A Circle of Quiet: The reservations are made!

One of the highlights of last summer was a week-end at Yosemite National Park. My husband, three oldest children, and brother-in-law all climbed to the base of Half Dome, where the ant trail of people (pictured below) was too long for them to climb to the top. It was, however, a great introduction to the Half Dome climbing experience.

Well, my husband hit the National Park reservation phone line at 7:00 this morning, and VOILA, we have reservations for another adventure. This June we are going mid-week, and the plan is to hike to the TOP of the Dome, sans brother-in-law, unless he can be persuaded to come west again. (How 'bout it Unk T?)

The younger two children and I spent the Dome day bike riding in Yosemite Valley with my very-wonderful sister-in-law. She and I rented bikes we dubbed the Groovy Schwinns. We had a blast, and the scenery cannot be beat. This year we plan to hike with the Dome Team up to the Mist Trail and we will then bid them farewell. I'm not much for heights, and will do my duty as the happy camper (read: Worried Mother) until they return, sore and proud.

Our Dome Team trained for the adventure last year, using what they called H.E.C. (Half Dome Exercise Club.) They ran up and down hills and they ran the stairs at the local high school. Already, the boys are planning their regime, are deciding what water carrying devices they will use, and are choosing their clothing options. Our reservations are for June; good to know they know how to plan ahead.