Yosemite: Nevada Fall and Lower Yosemite Fall

It's a LOOOOONNNNGGGG WAY DOWN

If you continue another 4 miles from this point you make it to the top of Half Dome

The last 15-20 minutes of the Nevada Fall hike is taxing but the water at the top is cool and there are few better places in the world for a picnic.

The hike wore us out but we stopped at Lower Yosemite Falls just for a few moments. The trip was a memorable one and thank you to everyone who came.

Just for fun:)

Yo Yo Yosemite

We woke up early and drove into Yosemite Saturday morning. The view just past the granite tunnel is one of the most awe inspiring in the world. We are lucky to be just hours away. "El Capitan" dominates to the left, with "Cathedral Rock" and "Three Brothers" to the right, and "Bridal Veil Falls" flowing to the valley. In the very back Half Dome looms. No picture can ever do these massive rocks justice.

A nice shaded spot on the trail to Vernal Fall. It was hot and the trail is a stairmaster on steroids but your boys were troopers. Half way up Vernal Fall

Rainbows are plentiful on the trail. Sometimes they will stack 2 and 3 deep. At one point in the trail, the boys and I were completely encircled. At the end of the rainbow there is no gold, just ALOT of stairs:)

Vernal is my favorite just for the sheer power of the water. The mist from the fall will drench you in sections of the trail and the sound is thunderous. Reaching the top feels great, and it is where many will stop, but we had grander plans.

Camping at Bass Lake

We went to Yosemite for the weekend and had a blast. We camped 13 miles outside the enterance of the park at Bass Lake and enjoyed swimming, card playing, foil dinners, and the now famous "Smoreo" Burnham on the rocks. What more can I say

"Mudback" Ricks had his work done by "Baby Face" Ackerman while "El Fuego the Lizard Man" Burnham chilled on the rocks. All SMILES.

Dirt..Service...Becoming Clean

This week for Mutual the Priests and Teachers combined to play in the dirt. In the process we were able to see a yard transformed and help members of our ward. This is the yard before the bark and sod. We prepped the ground and helped pull some last minute weeds (around my house those are the only kind that grow:) After a couple hours of bark and sod it was time to eat. By then Shawn looked like he had thrown war paint all over his body. The Relief Society sisters tell me that mud is good for the skin.

Here are a few after pictures.

The Costello's want to give a special thanks to all who came. I want to thank the Costello's for allowing us to serve and have some fun.

And All Nations Shall Flow To It

On Tuesday we were able to take part in youth baptisms at the Sacramento Temple. Having a temple so close to us is a blessing that keeps on giving. As the youth of the Oakridge Ward entered the baptismal font, the spirit was felt, hearts were touched, and lives both here and beyond the veil were changed.

From the Caves to Tree Tops

After the Moaning Cavern Tour we drove another 20 minutes to Big Trees National Park. The cracks in these trees are large enough to swallow a few people. If you want to see how an ant feels go to Big Trees. The North trail is magnificent and easy enough for a family with small children......so we did the South Trail. The South Trail is equally beautiful and a bit less crowded, but offers a more authentic hiking experience. This picture is taken on the North Trail.

Stanislaus River flows through Big Trees making for some good fishing or just taking a dip. Beware, the water is freeeezing:) That didn't stop Shanen.

Part of what makes this place so incredible is the evidence left over by fire and lightning. These trees left standing are a testament to the forces of nature.

The trip outdoors ended on a high note atop a "big stump". A special thanks to Dan Parks for helping lead the outing. On the way home we hit Round Table Pizza and looked forward to relaxing after an active day. The next campout will be on June 12-13, an overnight campout to Horsetail Falls.

Moaning Down the Cavern

Down Highway 49 and at the beginning of Highway 4 there are a number of caves to explore. We went to Moaning Cavern to find the famed "cave monster". All I found was a couple of bats. The tour started in the gift shop where they had some remnants of a few people who had taken the " 7 second tour" to the bottom of the cave. The oldest bones are 12,000 years old.

The "perilous" journey into the belly of the cave was made possible by a staircase built from a world war 1 battleship.

This sea monster like formation is the size of a 2 story building, but because of the lack of natural light and shadows, it only looks about 8-10 feet tall. They call it the igloo.

If this group doesn't frighten you, you are one brave soul.

Summer Activities Planning Party

On May 21st we had a planning party for this summer's activities. I was really impressed with what the boys came up with. They came up with a lot of fun things to do (obviously) but they also put some serious thought into service projects that will benefit both our ward and community. After plans were made it was BBQ and pool time. Here for your viewing pleasure are your very own Oakridge Teachers doing the "Triple Chicken Stack"! Awesome!!!

There is a point to every activity. Sometimes the most important point can be making better friends, hangin' out by the fire, and enjoying the art of the perfectly roasted marshmallow.