Yosemite and a new kitty

Becky and Ruth on top of Vernal Falls.

This week we went camping in Yosemite where we met our good friends the Hulls. Becky Hull and I were room mates in college in fact I met her one day before I met Bill. This was both families first visit to Yosemite and we had such a great time. Despite the wildfire we were able to visit the valley.  In addition to seeing Half Dome and El Capitan, we hiked to Vernal Falls. 

656 Steps--according to Zoey

 On this hike you hike for a mile or so and then climb some steep steps to the top of the falls.

The next day we hiked closer to our campground at Lembert Dome. This hike exceeded all our expectations. For very little effort we got the most amazing views.

Zoey and Sophie on top of Lembert Dome

From the top of the dome we could see the Rim wildfire. (You can sort of see it in the distance to the right of Bill) Oh and there was almost no one on the trail this might have been because of the wildfire.

When we came down from our hike, we met some friendly firemen who told us that the road to the valley--the one we had taken the day before--was now closed. We felt fortunate that we got to see the valley and we weren't stranded on the wrong side of a road closure.  

In other news....

Can you spy the kitten in the bookshelf?

Meet Holly Golightly our new kitty. Technically she's Zoey's birthday gift, but we waited until after Yosemite to get her. She's named after the Audrey Hepburn character from "Breakfast at Tiffany's" who--like our kitty--often wears a little black dress.

 We are having so much fun with her, especially John.  This kitten might be the only member of this house who does not tire of John's teasing....yet.