Lizzie's Birthday - 28 Sep 03

Yosemite
National
Park
California

One of
the most
beautiful
places
on Earth

November 2006
Four Mile Trail

July 2004
Clouds Rest
The Waterfalls
Glacier Point

September 2003
Lizzie's Birthday

June 2003
Yosemite Bug
Half Dome
Swimming and Glacier Point

March 2002
With the Boys

Yosemite National Park, California is one of the most beautiful places on Earth. And thanks to Dennis, we're able to appreciate the mountain trails above the valley. Dennis has led us on several expeditions in the valley - Half Dome twice and Clouds Rest. Thank you Dennis.

The first time we went to Yosemite was when the boys came to visit in March 2002. We bought the digital camera on the Friday and then headed off for the mountains - staying in Mariposa overnight. A really great weekend.

On other occasions we've stayed both in Yosemite Valley and in the Merced Gorge approach to the valley.

Our favorite place to stay is the Yosemite Bug - about 10 miles north of Mariposa and 25 miles south of Yosemite Park on Highway 140. It's a 'Rustic Mountain Resort'. It has cabins, home cooking, good value beer and wine and a log fireplace. It's a real get away from it kind of place: http://www.yosemitebug.com/.

Lizzie was asked "What'ya like for your 13th birthday?" and here reply "To climb Half Dome". Great Idea!

So we all went off to Yosemite. Penny's sister Kate had just arrived from Melbourne and joined the expedition. And John's mother Willi - also from the land down-under joined us for the trip.

I was really pleased that we made it all the way to the top this time. In June, we had to turn back when there was an electrical storm near the summit. You can't climb the steel cable when there's thunder and lightening about!

We travelled up on Saturday afternoon and stayed in the tent (low-cost) accomodation in Yosemite Valley itself. It's very basic, however it's only a few minutes from the start of the climb and we wanted to be away at dawn. It's late September and there's only about 12 hours of daylight. Got to get a move on!

When we got back, we went to a pizza place in the Valley for dinner. Well it was Lizzie's birthday - so a celebration of everything was in order. I'm very grateful to Dennis for driving back after a very long day. Just Amazing. Happy Birthday, Lizzie.

Janet and Lizzie	Willimena	Penny
Andrew	Arriving in Yosemite	El Capitain from car
El Capitain (over exposed)	What a sight	Ali kind of blurred
Ali in focus	Dennis driving car	Dennis, Felicity and Ali
Penny fixing dinner	Willimena at dinner	Alice at dinner
Andrew at dinner	Sunset on HalfDome	Sunset from campsite
Dennis and Ali fixing dinner	Janet at dinner	Lizzie opening her cards
Ali in bed (6am)	The pit	Ali taking photo
Ready for the off	The off again	On the trail
And again	Vernal falls	Penny at sunrise
Gang at Vernal Falls	Dennis at Vernal falls	Penny at Vernal Falls
Willi at Vernal Falls	Dennis at Nevada Falls	Robin at Nevada Falls
Gang climbing the trail	Lunch	Robin and Half Dome
Dennis at Half Dome	Julie and Dennis	Beeston Beauties on top of Half Dome
Victory	Robin on top of Half Dome	Robin looking scared
Robin and the view	More of the view	Dennis shows no fear
Dennis closer	Standing on the edge	Over the edge
Looking down and down	More vertically down	down down down
Don't know	Robin having sandwich	Lizzie relaxing
Robin at the top	Hats off	Janet relaxes
Penny relaxes	Janet and Lizzie on top	Robin and Lizzie
Robin and Janet	Coming down	Steep isn't it
Almost down	Back to lunch spot	Lizzie and Penny
Janet surrenders	Lizzie at dinner	Andrew at birthday dinner
Penny with Angus at dinner	Ali at dinner	Birthday cake and candle
Happy Birthday