High Sierra Camp Loop

This past September Zack and I went to Yosemite to backpack the high sierra camp loop. We have done a portion of this trail before, and even stayed at one of the campsites before, but this was our first time doing the entire 50 mile loop. While I was packing a snapped a photo for you all to get an idea of what I pack:

I will have to do another post to detail what I pack. After all of the supplies, food and water I was about 23 lbs. That is a good amount for me. 

We spent our first night in Yosemite at the backpackers camp. You can stay here for $5 per person the night before and after your permit reservation. 

The location was not bad at all. 

The Merced River runs right next to the backpackers camp site. 

We parked on the side of Tioga Road and took the Dog Lake trail head. 

Our first night was as Glen Aulin. 

For lunch I made a tuna sandwich with a packet of tuna, a shelf-stable mayo packet, and a piece of  pita bread.

I made a yummy dinner of fettachini alfredo with a packet of chicken. 

****I never finished the posts on this 50 mile back packing trip. For that, I am sorry. This was the best (and so far, last) backpacking trip of my life. I took some of the best pictures! I wish I could find time to finish it!*****

Brunch at the Ahwahnee

This is a post I wrote for my other blog, but I thought I would share it with you here also because it has pretty pictures of the Ahwahnee! Enjoy! 

We woke up on Sunday April 22nd to a beautiful day. It was our first official day as husband and wife and the last day of our stay at the Ahwahnee hotel in the Yosemite Valley. I let Zack sleep in and I explored the hotel solo. I wanted to make sure I got plenty of pictures. Now I am posting them all here in this very long picture heavy post so I can never lose them or forget about our amazing wedding weekend. 

Every hallway is sunny with a view!

The hotel had complementary coffee, tea and hot chocolate for hotel quests. 

There were also two large fireplaces going. 

Enjoying the view with my morning cup o' joe.

The outdoor bar 

Then I decided a morning swim sounded nice. Because, heck, why not?

Especially with a pool this nice! I wanted to all the bang for my buck. 

View from the pool.

Maxin' and relaxin', vintage style in Yosemite.

Wedding ring photo op! 

I couldn't help myself. I am a newly wed after all! 

Seriously, best pool EVER!

After my dip in the pool a took a stroll back into the hotel to check out the Mural Room:

Love that copper fire place! 

The Solarium.

The Lounge.

By this time Zack was ready to wake up. I brought him coffee and we got ready for the day. Our first stop was the hotels sweet shop.

Then we went to see the Mariposa Symphony. They were great!  

Then we went on a little stroll outside while we waited for our breakfast reservation. 

Squirrel! I love squirrels! 

My hubby

I wore a vintage white linen dress, vintage white pollys, a vintage lampshade hat and matching gloves.

 I loved that I got to combines my two loves- vintage and Yosmite. I really enjoyed wearing vintage on this vacation as apposed to practical camping outfits. This is probably the only time I will ever get to do that. 

Then it was FINALLY time for brunch. 

We got a great table again. 

Life piano music 

Fish ice sculpture!

Brunch was an all you can eat buffet for about $40 per person. 

I wish I could eat this all over again. yum!

more....food! We had to get our money's worth after all. 

He is such a dreamboat- I can't stand it! I am so lucky to be married to him. 

Then we checked out of the hotel and went to the museum. Here is Zack with John Muir! 

Seeing the sighs one last time before we hit the road. 

The Merced River.

Playing in the water and tossing pinecones.

Then we hit the road only to find out that the only road out of the south end of the valley was apparently closed due to a drunk driver who overturned his big rig spilling agricultural chemicals. It was so sad to hear a fire was started by something so senseless. We had to turn around and go the long way around and missed work the next day. Even with the hiccup, it was positively, absolutely, the best weekend of my life! So relaxing, beautiful and perfect.