A few posts ago I wrote about our pending Half Dome hike, which was an amazing hike through some of Yosemite's finest.  And on the first weekend of August, we finally drove up for it.  And though the small point-and-shoot camera won (I needed the extra space for more water), here are a few images:

Our first night we had a rainbow, a sunset, and an amazing view - what can be more perfect?  Of course, a few minutes after that it started to rain, which led to a mad dash to the car.

It looks like everyone is all over the place, but it's actually a series of steep switchbacks on the last leg of the hike.

Ever since I was a kid, I have had an unhealthy relationship with books.  Give me a good book, and I forget about normal things like eating and sleeping.  It got to the point that my mom would actually hide my books from me and forbid me from reading for too long.  So I would take abnormally long "baths" and read in the bathroom.  Yes, I know that sounds ridiculous, but a good book has the tendency to do that to me.

So lo and behold, I was extremely excited when this bulky package arrived at my door yesterday, crammed to the brim with goodies handpicked by Gisela.  I know I've said this a few times, but it's great when clients feel like old friends, and Gisela is no exception.  Despite a distance of, oh, about ten states, we chatted freely about travel, BBQs, and all sorts of random things.  And, like me, she has an (un)healthy love for books.

There goes my free time!  I'm excited to read them all.  Thanks so much Gisela!  I'm so excited to see you and Jay soon!  It's going to be an awesome wedding!

I took this picture a few years ago.  Yosemite is probably one of the most easily recognized landscapes in the United States. I haven't been there recently, but this month has been rolling by far more quickly than I ever imagined it to.  And looming over it all in August is our Half Dome trip, which I am excitedly anticipating. 

A few years ago a few of us hiked for about six hours to the top of Upper Yosemite Falls (above).  It was supposedly the equivalent height of two Empire State Buildings, but of course, far more scenic.  There was also a lot of snow at the very top of Upper Yosemite Falls (picture below, right).

... but Half Dome is going to make Upper Yosemite Falls look like a cakewalk. 

So I'm faced with a dilemma: bring my SLR or bring more water?  I had initially glibly answered, "camera, of course!"   However, according to Tony, by the eighth hour on a hot August day I will probably be thinking differently.  And I also saw this recently, had a few second thoughts, and am now back to square one.  Perhaps more water isn't a bad idea after all.

It felt like the whole city was out to watch the fireworks from Rainbow Harbor in Long Beach.  The past few weeks have been (wonderfully) busy with weddings and engagement sessions, so it was a really great time to just relax with family. Hope ya'll had a great Fourth of July.

Quite recently I embarked on a mini road trip to Death Valley with Ellen.  However, there's nothing very "mini" about this vast, seemingly desolate stretch of desert.  It is the lowest, hottest, and driest location in North America.  I was a little apprehensive because of the heat (about 113 degrees, and high 80s at night), but we had a great time and the landscape was very starkly beautiful.  Though I admit, nothing quite prepares you for the scorching heat of Badwater. 

This is a "self portrait" on a tenacious little puddle of water on the salt flats, how it managed to remain I have no idea.  A sturdy hat is necessary, as strong gusts can cause you to bid goodbye to your only source of shade.

The adaption of wildlife in Death Valley is nothing short of impressive.  Nighttime driving became and unwitting game of Frogger, as we attempted to avoid coyotes, jackrabbits, and countless mice dashing across the road.  Our accommodations were at the kitschy little Atomic Inn.

There is something very peaceful about the stillness right before sunrise, about being the first set of footprints to walk on the dunes at morning.  It's also kind of fun to run down the sides.

Others left tracks the night before. 

A few intrepid hikers managed to walk even further than we did (see if you can spot them in the picture below).

No trip to the Mesquite dunes at sunrise is ever complete without some milk tea, especially when sunrise is at 5:40am.  Thank you, Ellen.

I love the silvery sheen of the desert holly.  It's the only plant I've seen with built-in reflectors.

In Mosaic Canyon you can find marble polished to a smooth sheen from flash floods.  We took advantage of the coolness at 7am and  took a few shots from "Pride Rock" (think Lion King) and also attempted a few ill-timed jumping shots on a timer (very challenging) on Ellen's camera.

This modest, colorful restaurant in Beatty, Nevada had one of the best chili verde dishes I've had in awhile. 

Rhyolite ghost town

An eccentric house made out of glass bottles. 

Gross truck with missing grills that Ellen made me (sort of) climb onto.  It was completely missing the bottom and completely overrun by other inhabitants.

The lush oasis that is Scotty's Castle is located at the northern end of Death Valley.  It's a surprising bit of luxury in an otherwise very inhospitable place.

Ubehebe crater dwarfs everything around it, and surrounds the nearby landscape with dark volcanic ash.  This doesn't quite indicate how incredibly large it is, it is roughly about half a mile wide.

As accustomed I am to light and noise, nighttime at Death Valley is a bit eerie since it's so quiet and almost completely dark.  You feel incredibly vulnerable, but then you look up, and there are no words to describe how bright the stars are.  Pictures certainly do not do it justice.