Last Family Day... for a few weeks...

August 7th was Karen's last day 0ff of work before I fly to India. We celebrated by going on a big family hike... up a mountain that both Eliza and Sylvie had been asking to climb. "If we only have time for one big peak this summer Dad, can it be Mt. Dana? We always see it, but we've never climbed it!" And so we did, getting a true "family alpine start" at the crack of 11 am!

It was a truly gorgeous spectacular mountain day, taking our time ascending the second highest peak in Yosemite. Lupin was strapped on Dad's back, but both Sylvie and Eliza hiked the entire way themselves. Eliza started out a bit grumpy, but after steadily improving views, countless sightings of cute pikas and marmots, and several strategic snack breaks, she kicked into high gear and I couldn't keep up with her. "I'll meet you at the top Dad," she yelled down, as she scampered over colorful rocks, picking a great route up through the talus. "Don't worry, I'll wait so we can get to the very top at the same time!" We had clear weather and astouding views... The breeze was almost balmy up top, and we lingered until almost 6pm. The girls presented Karen and I with the world premeire performance of the "Mt. Dana Dance," and begged us to let them stay on the summit overnight so we could watch the sunset and starshow.

But PIE was calling, so we reluctantly descended... as we were the last hikers to leave the summit, we had the entire mountain descent to ourselves in golden glowing light. A truly magical evening! We wrapped up the day by arriving back at the car at dark, and zipping off to TPR (tioga pass resort) for a hearty dinner of their famous pie a la mode. Sylvie said "this is the first time we ever had dessert for the dinner and the dessert... can we have dinner like this again sometime?" We assured them that any time they climb a 13,000 foot peak, we will definately celebrate with pie!

Then back to Karen's tent cabin in Tuolumne, where she read them stories, while I got the van packed up by midnight. A tearful farewell in the starry night, as I won't see Karen until Sept.1st in Bangalore. But it was the perfect "last day together" for our family...