Yosemite: Vernal Falls Hike

Violet and Cora had a long weekend and Violet was anxious to get back to the mountains, so we planned a quick trip to Yosemite. Cora had to stay behind for rehearsals, so it was Stace, me and Violet on this trip. We were able to leave around lunch Friday, and got settled into our tent cabin that evening.

On Saturday morning, we got started on the hike to Vernal Falls and the Mist Trail to Emerald Pool. 

It's a hard hike for me, since I'm not really a hiker. Violet and I love our nature walks, but we're not going uphill to this extent. My calves were so sore later! Definitely a great accomplishment to reach our goal, though, and many memories made.

This is the bridge with a view of Vernal Falls - so pretty.

See the rainbow? 

Last time we were here, the falls were much more full, and we got quite wet on the Mist Trail. This time, we only had a bit of mist when the wind blew.
 

When we reached the Emerald Pool, we stopped for a lunch break. This squirrel wanted us to share.

This group of college kids from UC Berkeley was having so much fun, sliding on the smooth granite into the pool.

Another squirrel, eating acorns, like he should.

Violet was in her element!

Catching Up

Exciting Saturday night around here: a trip to Walmart to replace all our cars' windshield wipers!

Stace, Violet and I went to Placerita for a nature walk Sunday, as we continue to try to catch her up on her PE hours. On Saturday, Stace and Vi went for a nice bike ride.
 

Cora helped Stace with some car tasks over the weekend, and washed a couple of cars, too.

Winston, why do you like putting soft toys in your water bowl???

It does make sense why Evie would like to lie on a heating pad.

And, in a cat way, it makes sense that she'd like to lie on the fabric Violet is cutting out.

Violet made this sleeveless mock turtleneck! She's recently turned her artistic interest to fashion.

She also made his hat, which she gave to her friend Sofia.

Violet and Stace fixed a bunch of her arrows, and I took her to the archery range for some more PE. 

And she and I went to Towsley Canyon for a walk.

Well, as long as Winston is comfortable...

Walks and Kittens

Our heat wave broke, and we've enjoyed a week of temperate weather. Violet was excited to wear her favorite sweater for the first time since we got home from England! 

We're trying to make up the hours she needs for P.E., which is tough in August and September with the heat. But on Monday we went to the Iron Horse Bridge trail for a walk.

There was, shockingly, a bit of the Santa Clara River still flowing!

 On Tuesday, Violet and I went to lunch at Everest Burgers in Canyon Country, picked up cat liter at PetSmart, and went back to San Fernando Coffee Co. Her request, I promise! We shared a drink.

On Wednesday, Violet and I took a walk around Bridgeport Lake after her youth group, and saw this Black-Crowned Night Heron (I believe).

Earlier Wednesday, Kelly came over while her boys were at Pioneer Club, and we caught up in the backyard.

On Thursday, Violet and I went to visit Melanie, Nick and Eloise and hang out with Poppy for the first time. We know how quickly the kitten phase goes, so we had fun playing with her. She's a beautiful Siberian, like their other cat, Gibby. Nick and Ellie have allergies so they can't live with cats or dogs that aren't hypoallergenic.

Vi and Mel made cookies together, while I helped Ellie with a Halloween craft.

Kitty love!
 

Week in Review

We went to an escape room for Grandma's birthday, by the Northridge mall. (We have basically run out of escape room options in SClarita, because Cora has done nearly all of them!) 

It was a newer place, but a large chain, so very well organized and rooms with cool themes and props. We did a pirate-themed room, and managed to escape (with a few clues)!

On Friday I had an appointment that took me near a new coffee place I'd been wanting to try, in Canyon Country. San Fernando Coffee Company did not disappoint! I had a vanilla cold brew with horchata cold foam and it was yummy.

Later Friday, I treated myself and Violet to lunch at a newly reopened Indian restaurant in Castaic. It's owned by the same people who own Royal Tandoor, a local favorite. We got two lunch bowls, which were delicious and big enough to feed the whole family over the weekend! We'll definitely be back. 

On Saturday evening, Stace and I went to College of the Canyons' Performing Arts Center, where Big Bad Voodoo Daddy was playing. They've been rocking the big band/swing world for over 30 years, and are so awesome live. There's something special about seeing really excellent musicians playing live; and one of the trumpeters is a local boy, a Hart High grad! Loved our 5-minute drive home, too.

