Let's be honest, it's been one hell of a year. We made it through a wedding, a major relocation, deaths in the family, new jobs, new friends and new adventures, and we arrived at our first anniversary this past Sunday.
I had mentioned earlier in the week my intentions to take Friday off and head to Tahoe for some end-of-season downhilling, but it was brought to my attention the next morning that I was not to leave the immediate Novato area, nor make plans for the entire weekend. My queries went unanswered.
It started out innocently enough on Friday night where Mike appeared at the door with a beautiful mulit-colored boquet of roses and an invitation to sushi, afterwords we munched on our cake top that my mom had overnighted to our door. (much to our surprise) Saturday morning Mike made breakfast and we exchanged cards a day early. There was also a curious envelope marked #2 placed in front of me.
I opened #2. The instructions I read aloud were clear, "You have 30 minutes to pack the items in following list. Ask no questions, the clock starts NOW!" "BEEP" Mike set the timer and walked away. Oooohhh-kay! What the hell? The list went like this:
- Toothbrush
- Shorts
- Hiking boots
- Evening dress
- 2 large bananas
- 4 bike tires
- 2 cups of peaunuts
- High heels
- coffee
- etc...
The list completed, Mike started shoveling bags, dog and wife inside the car and took off in a southerly direction, where we made a quick stop in the city to apparently drop off Webber. Doggie drop completed, we continued south on 101 with me guessing and Mike grinning but keeping tight lipped.
South of San Jose, we made a turn East and Mike finally admitted that yes, we were in fact going to Yosemite. Once we arrived, he pulled into a hotel just outside the park. Our room was right on (about 30' from) the rushing Merced River.
He turned and said to me, "I thought this would be a nice place to stay for a few days."
"Wow...um..yea that'd be great! I don't know about you, but
I've got to work Monday. Does that mean I'll be coming back to pick you up?"
Mike grinned. "I've got it all taken care of."
He had arranged with both of our managers Monday and Tuesday off. I was stunned!
That afternoon we went into the park and did some small hikes.
Sunday, we did the Half Dome hike. A 17 mile round trip excursion which is climbing up stairs for 8.5 miles then hiking down them the remaining 8.5 with a cable climb on a 45 degree dome face thrown in the middle for fun.
We just got home yesterday so the photos will hopefully be up on our site soon. www.theburchs.us.
El Capitan
The rig we need
Bridalveil Falls
It's a long way Down!
Half Dome
