We spent Memorial weekend in Mill Valley, just outside of San Francisco, catching up with one of Joe's oldest friends, Pk.  It was a blast!  Unfortunately we had just a short visit with Pk's wife, Laura, who ironically had a trip scheduled back to Seattle for her sister's birthday (happy birthday Rachel!).  

Pk and Laura live in an incredibly beautiful place.  Just at the base of Mt. Tamalpais and towering over the Muir Woods, with a sneak peak of San Francisco and the Golden Gate Bridge (from the right angle).   They live at the trail head.  We hiked miles all weekend long!  From deep into the woods where we found ourselves at a German bar that you can only get to by foot (amazing? absolutely.) to the highest peak of Mt. Tamalpais.

The view from the lookout at Mt. Tamalpais.  

Enjoying beer in the forest.  The bar was packed!  

A few pitchers later, we're ready to keep on trekking!  

It was such a pleasure to catch up with Pk and relax all weekend.  Did we make it to San Francisco?  Well... no, not this time around.  But that's ok, we know we'll be back!  Pk, thanks for your generous hospitality and make sure to give Taymu a giant hug for us.  

And then we were off to Yosemite!

Breathtaking.

Millions of people travel to Yosemite.  The park is packed (and for great reason).  Campsites are well booked in advanced and once you get there (if you're lucky enough to reserve a spot... we were) they are stacked on top of each other.  Not to mention the camp rangers.  Whoa!  Campfires must be out by 10pm sharp and all food containers (including anything that may resemble a wrapper or container inside your car) must be properly stored away for bear safety.  Makes sense, of course.  On our first night we stepped away from our smoldering fire (for what felt like five minutes) to allow it to simmer a little more before putting it out with water when suddenly we got the loudest knock on our camper door!  Cops?  No, it was a ranger scolding us for being irresponsible with our fire and for leaving a single beer bottle on the ground.  There were seriously about sixty other campers within fifty feet of us.  Nothing was going to happen.  She seemed to find great pleasure in threatening us with a $375 fine and reminding us of the rules.  She was very, VERY thorough.  

But after you get past the rules and crowds you understand exactly why everyone, from everywhere, travel in this direction.  It is absolutely jaw-dropping beautiful.  We started our adventure with a fourteen mile hike up to 9,926 feet called Clouds Rest.  At 1000 feet above Half Dome, you felt as if you were on top of the world.  The views were outstanding and much earned.  And unlike the shorter hikes beginning in the valley, we had the place to ourselves.  

That being said, views from the valley were equally stunning.

Our good friend, Adam Fream, began his three day climb up the face of Half Dome while we were in town.  We unfortunately were unable to see him off, but it was great fun knowing he was climbing that beast while we were hiking around it.  We look forward to hearing his stories!  

The next day, we started from the valley and did a very popular hike (shorter, but equally as challenging) up to Nevada Falls.  We gained about 1900 feet in 3.5 miles.  Again, gorgeous!  

Yosemite was one of those destinations we knew we had to see but were skeptical to stay because of the crowds.  We came, we hiked, we wanted more.  Embrace the crowds and get off the beaten track and you will be planning your next visit as we are right now.