a local haunt called the Pinkys Pupu Bar & Grill. The food was not all that glamorous nor anything to go into detail about but it satisfied our appetite. Afterwards we swung by the Cheesecake Factory and picked up some yummy goodness to eat back at the hotel. Then I passed out for the night! I think the time change had finally caught up to me and the adrenaline from first arriving had worn off because I had one of the best nights sleep in my life or maybe I just settled into island time. :)

Beach in front of our Hotel

Diamond Head Volcanic Crater

Rob hiking up the stairs to the WWII bunker

One view from the top of Diamond Head

Shaved Ice treat after hiking

View from the side of the road

Kailua Beach Park

Windsurfers at Beach Park

Awesome Tree!