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We drove across Tioga Pass on Friday, surprised to find some snow still at 9,000 ft. The thunderstorm and hail eventually subsided by the time we made it down the eastern entrance on our way to Mono Lake.

Saturday, we had a quick breakfast at the Curry Village before our Vernal Fall hike. The mist was at full blast this time of the year and we spent about 30 minutes or so drying up on the granite surface and taking in the view.

To avoid the mist trail on the way back we instead hiked half a mile further up to Clark Point passing by Emerald Pool and Silver Apron. Once again we heard thunder rumbling on the valley’s northern side and we could see the dark clouds approaching. We hiked down as fast as we could while trying to avoid stepping on “souvenirs” left by mules on the zigzagging John Muir Trail.

That same evening, we visited the Le Conte Memorial expecting to hear a presentation about “Sound That Nature Makes” but actually found ourselves in front of a poetry reading session by shall we say, a “nonconventional” artist. I guess you could say the “Eminem” of the Sierra Club (if such a title was ever bestowed!).

I was particularly relieved to hear the feedback from another lady the following day who summed it up candidly: “that was WEIRD!”.

Sunday was less hectic. Took some photos around the valley and wrapped up with an impromptu picnic by the Swinging Bridge before heading back down to the Bay Area.

Long weekends are never long enough.

Flickr Slideshow

Recorded with a Sony PCM D50.

The Birds of Coyote Point

After watching Pacquiao’s amazing fight with Hatton last night we arrived at Napa around 10pm. This morning as forecasted, the roads were pretty wet and there were some light rainshowers. I registered on time by 8:45am and kicked off the ride around 9:00am.

While it was slightly drizzling for the first 5 to 8 miles of the 25 mile route (this was my first time to ever ride under the rain), the weather actually turned out to be pretty good. I suspect that there would probably be more participants if it was not for the weather but I still experienced the camaraderie among fellow riders nonetheless. Temperature was much better than when I rode the same route two weeks ago under a heatwave. Today was actually enjoyable.

As I approached the finish line, I was quite overwhelmed by emotions as I heard a familiar clanging sound I first heard from the Tour of California earlier this year. But this time, it was those red Tour de Cure cowbells from friends and families cheering us on. That did it for me and that is why I sped away from the finish line crowd. Hahaha!

Needless to say, it was the perfect ending to a wonderful ride. We then went out to celebrate at a grill nearby.

Thank you very much!

-kyo-

Off to the Start Line

My Podium Girls! (I bring my own)

Cheers!

Last night as we were wandering around the aisles at Walmart, I was tempted to try this different brand of sardines. At about 3.75 oz they cost a little more than the typical brands that we get at less than $2 a can but still much cheaper than if you get them elsewhere. The labeling boasts 2.8g of Omega-3 and “a delicious tradition for over 100 years”. With a sales pitch like that, how can I resist?

As it turns out, “sardines” is not actually a fish species but becomes a sardine by the traditional processing method. There can be as many as 11 different species used in making it. The one I’m most familiar with would be Philippine mackerel.

This is probably the first time I’ve ever tried brislings in olive oil. They are caught from Norwegian fjords in the North Sea and packaged by the King Oscar company in Poland. They are then distributed in the US by Bumblebee Foods in San Diego, CA.

The taste is mild and complimented well by the olive oil. I imagine this could be good with crackers [SkyFlakes] with a tiny twist of citrus such as lemon or calamansi. This could be a fantastic meal on the hiking trail as well.

-kyo-

2009.03.24
Distance: 23.95mi
Time: 1:59:39
Av: 12 mph
Mx: 23 mph
–
HR Avg: 87%
HR Max: 99%
Tm in Zone: 0:12:20
Alameda Creek Trail

Napa Valley in Spring, view from the Tour de Cure route

Friends,

This May 3rd, I will be participating in my first ever cycling event in the ADA’s Tour de Cure in Napa Valley, California.

Please support me and the ADA by making a secure online donation on this page. Your contributions will help set the pace in the fight against diabetes.

Thank you very much!

-kyo-

Portait photo from Auey Santos of Photograffiti.net.

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Now here’s a crazy idea.

Yesterday, my long ambitious journey up Yosemite’s iconic landmark begins. On the weekend of the summer solstice in 2009, if all goes as planned I will attempt to hike up this famous 17-mile trail with anybody who is interested to come along.

My agenda are twofold: first, cross this item out of my “bucket list” and second, improve my current fitness level so that I could enjoy hiking more. I am not sure whether I will have the guts nor the endurance to climb up the banister cables yet. A granite path that’s 475 feet high with an almost 45 degree incline. But that’s not the crazy part, they say it takes about 15 minutes to go up that portion.

From what I read, the real challenge would be the brutal 4,700 feet of elevation gain that you will make from around 4,000 feet at the trailhead by the valley floor. The fact that you have to complete it within 10 to 12 hours while the sun is still up means that pacing with primary focus on safety would be very important.

Now this is not something I am doing on a total whim since I’ve visited Yosemite more than a couple of times. And one summer in 2006, along with a bunch of friends and relatives, we hiked the Mist Trail to the top of Vernal Falls (first time to the top, second time to the base). Granted that is nothing compared to the full Half Dome route but I was definitely at a worse physical condition at the time and yet that experience very much made an impression upon me. I said to myself that it won’t surely be the last and that one day, I hope to be able enough to prepare for the Half Dome Hike at least once. Some would even call it the Hike of a Lifetime. [That to me translates as: "it's so brutal, you probably might never do it AGAIN"].

So starting today and with about 9 months to get in shape (most guidebooks recommend at least 2 months), I am inviting you to join us on this epic adventure. Summer is the busiest time for the park and accomodations go rather quickly.

The plan is to drive into the valley the previous afternoon, check in at one of the valley accomodations and get to bed early in time to hit the trailhead by 6:00am the following day after a quick breakfast.

I intend to post more details on this blog with my research notes and how my own training is coming along. It’s not a do or die operation. If we make it up there, then fantastic, otherwise no biggie, the mountain will always be there.

As I said, it’s just a crazy idea. But it’s so crazy that it just might work!

-kyo-

-kyo-