Quick Visits to Mono Lake and Yosemite

The kids and I headed to the National Speleological Society (NSS) Western Regional in Sonora, CA at the beginning of October over a long weekend. We left after school on Thursday and made it to Tonopah, where we stayed the night (but not in the Clown Motel). Then we got up early and continued west on Highway 6, watching dawn break on Boundary Peak, the highest peak in Nevada. The tallest part of the mountain is actually in California.

We kept driving until we got to the South Tufa area at Mono Lake. Tufa is formed from spring water bubbling up and depositing minerals in interesting shapes.

There's a trail with interpretive signs. Desert Boy really wanted to know if Mono Lake was so salty that a rock would float. He tried it out. The rock sank. Now we know.

I had fun taking photos, and we all enjoyed stretching our legs on the one-mile long trail, as we had already driven over two hours that morning.

More pretty views. Sometime I'd like to have a relaxed trip to the area, with time to explore more.

We couldn't stay long because we were meeting friends in Yosemite. The approach from the east side is spectacular.

It's amazing there's a road!

We stopped at Tuolomne Meadows and Desert Girl immediately ran to a rock so she could become the queen.

Desert Boy didn't want to be left out of the fun.

Desert Girl offered to take a photo of me.

There sure is a lot of airplane traffic! This is another spot I'd like to spend more time.

We stopped at this overlook and I noticed the granite on the side opposite the pullout. So we went for a quick hike.

Desert Girl led the way.

We had some nice views of Half Dome.

And at the top we had a nice view of the lake we had just passed.

There was another lake that was kind of hidden.

If it's a challenge, the kids generally like it.

A quick shot of the kids and Half Dome.

We kept driving and driving--it's a long way across Yosemite, and the roads were crowded. We thought visiting on a weekday in off-season it wouldn't be so busy, but we were wrong. Our friends said the campground was full. We met them and went down into Yosemite Valley, parked far away because it was so busy, then waited a long time for the shuttle bus.

Yosemite is getting a lot of beetle kill in its trees. I've learned that often the beetle kill is just another way to clean out the forests, something fire historically did but now we are often too afraid to use wildfire as a tool for promoting forest health. Anyway, the bark patterns were pretty.

We went to the visitor center to get junior ranger booklets, but you have to buy them. How lame, Yosemite, you have more fee dollars than most parks. Way to encourage the next generation of park stewards. Not. (Sorry, I couldn't help a little rant.)

We went for a little hike to Lower Yosemite Falls. Here's Ron playing hide'n seek!

He was found, and Desert Boy was glad to go walking with him.

The dry Yosemite Falls.

So we found entertainment climbing a big boulder.

The kids found that if they took their shoes off, it was easier.

Desert Boy kept trying until he made it to the top.

We took the shuttle bus back (after I had relocated my camera that I had set down to make a purchase).

Then it was on to the activities the kids really wanted to do in Yosemite. And what might those be? Swimming and building sand castles. Go figure. So we waded across the Merced River and found a sandy beach and the kids wallowed in the water and made sand castles. The adults watched climbers on El Capitan.

Desert Boy wanted to get in more swimming.

He found a big log to jump off of.

Splash!

It was worth it!

He did it a couple more times.

Meanwhile, Desert Girl was watching this tame duck.

A view of El Capitan. That's a big piece of rock! Due to time constraints we left soon after and headed off to the caving event. At least now the kids have a tiny idea of what Yosemite is like. I'm hoping some day we'll go explore the backcountry some more.

Fun in Delta, Utah: Football Game, Triathlon, Pizza, and Museum

 A few weeks ago the kids and I headed into Delta, Utah on a Friday afternoon to watch the Delta Rabbits play the Juab team. Our nephew and his  cousin play for the Rabbits, so we wanted to support them. Plus, the kids had never been to a high school football game, and I thought it might be an interesting cultural event for them. Unfortunately it was raining when we got there. And it never stopped, it just rained harder. I had the kids dress in their snowsuits to stay somewhat warm and dry.

At half time the band came out. I participated in high school marching band, so I was curious to see what they would do. They put on a nice program and did well despite the pouring rain.

I think the kids' favorite part was the concession stand. They went back several times to get new treats. Here they are with pacifier suckers, which they found oh so fun. We managed to stick it out until near the end of the third quarter, and then we were so drenched and cold that we decided we better leave. We had reserved a motel room for the night.

The next morning we got up early and headed over to the West Millard swimming pool for the annual Ready, Set, Tri triathlon. It's a super sprint, meaning all the distances are really short. I participated in the adult version. Once again the swimming was my best part, even though I haven't done laps in months. That muscle memory I built competing from age 6 to 19 has stayed with me!

Then it was time for the kids to compete. Desert Boy was enthusiastic, but Desert Girl wasn't so eager. It was a little chilly, and turnout was way down from last year. Only four kids were competing. They got into the shallow part to start warming up.

Desert Girl managed a smile. She loves to be in water.

Ready, set, go! The older boys started.

Desert Girl did her laps in the shallowest part of the pool. She started with some stellar doggy paddling.

Desert Boy changed to backstroke half way through.

If you've never been to the West Millard pool, it's super nice, with a shallow area, lap area, and diving area, complete with low dive and high dive. It even has a water slide and basketball hoop.

The kids swam 100 meters. Desert Boy is almost done. Then he was off, and I only saw him in the distance for the rest of the event.

I stuck with Desert Girl, who was now doing back float with kicking, but she refused to move her arms. She's just six, but we have some practice to do!

Next came the transition. We had her towel and clothes all laid out. The pants proved to be too hard to get on, so she just skipped those.

She was pretty fast getting ready to ride.

Then she was off, pink basket and all.

The bike route was around a huge block occupied by school buildings. Traffic was almost non-existent. I rode with her to keep her company.

Then came a quarter-mile run. Both kids are good runners, not super fast, but they have endurance.

We all congregated at the finish line for the prizes.

Desert Girl was first for girls, Desert Boy third for boys (which he was not happy with and we had a long talk about being a good sportsman), and I finished third overall for women. We all won medals and prizes.

We used the Lotsa Motsa gift certificate right away and celebrated with lunch. That put everyone in a better mood!


Then it was on to a trip to the Delta Museum, where we always see something different and learn something new. Some grocery shopping and time to head  home. Another fun trip to Delta! The Ready, Set, Tri is usually held the last Saturday of September, and they have a Facebook page.