Retreating In The Mountains

A couple weekends ago, we hightailed it over to Yosemite for a church-family retreat.  We left our troubles safely locked up in our homes, knowing they would be waiting for us upon our return.  This weekend was a get-a-way.  Troubles and stress were not invited on our trip.

Since I knew this weekend wouldn't be dirt free, I packed a bag I could carry that could easily be thrown into the wash.  When I took it out and laid it on the floor, Belle saw her opportunity.  And I saw a photo-op.  ;)

She cracks me up. She just hopped in there as if to say, "So where are we going?" In reality though, she could care less where we were going. As long as she gets to go, too. I snapped her photo and then laid her (within the bag) on the bed, next to my other bag that I was filling with clothes for the weekend. I stepped out to grab some towels out of the dryer, and when I came back into our room, this is what I found.

 

She upgraded. 

Apparently, she wanted a more roomier, and girlier ride for the weekend. I understand, little Belle, I understand. We made our trek over to Yosemite (yet again, haha! maybe I should rename the blog to "something about yosemite."  just kidding :)) and I think the ups and downs of the hills made Belle a little resentful toward the car. She started breathing heavily and I just KNEW she would lose her supper any moment! Thankfully, she made it to the camp with her supper still in her belly. We arrived and set up our bed for the night, inside the cabin with our friends. As you can see, Belle was happy to see our bedding.  She quickly rooted around and found her spot for the night.

The theme for the weekend was "Face Your Giants." We participated in classes revolving around the idea of over-coming your hurdles, and "leaving it on the field."

If you haven't had a chance, go read my thoughts on "leaving it on the field."  

We brought Austin's best buddy with us on this trip, which I truly believe, made the retreat about 1,000 times better for Austin.  He had a friend that he could explore and roam the hills with.  They had real "guy time".... no Playstations, no Wiis, no computers.  Just two young men out to explore the wilderness.  And his friend is such a great kid- we sometimes forget he is even around!  He's very well mannered and soft spoken.

We all hiked up to a creek in the hills of Yosemite. The water was ICE cold.... well maybe not ice cold, since then it would be actual ice, but you know what I mean!  

The kids really got into gold-searching. Hey, we are in California, you know...the golden state.. And there were sparkly flakes all throughout the creek.

   

I'm not sure why Belle looked sad in this picture, she was quite happy to be out in the woods. Even if one of our friends did have to pull a tick off her nose while I held her down. Small price to pay.

 Saturday night, my husband let out the card shark within himself. I was going to post some pictures of the card playing group- but I'm pretty sure the people in them would ask me to remove them from the blog.... in every shot, someone is making a dramatic and horrible face. The shots were all candid, so it was bound to happen at some point. 

So our weekend was spend truly retreating in the mountains. 

No work, just relaxation, connecting more with friends, and studying God's word.

A Surprise Visit

A couple of weeks ago, my dad called and asked what I was doing.  "Just hanging out... not a whole lot.  You?"

"Not tooooo much" he replied.  "What are you doing Thursday?"

"Uh...coffee with some girl friends... same as every Thursday..why?"

"Do you think you could swing a trip to the airport and pick us up?"

WOOHOO!  What perfect timing!  I had been so homesick, and now a huge part of my "home" was coming to visit me!

We took a trip to San Francisco:

We took a trip to Yosemite:

And my parents, despite being on vacation, did tons of really helpful things for us around the house.  For example, my mom ironed and my dad hung curtains in our dining room and in our kitchen:

As well as Austin's room and our bathroom.  Thank you so much guys! 

Although we had a great time, we did have one little incident in Yosemite...

SOMEBODY got a little too close to the ledge....

Don't worry, we managed to pull him back to safety.  ;)

Mom and Dad, I loved having you (not just for the extra set of hands) but for all the fun times we had.  I can't wait till you come visit again!

Psalm 19:1

If you don't want to see a bunch of beautiful pictures of Yosemite, skip this post. 

Otherwise, enjoy!

This one was taken back in March when we first went to Yosemite.

"I see skies of blue...and clouds of white, the bright blessed day, the dark sacred night.  And I think to myself, what a wonderful world."

-Louis Armstrong

So beautiful even though the trees were sparse.

We loved how the snow formed at the bottom of the waterfall.  Isn't it gorgeous?

This lake wasn't here when we visited in July.  All dried up.

Evergreens, crystal streams, peaks of Kiliminjaro, deep blue sky, rocks that cry all give praise to my God.  -"I Am" by Avery Stafford

Listening to the waterfall was so peaceful.  I'd like to take out a hammock and nap right here.  If someone could just watch out for bears for me, please.

Look at the lilies and how they grow. They don't work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. -Luke 12:27

For you shall go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and the hills before you shall break forth into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. -Isaiah 55:12

Let all the trees of the forest sing for joy. -Psalm 96:12b

Above: Bridal Veil Falls

Below: Half Dome

Savior.  He can move the mountains.  My God is mighty to save, He is mighty to save. -Mighty to Save

View from a lookout near Glacier Point.

Seeing waterfalls from above is priceless.

We are so high up, and yet this shot is not even of the Valley floor.

Another shot of half dome.  I'm just in awe over the fact that people climb this rock!  (Using the steep side, too!)

Storm clouds moving in.

Breathtaking in real life, pictures don't do it justice.

They never do.

We saw people on the top of this using a telescope.  Well, Carl and Ann did.  I have to take their word for it.  :-P

Finally arrived at Glacier Point

I hope that red on the rock on the left is not blood....

Pride Rock, anyone?  Anyone???

The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands. -Psalm 19:1

There's the Valley floor.

Breathtaking.

Yosemite Wildlife

I spy with my little eye..... something with horns.  (No, not all these cars... you guys.)

My father in law got a much better look than I did.  Here's his shot:

If you couldn't see him in my shot, look straight through the cars.  He's that brown patch at the end.  He's eating a tree.

On our last trip to Yosemite, we saw this pretty girl:

And I like to think that you know, boy met girl, and thus we stumbled upon this little precious.

Can you see her?  She's kind of small.  She's to the left of the tree that is closest to the fence.

We also got to see Miss Featherbottom, pictured below. 

I'm told that she's a grouse.  Up close, she appears to be a cross between a chicken and a turkey.  Hey, no judgement.

And then we also saw this fellow.  Just minding his own business.  I'm not sure if coyotes hybernate or not, but this one looks to me like he just woke up.  He was very chillaxed.

And no we did not get out of the car to get this picture.  Next to a grouse, sure why not.  But a coyote?  Hey, unless his name is Wiley and he in the form of a cardboard cutout, we'll stay in the car thankyouverymuch.

Speaking of cartoon friends like ole Wiley, we also ran into Chip.  I mean Dale.  No I mean Chip.  Ugh... I don't know.  I always get those two little rascals mixed up.

One of these days, we will see a bear.  From a distance.  But close enough to get a good picture.  But not close enough that it eats my camera.  Or my family.  K?  We're working on it.