We got on the trail about 11:30.

We took the Rock Garden trail up to the bridge. This trail which branches off from the original trail is 1.75 mi.

We were hiking pretty slowly because she didn’t link the plants growing around the path (“Is that poison ivy?” every 30 seconds) and it seemed like every little bug made her jump.

<<12:45pm – Laurie at the base of a rock stairwell.

1:07pm – Laurie in the “Rock Garden”>>

<< 1:38pm – Laurie was excited she could go thru the squeeze with even touching the sides.

1:45pm – On top of the bridge with Lover’s Leap in the background. >>

We returned by the Original Trail and got down about 2:30pm after about 2.5 miles.

Nice parallel parking job mom!

  Walking to class…

and signing in…

Finding her locker…

and getting settled. Her best friend from pre-school Isabelle (foreground) is also in her class.

They both had a great day and loved it very much. We went to Joe Balognas for dinner with Gramma, Pops, and the Cyndee, Jay and Turner. This is a long standing first day of school tradition. Jim Oldach also joined us.

Laurie’s favorite part was no doubt Tilley the local dog who followed us around until a group of teens came by and then she took off with them them. I think this is the same dog I saw here nearly 4 years ago. I’m not sure she’s had a bath since then either, but she’s a very sweet dog.

I’d say we covered about 3 miles with some steep climbing at times. It look like I may have a real hiking partner in the family. We finished it all off with some Root Beer and lunch back in town before heading home.

My original plan had been to hike to Santa Fe Baldy, a 12,600 ft peak. However at that trailhead I found a couple of inches of fresh snow and I was not at all dressed properly for that kind of weather. So this was my consolation prize.

I start heading down the trail at about 12:20pm. The elevation is here is 7,300′. It’s mostly cloudy with a temperature in the 60s and it’s breezy. At about 12:30 I pass this blooming cactus. The trail runs adjacent to the campus for a while. This trail photo was taken about 12:36.

Elev. 7560′ 12:40pm> The trail crosses a road and goes up these stairs. There are still homes near the trail at this point. To the right is the view back toward Santa Fe.

12:55pm> I pass below a transmission line and through this fence.

1:03pm> A look at the climb ahead.

Elev. 8000′, 1:17pm> I come to an intersection in the trail. To the right is an easier but longer route and to the left is a steeper route. I choose the steeper trail.

Elev 8120′, 1:27pm > I stop for a lunch break. This is the  view looking back toward Santa Fe from here.

Elev 8280, 1:50pm> Looking back at the upper intersection where the trails join back together.

2:10pm> A view of the trail at 8700′.

2:37pm> I reach an overlook. The summit is only a couple hundred feet ahead now.

Some photos from the summit area. The group of rocks in the second picture is the highest point on the mountain at 9121′.

3:30pm> I start my way down the mountain.

3:55pm> A view back up at the summit from the trail.

4:05pm> The intersection where the trail splits. I go back down the steep route the way I came up.

4:12pm> I reach the lower intersection.

4:45pm> I cross the road again.

4:50pm> Back to the cactus. The sun is out now so I get a shot from a different angle.

5:07> I arrive back at the parking lot. Here’s a shot of a building on campus and one of the trailhead with Atalaya in the background.

Now, on to today’s title “Abigail’s Prayer.” This is not the Abigail of King David, but rather my 4 year old, sweet as can be, very funny, even when she doesn’t mean to be, but doesn’t want you to laugh (at her she thinks) when she’s being serious, Abigail. Tonight before dinner she asked to say the prayer and it went a little something like this (with my thoughts in parentheses)

Thank you for the food.

Thank you for the roosters.   (roosters?)

Thank you for the world.

Thank you for reindeer.  (I’m starting to get a little amused, but still well under control, until …)

And the reindeer in heaven that were kicked by the woman.  (the what???)

OK, I’m dying now trying not to laugh, and Leslie’s losing it too, and even Laurie’s getting the giggles. And that of course ends the prayer because we’ve hurt her feelings. Sweet thing. So we all get calmed down, and apologize, and try to get an interpretation. Leslie finally get out of her that it’s for a deer that was hit by a car and laying by the side of the road she saw (sometime in her life) and that’s how the explanation worked itself out in her little brain I guess. And then we had a nice dinner, but that was definitely a classic, even by her standards.

Blessings to all!  -Jim

I was in Dallas last week and got back in time to take the girls to a Santa party at work. I missed Abigail’s school performance that morning though. Here’s a picture of the girls after the program.

I was getting very frustrated with WordPress. I love the features and layout it offers but I found their interface very buggy, especially when using photos, which I’m obviously using a lot. So I decided to give Blogger a try. It was easier to work with, but nowhere near as full featured as this. Plus someone had already taken “Jim’s Journeys” (the nerve). So I wasn’t pleased with that either. Then after some research I found out about blog writer software that you use on your local computer then upload when you’re ready. I elected to go with Windows Live Writer and I love it. I can now get all the benefits of WordPress without being stuck with the buggy interface. Highly recommended!

Here are some pictures of the girls going to a Fall Festival party last month. I’ll put some pictures from Trick or Treat up later.

Can’t forget Chloe. I caught her taking a nap with Laurie’s pig.

I’m sure as I get into this more I’ll be sharing everyday events and thoughts like all you other bloggers out there too. Anyway, please enjoy, thanks for stopping by and feel free to leave a comment.  Blessings!  -Jim

Jan 23, 2005:  We drive up from Fresno, check into our hotel in Oakhurst, and then drive into the valley.

We watched the moon rise over the valley and then drove to Badger Pass where we went on a guided full-moon snowshoe walk.

On the snowshoe walk we climbed this path up to Old Badger Summit where we were treated to a spectacular view of the night sky and Clark Range.  Leslie’s asthma was acting up but she toughed it out.

Additional photos from this Yosemite trip.

Jan 25, 2005: We drove down to Kings Canyon N.P. to see the giant sequoias.

The General Grant, also know as the Nation’s Christmas Tree, is the third largest tree in the world.

This shot Leslie took of me along the trail gives you a sense of scale as to how large these trees are.

The Grant Grove Visitors Center is covered in the heavy snow found at this altitude.

Oct 30, 2004, 10:25am> I go on this hike with 10 others from our home church as part of a weekend getaway in Gatlinburg.  We park off the side of the road as the parking lots at the trailhead are already overflowing.  The path immediately starts a gradual but steady uphill climb.

10:36am> Looking back down the wooded path.

10:56am> After a while the view opens up revealing Mt. LeConte in the distance and the valley below.

11:02am> The trail levels and then begins a gentle downhill slope. Looking down a sharp dropoff to the left you can see the steam rushing below.

11:04pm> Looking ahead as the trail approaches the falls.

11:08 am> The trail comes to a bridge that crosses the stream between the upper and lower falls. This is a popular area for everyone to get their picture taken.

11:12 am> The top of the lower falls viewed from the side.

11:20 am> Views from the base of the lower falls.

11:25 am> We start our return trip to the parking lot.
11:56 am> We reach the parking lot, completing a total of 2.6 miles over 1.5 hours.