Take me back to California

All of the planning is causing me to reminisce on some of the cool stuff I've gotten to do in the past.
But today I'm really thinking about Yosemite.
I first went to Yosemite the summer of 2005 with my two sisters and dad. We drove across America on a month long trip, stopping at every national park along the way. On this trip I would attempt my first Lake Tahoe 100 mile bike ride. and fail. I backpacked the Grand Canyon and did some pretty neat stuff. But what stuck with me was the week we spent in Yosemite Valley. Probably one of the coolest places in the world. Nothing can compare to the views, the vast cliffs, the giant trees, and flowing water. But time was short and we had to move on to our next stop.

My dad has a heart for adventure and a love of the outdoors that I am so thankful he gave to me. So 6 years later when Dad said he wanted to go to Yosemite again, I was all in. This time we would do it a bit different. Amy(my sister), Vicki(my stepmom), Dad, and myself flew to California and drove to Lake Tahoe, Nevada. This time I would successfully finish my first century(100 mile) bike ride. Even greater, I would do it with my Dad, Lyndsey(other sister), and my Granda. My granda was honored as the number one fundraiser for the Leukemia and Lymphoma society's Team in Training who sponsor the ride; riding with him was the greatest honor. Here is a picture of my Lyndsey, Granda, dad and I at the finish line:

The opportunity was one of a lifetime.

We then set off to Yosemite, a half days drive from Tahoe. We spent the first day getting settled into camp and preparing our legs for the next day. Now I am certain that there is a gene in the Schaet blood that makes you want to climb very tall things and feel accomplished. SO naturally in Yosemite, Dad and I wanted to make sure we climbed it all. The most important, half dome. Half dome is about 4700 feet above the valley floor(where you begin the hike) and an 18 mile round trip day hike. EIGHTEEN MILES IN ONE DAY! I won't go into the nitty gritties because I really only want to remember the feeling of standing on top.

That feeling is the greatest feeling. I've felt it a few times but nothing compared to Half Dome. You look around and see the world how God intended it to be, pure. and you are all a part of the image.
Wow what a great euphoria, and I can't wait to experience it at a whole new level on top of Mt.Kilimanjaro.