DAY 4 IN YOSEMITE

The day started out so good. I got up extra early in order to get into Yosemite before the Saturday crowds. I went to Tunnel View where I thought I was supposed to be, then I saw a text with another location so I went to that location. Turns out I was supposed to be at  Tunnel View. Emily, my guide, and I finally connected. 

Since Tunnel View was fogged in we went to Glacier Point. It too was fogged in. To say it was foggy is an understatement. It was San Francisco foggy. We could not see any mountains. 

We hiked at Glacier Point. 

Then we hiked to Taft Point. We had some lunch on the hike. It started to sprinkle on and off. We climbed to the top of Taft Point and right when we go to the top, it began to rain heavily. We were scrambling to get down when the heavy rains came. I put one foot down and I slipped so I put my other foot down and I twisted both feet and fell down. I think I screamed. I got up and I could not put weight on my right foot. The guide and I slowly got off the rock because it started to snow!  It is too early for snow at Yosemite. Once off the rock the guide sat me down and took off my shoes. She bandaged it up and I tried to put weight on it but no go. I also fell on my camera, so I need to check it out and see if I broke it. 😫

Meanwhile these four college kids were hanging around. They came up and asked if I needed help. We said yes. They were college kids from Spain. There were three guys and one girl. The four of them, with the guide, helped me down the hill and to my car. Before you say big deal. The terrain was crazy. Rocks, puddles, inclines, and it was full on snowing. None of us were dressed for snow. 

It took about an hour to get me to the parking lot. We had to go down and then right back up to get to the parking lot. About half way, a couple from another country asked if we needed assistance. They ended up carrying everyone's pack. 

We finally go to the parking lot where the college kids parked. Our cars were farther away so the guide ran to get her car to transport me to my car or the hospital. I chose my car because I didn't know how much snow the park would get and I didn't want my car to get stuck. 

Before we all parted ways, we took a group photo of the rescuers. They have a story to tell their friends about the lady they rescued off a mountain in Yosemite. 

I could drive but my foot really hurt when I stepped on the brake. I them had to get from my car into my cabin. I did it but I am not going to get any dinner. I ate a bunch of stuff I brought with me. 

Here are some photos:

Until tomorrow...

DAY 3 IN YOSEMITE

This morning started early after a long day yesterday. The burning sensation went away. I'm pretty sure it was something in the soaking bath oils that gave me a bad reaction. 

I drove to Yosemite (it is an hours drive) through the one way bridge that cars going both ways travel across. I got in the Yosemite gate fairly quickly. I drove another 20 minutes to the meeting spot. I was early so I stopped to take some photos at some pull off spots. 

I met Katherine and we got in her car to go to the next spot. It was Tuolumne Grove to see the giant majestic sequoia trees. We hiking through the grove. 

Then we got in the car and drove to Olmsted Point where we hiked a bit, took photos and meditated for a short bit. The is a fire in the park so today the air was smokey. 

Then we went to Taneya Lake where we ate a packed lunch that she brought. It was nice sitting in her camp chairs to eat lunch by a gorgeous lake. One interesting fact: the boulders and trees all had rings around them. It was a mark left by the lake this year after the historic snowfall. That was how high the waters rose!

Then we went to Tuolumne Meadow to Soda Springs. It is a lovely hike to see water that is actually naturally carbonated. Scientists can not figure out why. I also used an outhouse for my first time in a looong time. 

We then went back to Olmsted Point because the smoke cleared and I could get a better photo. 

That was the end of my guided tour/hike for the day. I drove back to the room to shower and get ready for dinner. Tonight I decided to get takeout and eat on my porch. 

Now I need to get to bed because tomorrow will get here soon. It is supposed to rain so this hike will be interesting! 

By the way if you are interested in the dog, she was caught watch soccer with her friend.

Of course she is from Chihuahua Mexico....

Until tomorrow...

DAY 2 IN YOSEMITE

Early this morning and got ready to go to Yosemite Valley. I got in my car and drove along route 140 for miles and miles and that brought me to the entrance to Yosemite national Park. I was to meet my guide Paola at 9:00 a.m for a half day of hiking. We started out our day with going to a lovely riverbed and sat down and meditated. It was lovely right near the water looking up at granite mountains with trees. After our meditation we started to hike (isn't it just walking?) And I saw a waterfall, Half Dome, Sentinel, and walked through a meadow. The only animals I saw were a family of ducks swimming in water. I tested the water and it was very very cold. The meadow we walked through had grass as high as my hips with goldenrod and milkweed. It was a very lovely day. Paula was very patient taking me to many places to get the best photo.

After my drive back to the hotel, I had an appointment for a soaking bath. Fir the first 15 minutes it was great. Then I started to get a stinging in my lower back and my leg. I got out of the tub and the spots were red. Thinking I get bit by something, I came home and took a shower. Then I put some antiseptic on the spots. Turns out it might have been a reaction to the eucalyptus in the soaking tub. Three hours later and it is gone. 

I met up with my meditation group online and did a healing meditation. Then I went to the restaurant for dinner. I am so full. 

That was day 2. I checked in with Lucky and she has started to like watching soccer on TV. Never to late to start a new hobbies! 

Until tomorrow...

DAY 1 IN YOSEMITE

Today I went to Yosemite to hike. To get ready, the bird went to bird camp, the dog got dropped off at the dog sitters and I spent a day packing and getting the house ready. 

I drove to Yosemite this morning. It was a long drive with a stretch break and a stop at the grocery store to get water. 

