Family Vacation Time!

Day 1

Every year, my family likes to get together and go on a vacation. Last summer, we went to the island paradise called Hawaii. This year, we decided to pile in the car and drive for a day up California to the mountain paradise called Yosemite National Park. We've been to Yosemite before, but it has been a long time, and a return had become overdue. The intrinsic beauty of the park justifies, nay, commands return visits. The mountains called, and we answered!

After much planning and anticipation, the day before departure arrived. This is the day where you get all your gear packed up and fill the car with gas and make sure the pets have a sitter to keep them alive.

Now, that is what you are supposed to be doing, but my siblings and I were having too much fun to stop and pack. Finally, Dad had to lay down the law, and we were obedient. I think all Dads have a tone of voice that they reserve for times when they must command complete cooperation. I don't blame him, he was to drive and we were anticipating a 4 o'clock departure.

We rolled out of the driveway a little before 6 am. A light bluish Honda Odyssey with a trailer laden with food, camp chairs, an eight-man tent, a couple bikes, charcoal, propane, flashlights, cards, binoculars, batteries, and every other needful thing.

The drive up was pretty standard, really (say it like Dr. Evil). We ate at Subway, drove on the freeway. One mile led to another, and we eventually found ourselves in front of a ranger welcoming us to the campsite. A little drama when he discovered that our campsite was rented out to another family under the assumption that we were not going to keep our appointment. We had given them due notification; they screwed up. Luckily, they made it good, and everything worked out fine.

Just call me spongebob squarepants! I'm flippin' some krabby patties for the family, but unlike my porous friend, I appear to be less than excited at the prospect. Actually, I was hungry and stoked to be cooking on a propane stove in the mountains. The camera just failed to capture that inner joy. Perhaps I was still recovering from the drive...

We spent the rest of the evening exploring our surroundings and playing games.

Dad has binoculars mounted to a tripod.

Here's the view from our campsite. Awesome!