Peakbagging

Why did Dad and I feel the need to hike to the top of this mountain? Because it's there.

After a few hours of slogging uphill, we reached the summit of Sonora Peak (11,464 ft.), the high point of Alpine County. I have to say that the views were worth the effort. The peaks of Northern Yosemite were especially dramatic from this vantage point.

I also have bragging rights now as a bonus.

I Have No Reservations About This Place

No reservations to enter Yosemite National Park? No problem...

There is plenty to see and do outside the park. We drove up Lee Vining Canyon and hiked up to an abandoned silver mine around 10,000 ft. We were greeted by thunder and lightning and got soaked in a downpour (helpful for the firefighters, I suppose). Afterwards we retreated down to Mono Lake and the sun came out, a welcome development which we took full advantage of.

In the picture you can see the Mono Craters, North America's youngest mountain range. It looks like a fascinating area. I've never seen it up close. Next trip perhaps...

Burning Down The House

 My home state, California, continues to have very dry summers and extreme fire seasons. In the background you can see a plume of smoke from a fire in the Carson Pass area. We later found out that the town of Markleeville had to be evacuated. Bummer.

It's pretty clear that climate change is driving a lot of this. It's very important that we find a way to limit emissions and keep this wonderful planet as livable as we can.

Portlandia

We finally made it to Portland, Oregon and a visit with Jackson and Wendy. We only got to hang with them for a few hours, but it was fun. I especially enjoyed Mt. Tabor park with views of the city and the mysterious new statue of York, the enslaved man who was an important member of Lewis and Clark's Corps of Discovery.

It had been so long since I'd seen my brother and sister-in-law. I missed them a lot. Well, at least I can say that life is good and together we rock. (Read it on our t-shirts.)

Bernice's Bakery

No visit to the town of Missoula, Montana is complete without a stop at Bernice's Bakery. The yummy treats there are second only to Purple Tree Cafe in Davis. (It's true. Pam did not pay me to say that.)

Fort Union Trading Post

You have to say the "trading post" part to distinguish this place from the military Fort Union site in New Mexico...

We stopped by this historic place near the confluence of the Yellowstone and Missouri Rivers, right on the North Dakota-Montana border. It was really active during the heyday of the fur trade in the early 19th century. The guide told us that the biggest problem the fort's managers had was to make sure that Indian tribes that didn't like each other wouldn't show up to trade at the same time. I would not have wanted the job of bouncer.

Get Happy

Theodore Roosevelt National Park is a favorite of mine. This time we explored the North Unit. You can see the Little Missouri River winding its way through the badlands in the background of the picture.

I'm wearing my buffalo t-shirt which is very appropriate because we later drove very close to a big herd of bison in the park. That was awesome and it made me very happy.