Yosemite Birthday Traipse

 Josh and I both had Monday and Tuesday off this week, which worked out great because Tuesday was Josh's birthday. We started the celebrating on Monday with a trip to Yosemite.

 As we got higher in the park, there was snow on the ground.

 We drove through the park, stopping just before the Tioga Pass entrance. There is a trailhead there for Gaylor Lakes, which we took. The trail starts at 9,950 ft and quickly climbs up the mountain for about a half a mile. Gaylor Lake is in a bowl shaped valley and the view when you reach the crest is pretty impressive.

This is not Gaylor Lake, this lake was on the other side of the road. I don't know it's name, but it's pretty too.

We decided to climb to the top of Gaylor Peak, which is 12,764ft. It started to snow while we were heading up and the wind blew the snow in our faces, which stung.

 We made it to the top and immediately turned around to come down because it was exposed up there and windy.

Here's a picture of Gaylor Lake, mostly hidden by the snow and trees.

We headed back down to the valley floor where it was rainy, but not snowing. We took a hike around the western side of the valley floor, barefoot of course so we didn't have to put our wet shoes back on.

We made it back to the car just as it was getting dark and really starting to rain. It was an excellent day.



I Can't Resist

Yes, I am obsessed. This is my latest batch of jam, Earl Grey Nectarine Peach.

Frosty Morning

 Our first snow was quickly followed the next morning by our first frost.

Snow in the Mountains

The lighting was much improved for taking pictures the next morning. This was the view from my window when I woke up.

 It was so cold while we were working, many layers were required to stay warm. Coming home to nice warm pasta for lunch helped too.

It was cold, rainy, sometimes snowy, and overcast throughout the day, but the rain melted the snow pretty quickly, so by the afternoon the were only a few patches left.

 As the sun was setting, the fog came in around the snowy mountains and it was beautiful.

Party Time

 Michelle's birthday was this week, so we gathered at Dad and Mom's house to celebrate. Heather and I picked elderberries and everyone helped pull the berries off the stems.

We ended up with a lot of berries, just what we wanted for making elderberry syrup. We had a special and delicious birthday dinner for Michelle, followed by frozen chocolate peanut squares in front of the first fire of the year.

Then it was time for presents, charades, and old home videos. We had a lot of good laughs and enjoyed time together as a family. I drove back to camp that night and when I got there, it was snowing!

Please excuse the awfulness of these pictures, I had to use a flash, but of course I couldn't miss taking pictures of the first snow of the season. 

An Overcast Morning

 Some days are just perfect for making hot chocolate from a chunk of chocolate with chili powder, cinnamon, and freshly grated nutmeg.

Love What You Do

As requested, here are some pictures from my life on accommo. We match a lot.

Cleaning the dining room floor between groups (when all the tables are moved out) is one of our favorite things to do.

We turnover camp, cleaning up after one group leaves to prepare for the next that is coming, twice a week on Fridays and Sundays. Here I'm cleaning a bathroom in one of the Mountain View cabins.

Another favorite thing is making beds in Cedar Lodge.

Jamming

We have started putting our blackberries to good use; Rachel and I made blackberry jam.

 Of course, Josh and I couldn't resist picking more berries while they're still out there to be picked.

I also made blackberry peach jam.