Earlier Saturday, Stace worked on the Tiny House and then on a project at home, fixing our swinging bench. Violet and I went to Colleen and Rigo's for a late lunch with another family we're all friendly with, after taking a nature walk and getting fabric and a pattern at Joann's.

On Sunday, Nick, Melanie and Eloise came over for a few hours. Ellie and I made pumpkin muffins, and I gave her a special job: putting chocolate chips on top! Yes, I'm a good auntie.

I loved seeing her wear the apron we kept from when our girls were small.

Stace and Nick installed a new bumper on their Subaru, as they lost their prior bumper on their drive home from Vegas when they picked up Poppy from the breeder. Strange but true story! Thankfully, the job went smoothly. We all enjoyed a lasagna dinner together after (except for Cora, who was playing D&D).
 

Anniversary Adventure

 Twenty-one years! 

Stace and I celebrated our anniversary with a quick trip to the mountains - quicker than we'd planned! More on that in a minute...
Our preferred beach hotels were sold out, so I thought going up to Lake Arrowhead would be a different way to get out of town and, hopefully, out of the heat.

We booked a cabin, and Stace came home early Friday so we could get packed and get on the road.

We went up the "back way," through the Antelope and Victor valleys, and when we came around to the front side of the mountain, saw a huge plume of smoke. We pulled in, with lots of other drivers, to take photos of active flames. We learned that the fire was in Highland, more than 10 miles away.

We got in touch with the cabin owner, who told us about an app we could download to monitor all updates about the fire, just in case.

The cabin was cute! Two bedrooms downstairs, and the living area upstairs.

Cora would have loved these old bottles on display in the bathroom.

We got settled in and then went into town to get dinner.

On Saturday morning, we awoke to the smell of smoke outside, and ash on the car. The fire was still far, though. We had breakfast, took a walk, and then went back into town for some lunch and shoppin.

The lake is mainly for boating and fishing for residents. We could see these large fish near the main village, which was busy on a warm Saturday.

Look at that smoke cloud!

We drove to Crestline, to Lake Gregory, so we could get nearer to the water. We spent a couple of relaxing hours with a drink and the newspaper.

Then we stopped for a Mexican meal at Hortencias at the Cliffhanger, a nearly 100-year-old landmark building that overlooks San Bernardino.  

On this particular night, it offered a striking view of the fire, too.

We went back to the cabin and relaxed, and as I hung up the phone with the girls, we got the notification that an evacuation warning had been issued for the area. 

So, we packed up and headed out! At 10:45 at night... it was an easy drive, but a very late night. We got home shortly before 1 a.m. 

Thankfully, the fire never reached Arrowhead, and the "warning" didn't progress to an "order." But of course it was better to be safe than sorry, not that we would have been able to sleep Saturday night! And I can only guess that all businesses would have been closed Sunday with the warning in place.

Cheers to 21 years, and an anniversary we won't soon forget!

Labor Day Weekend

This week, Stace and I went to Back to School Night at the girls' schools - our last for Cora! Thankfully, the timing worked out for us to make it to both schools and meet their teachers. Didn't think to take a photo, though.

On Saturday, Stace helped at the Tiny House, and in the afternoon, we went to Ventura to cool off. Cora wasn't enthusiastic about joining us, but frozen yogurt from Surf 'N Yogurt on the way home helped ease the pain.

We found this tiny beach umbrella while Stace was cleaning out the garage; we brought it, not knowing how tiny it was. We got a good laugh out of it! And, it was still helpful, a bit!

My parents came over Sunday evening and brought dinner, and we went to the pool. Cora wasn't able to be with us, as she had a prior scheduled D&D game. Forgot to get a photo again!

Then, on Monday, we celebrated Labor Day by joining Colleen and Rigo on a bike ride in Ventura. We parked at Marina Park, where we'd gone Saturday, and rode to lunch, along the waterfront, and into the town.

We even caught a gorgeous sunset! 

Just kidding... this was a selfie spot along Main Street at an art gallery. We had to be home before sunset because we had to pick up Cora after D&D!

Afternoon coffee with great company, in perfect weather.