FAMILY FUN

I recently had the extreme pleasure of guiding two of my sisters and a brother-in law in Yosemite National Park. Yosemite has become one of the parks in which I most frequently guide. Being able to share my knowledge and experience with my family is always a satisfying treat.

This trip allowed us to be a little more adventurous than when I typically guide here. We spent four days in the back country and barely saw a soul. It was a wonderful opportunity for me as a guide, and seeing the three of them decompress more and more each day was very gratifying.

From left to right: Jessica, Mike and Cecelia. Love to be with my family in such a beautiful setting.

We backpacked and camped in the Hetch Hetchy Valley, which is located in the Northwestern part of Yosemite. Indigenous people like the Miwok and the Paiute have lived in the area for over 6,000 years. It is a great place to go in the summer to escape the heat of the lowlands. We found it the perfect backdrop for hikes, relaxation, and reconnecting!

John Muir called this valley,  "a grand landscape garden, one of Nature's rarest and most precious mountain temples." We couldn't have agreed more.

Mike enjoying the simple things in life! Everything tastes better surrounded by nature.

Sharing a favorite overlook with my lovely sister Jessica. Half Dome is the feature on the left. Below us is Yosemite Valley.

Back to civilization and the Ahwahnee dining room.

It is such a privilege to guide my family and show them the sights I have grown to love.
Here's to more adventures with my fabulous kin!

MASSIVE TRIP! PART TWO

5 National Parks in 15 days

Here are some more photographic highlights from this trip to Yellowstone, Tetons, Glacier, Olympic and Grand Canyon.

My client Cindy has shared more awesome pics from Yellowstone:

The Upper Falls

Fishing Cone

It used to be commonplace for fishermen and women to cook their catch the second they caught it, right here in this hot spring. It is now prohibited, but just think how fresh that entree would have been. 

Dragon's Mouth Spring

Part of the Hayden Geyser Basin. This spring got its name because of the belch likes sounds it makes as well as the lashing tongue appearance of the splashing water.

Thanks again Cindy for letting me post your great pics!

More from Olympic:

This Sitka Spruce is the giant of its kind.

And one can never tire of the amazing expanses of the Grand Canyon:

So proud of these clients who made it to Oh Ah Point. Hiking to this spot really make you feel you've earned the view

MASSIVE TRIP! PART ONE

 Five National Parks in 15 Days

From September 4th until the 18th I travelled with my clients to Yellowstone, Tetons, Glacier, Olympic and Grand Canyon. This trip was with National Geographic to commemorate the 100 year anniversary of the National Parks system. I was so lucky to have guided a woman named Cindy, who magically captured some of our experiences with her camera. Thank you Cindy for sharing!

Grand Prismatic of Yellowstone is the largest hot springs in the U.S. I think Cindy's photo captures the almost alien quality of the springs.






















Wow! Cindy's photos of the Tetons display their true majesty. Breathtaking!

Having been to Glacier for two consecutive trips before this grand excursion you might think it would be just the same ole same ole. Well my clients and I got caught in a snowstorm on Logan Pass. A treat to see the snowy landscape before summer changed to fall, but we were relieved once we got down, as ten minutes later the pass was closed!





More mountains and snow! This hike in Hurricane Ridge of Olympic, is a favorite of mine because  this particular view from the trail mingles glaciers and snow fields, but if you took a 180 turn you'd see Vancouver Island.





On the northern most of the southern beaches of Olympic is Ruby Beach. This rugged area of the Washington coast is named as such because of the ruby-like crystals that make up the sandy shoreline.





Cindy again captures the awesomeness of mountainous landscapes. I love getting the chance to return to, and learn more about Mount Rainier, the highest peak of the Cascade range. It is a volcano, considered dangerous because it could produce a mud flow that would threaten sections of Seattle. You can just imagine the force of destruction it could produced standing witness to its enormity.


I have more shots to share from this trip and I know Cindy does too! Be on the lookout for part two of this MASSIVE journey!