Yosemite 2009!

So I am finally getting around to posting our annual Cox family vaction to Yosmeite National Park. I think it took me 2 showers and hours of scrubing to get off all the dirt but it was all worth it. We ended up going a little early and spent a day at Magic Mountain--a huge amusment park in CA (which was all for Ted) as I am not so into the rollercoasters as he is. I went on as many rides as my weak stomach would allow. I think I did pretty well considering I went on all of them except 3 and even blacked out on one. I would call that sacrifice for my spouse! Ted was very grateful that we got to go. So after that and another 4 hours on the road we got to Yosemite Sunday afternoon.

Monday morning we awoke to Ted and Kenny (the grill chefs for the week basically) cooking up a mean breakfest of bacon and eggs for 30+ people. After that we hiked to Vernal falls with all the kids and adults and had fun looking at the pretty scenery and feeding the squirels. They wil eat things right out of your hands--its amazing, they aren't afraid of anything. We were excited to have David and Kaci come up that afternoon with all the kids. While they arrived safely, they did have some car trouble and unfortunately Kaci got sick with a temperature on Tuesday and had to leave Wednesday to go back to the hospital. We are grateful she is doing much better now and that they had fun while they were there.

On Friday was the Panorama Trail hike (8.2 miles) for the adults which as many of you can remeber was not my favorite things last time in Yosemite a few years ago!!!! But I am happy to say that I think I did very good this year as I knew what to expect (vigorous hiking, unstable ground, thousand foot drop-offs, cliffs, etc.). Ted was very proud of my camping/hiking improvements and can attest that I didn't complain once and even, dare I say, had fun. So we took some beautiful pictures and had a great time even though we were all vey sore afterwards. It took us only 3 1/2 hours to hike the 8 miles up and down the moutain. I think thats probably a little better than our last time which was closer to 5 hours probably. See I have improved so much! (I didn't even give Ted any "I hate you/I hate this hike/I hate camping/I hope you die" looks like last time!

All in all we had amazing time, got very dirty, and were very gratful to everyone who helped plan and carry out the trip. Special thanks to Barbara for doing some crazy planning and cooking to feed 40 people almost everyday. We wouldn't have been able to do it with out you. I'm sure we will all forget the craziness and do it again soon! Until then...