Monday, May 26, 2008

San Jose Family Camp - Y Adventure Guide

Friday-
We unpacked and joined fellow campers for Hot Chocolate and cookies.

Saturday-
The bell rang at 8am for Breakfast and the fun began. Arts and Crafts, sack races, ping pong. It rained off and on but with our rain slickers we were able to still have a great time.

Keely, Lauren and Isabelle hung out and built boats for the big regatta down the river.










Sunday-
Mom went to Yosemite for a day hike from Yosemite Valley to Yosemite Point. See full set of pictures:

This is a fairly long and quite strenuous hike up the famous Yosemite Falls Trail to the top of Yosemite Falls and then to Yosemite Point. Though only a 9 mile round trip the trail involves a 3,840-foot elevation gain and loss.
Starting at Camp 4, the rock climber's walk in campground, the trail begins a steady, fairly steep series of switchbacks for just over a mile to the crossing of a seasonal stream. After a short level section the trail switchbacks steeply for about another 1/2 mile to the old Columbia Point and views of Yosemite Valley and MT. Clark in the high country. A few more steep, sandy switchbacks and the trail levels, drops downhill and levels again before reaching a spectacular and noisy (lots of crashing water in season) view of upper Yosemite Fall. A short side trail leads to "Oh My Gosh Point" and a view of the Upper Fall as well as a view straight down to the Lower Fall.
Continuing on the main trail we drop down again, level out and the follow a long series of switchbacks to the top of the Upper Fall area. A short, exciting, side trail leads to a view straight down the Upper Fall.
Back on the main trail we drop down to Yosemite Creek, cross it on a strong bridge and continue for a moderate 1 uphill mile to the top of Yosemite Point, just over 3,000 feet above Yosemite Valley. At the railing we can look down the cliff face into Yosemite Valley, see the Lost Arrow Spire and, with luck, maybe some climbers on the spire. We'll also have fine views of the Clark Range and the high country. After lunch and enjoying the view we retrace our steps to the Valley floor.

Monday-
8am breakfast and packed up camp for the drive home.

Monday, May 19, 2008

Big Basin Camping Trip

Big Basin Camping Trip

California's oldest state park, established in 1902. The Shea, Guidice and Reen clans drove up to the state park for a weekend of fun.

See full slideshow including videos: http://picasaweb.google.com/aimee1shea/BigBasinMay2008Camping

Huckleberry Campground and Tent Cabins are surrounded by the large old growth redwood trees which make Big Basin a special place to visit. We arrived Friday early evening and settled into our cabins sites #23, 25, 27.

Site #23 has an awesome redwood tree with a large hollow opening at the bottom which was perfect for the kid's hang out. This site also highlighted direct access to the shadowbrook trail and Sempervirens Creek.

Saturday morning, HeatherAimee made a rockin breakfast and we all hung out playing games. Keely/Greg left early since she had a softball game, but made it back by noon with a win!

That afternoon Mike/Heather and Aimee took in some extra scenery during our little hike but found a cool waterfall. We took the Shadowbrook Trail up to Sempervirens Falls, over to Sequoa Trail, back down to Wastahi Campground to Blooms Creek Trail, back up to Sempervirens Campground and back to Shadowbrook Trail that brought up back up to Heukleberry Campground.

Saturday night we got a camp fire blazing along with a dinner feastwhich included: salad, chicken, noodle roni, corn, Keely's cake and S'Mores.

Sunday morning, we ate cereal and packed up. Went on a short hike with the entire crew back to Sempervines Creek. Drove home..the end.

Tuesday, May 13, 2008

Mom's mother's day present



Saratoga Gap / Long Ridge Trail

The Yosemite half dome hopeful team is now hiking together and we completed our first hike last Saturday May 10th. It was a warm day and we completed 15 miles down the mountain, up the mountain, across the beautiful grassy ridge and back to skyline/hwy 9.As you can see we crossed several streams!









Wednesday, May 7, 2008

Crochet- Cable Purse


Recently I learned how to crochet cable patterns. I adapted a square purse pattern I saw into this cute new pattern.

Tuesday, May 6, 2008

Lauren's Brownie Troop 300 - Petroglyph

Friday night May 2, 2008 Lauren's toop met for a She and me night. Petroglyph, in the Willow Glen neighborhood of San Jose, is conveniently located along side Noah's Bagels, Peet's Coffee and Tea, and Jamba Juice. The girls had a great time and Lauren completed a cute cupcake. We had various snacks and drinks that were brought.

My dog has class

We are proud to announce that Charlie has completed his intermediate class at Petsmart on April 29th, 2008.

Charlie has mastered the following:
Sit/Stay for 1 1/2 minutes
Down/Stay for 3 minutes
Go to bed
Come/Place from 40 ft
Heal/Quick/Slow
Turn right/ Turn Left
Down