I am staying at an ex- hostel. It is now a nice retreat with rooms with bathrooms, a cafe and a spa. When I arrived the room was not ready so I sat outside and ate some food I brought. I was given my room key and I moved my stuff in. I brought my portable fridge to keep things cold since there is no room refrigerator. I also brought my portable tea pot since there is no coffee maker. I brought my iPad since there is no TV. 

After unpacking I went for a walk in the forest. I didn't go too far because I do not have bear spray. 

After a short rest, I did my meditation group online meet up. Then I went to the cafe and had vegan Udon noodles with veggies and tofu. 

Now I am in bed watching TV on my iPad. 

Tomorrow is a 1/2 day with the guides I hired. 

Until tomorrow...

HELLO SINGAPORE!

 I am not sure what is going on but I like it!! 

My blog has been seen by 40,000 people this month. Last month it was seen by 9,000 people. I have been blown away when I opened my STATS tab and saw 4,000 people viewed my blog two days ago. I am not sure what has happened but thank you for viewing! I just checked my STATS again and it seems that the majority of viewers are from Singapore. Ni hao! Apa kabar! Alo! Those are "hello" in the three languages spoken in Singapore.

I have not heard back from the vet about Lucky's test results. I am sure she is fine. Here is a photo of her.

Until tomorrow...

WHAT A DAY!

What a day! I was so excited because the part to fix my standing desk arrived. I also had the new transformer for my landscaping lights. My handyman showed up and started with the desk. He took out the raising and lowering mechanism and put in the new mechanism. The desk went down lower but didn't raise up. Ugh! 

I called IKEA and told them the part they sent did not fix the problem. Ikea is going to send me a brand new desk. Which is wonderful but now I have to figure out how to get rid of the old desk.

Then the handyman went outside to install the new transformer for my lights. He installed it and the lights didn't work. So it was not the transformer that was the problem, it is the lights. I tried to keep my cool when I heard this because I thought we are going to have to rip up all the landscaping to fix the lights. Then the handyman and I dug up the wire closest to the transformer and found out that the person who installed it did not put the right thingy to tie the wires together. So when the handyman pulled on The wire it came right out of the ground in his hand without being attached to anything. That is why the lights did not work. The handyman pulled up a bunch of wires and fixed it. So we should not have any more problems with the lights.

So one thing got fixed today and one thing I have to wait to get a brand new desk.

Did I mention that this morning when I went to take the dog to the vet early in the morning, I found a little baggie filled with white powder on the ground? I assume it is drugs of some sort and I picked it up and put it in a bag in the trash can. I took Lucky early in the morning to the vet. The vet said she looked really good but she has lost easily another pound if not a little more since May. I was told that dogs like people get thinner as they get older. He told me I shouldn't worry about it. The vet sent blood and  urine test to see how she's actually doing. I'll find out the results tomorrow.

Until tomorrow...

VEGAN PEAR BREAD

 I just found out my neighbor had someone try to get into her house while she was in it. It sounded very scary. Turns out I have a video clip of the car the people drove on my security camera. 

Today was more cleaning up and getting ready for my future trip. I spent some time in the backyard reading my book club book. 

I made a Vegan Pear Bread. I used the pears I got from my neighbor's pear tree. The pears are as big as a grapefruit. The pear bread is awesome. 

It felt good to bake something again. I gave my neighbor a chunk of the bread.

Until tomorrow...

A DAY OF GETTING THINGS DONE

I feel much better today. I really felt much better after taking a hot shower. 

Today was a day of getting things done that have been on my to do list. Fixing an outdoor light, putting pads in my shoes (for my bad feet), doing laundry, fixing my movie viewer, return an item I bought online, and finish invoicing clients for August. I also found some clients never paid July invoices so I followed up on them. 

It was a satisfying day. The only thing that would have made it better is if the air would clear out. It has been between light red and dark red for days. As a refresher: the colors start at green - good air and go all the way through yellow-green, yellow, light orange, orange, red-orange, red, red-purple, purple, dark purple and finally, burgundy.  I guess black is next and we all die. It is currently yellow which is not too bad. When it is in the orange/ red range it is unhealthy to breathe with asthma. I have to wear masks again. 

I hope tomorrow the air will clear so I can go outside for awhile. 

I also dealt with a difficult situation. I am on a committee where I am a co-captain and the other new co-captain is a bit difficult to deal with. He is the kind of pushy person who likes to get his way. When usually confronted with that type of personality, I usually find a way to resign. But I am working on dealing with this personality type, so I met with him and told him I thought he was pushy and that is not conducive to working in cooperation. He took the feedback well. I think it will have to be reinforced many times but I am still a co-captain. 

Until tomorrow...

DAY TWO AFTER COVID VACCINE

I woke up today and my shoulder still hurt but not as much as yesterday. I went to tai chi but had to do it with one arm.  

I went to acupuncture and after 45 minutes laying with needles in me I felt so much better. I don't know if it was the little nap I took or the acupuncture but whatever, it made me feel better.

Until tomorrow...

DAY AFTER COVID VACCINE

Okay, the good news is that the COVID Vaccine was but as bad as previous vaccines in that I didn't have headache, fever and chills. I did wake up this morning and my shoulder felt like I was stabbed right through the bone. I couldn't lift my arm and anytime I moved I was in tremendous pain. It took until 7pm for the worst of the pain to stop. It still hurt but not as much.

Since I had this tremendous pain if I sneezed or laughed. I basically took a hot bath and said in my fairly new chair all day. 

I did attend a phone conference with my ex-foster kid. When we got off the call my ex-foster kid asked me if I wouldn't mind if he called me his foster mom. I had explained to him earlier that there are step- parents, bio parents, foster parents. I asked him if he was sure what he wanted to call me. He said foster mother. Okay then.

I am literally falling asleep while I am typing this.

Until tomorrow...