Yosemite and Half Dome

Last week Rosie and I met my brother, Scott, and his wife, Melanie, in Yosemite for a few days in what many consider the crown jewel of the National Parks. It is a truly incredible place as is clear from the photo below taken from the famous tunnel. In the middle of the picture is Half Dome which seems to lord over all the park.

Our first evening there we drove to Glacier Point where one gets a breathtaking view of the Yosemite Valley, the waterfalls and of course Half Dome.We watched an unforgettable sunset that brought magical golden light to everything around us. In the photo below Half Dome is fully illuminated as the last rays of the day fall on its peak.

Looking the other way into the sunset.

The highlight of our trip was climbing Half Dome. The first part of the trail goes right by two powerful falls. Here we are with Scott and Melanie by Nevada Falls.

We found many large and majestic trees along the trail. Rosie, Melanie and Scott can't get their arms around  this one.

After about seven miles of hiking we saw first hand the challenging task ahead. The sub dome is the first part of the final climb.

Scott and Melanie make their way up the sub dome.

Posing for a photo on the steep sub dome. The cable portion of the final climb can be seen.

Rosie and Melanie chose to stay at the sub dome while Scott and I climbed the cables to the top.

The view from the top of the sub dome. A number of climbers are making their way up the cables in the middle of this photo.

Scott makes his way carefully up the extremely steep cables

Scott took this shot near the summit. If you click on this photo to enlarge it you can barely see Rosie and Melanie waiting at the bottom.

I am standing in a rather precarious position with the Yosemite Valley 5,000 feet below.

Scott and I enjoy this unforgettable moment on the summit of Half Dome.

Rosie and I celebrate on the sub dome. This was one of the best hike/climbs we have ever made.It was difficult -- 17 miles and 5,000 feet of elevation gain -- but every step was beautiful and we thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to go with Scott and Melanie. The only thing that could have made this experience better was if our children could have joined us.