Hike #11 - The Actual Hike to Half Dome

We spent the night fairly close to the trail head and started the hike at 6:30am the next morning.  The girls did a great job.  I'm so proud of them!  This was Michael's first time to hike Half Dome and my second time.

Ah!  We arrived in Yosemite.  Half Dome is a small dome in the background.

Junior Rangers

Do not buy hiking sticks from Costco.  They are junk!

The girls decided that the current was too strong.

I love you!

The day before the hike.  Half Dome in the background.

A heavy duty rock climbing device.

The climb begins...

We made it!

A beautiful way to end the day!

Hike #10 - Manoa Waterfall, Oahu

This hike to Manoa Waterfall was moderate/difficult.  It was only 2 miles, but most of the trail traversed over rocks, steps, and tree roots.  The trail was busy and well-worn.  The fall was pretty but crowded.

Large leaves at the trailhead

Look at the roots!

Jonathan is sacked out.

Happy Mother's Day!

Ariella's photo of the fall

A banana flower.  Do you see the baby bananas?

Hike #9 - Wilder Ranch short loop

This hike was 2.6 miles, very easy, and good for stollers.  The ocean views are gorgeous but can distract you from other nature surprises.  Very windy so hold onto your hats.   There is no shade.  Bring binoculars.

We saw a tiny mouse skull, owl pellets, birds, hawks, muscles, sea anemones, and more...

Website:  http://www.everytrail.com/guide/old-cove-landing-trail-at-wilder-ranch

The beginning of the walk on the Old Cove Trail

David found a mouse skull

I found many owl pellets.  This one had been taken apart.

This beach is forbidden.

This beach has the fern grotto

These black birds are Cormorants.

These yellow flowers are:  Pacific Silverweed

Mud flat wall which crumbles with only a light touch.

The fern grotto cave

Inside the fern grotto cave

Inside the fern grotto we saw a Long Tailed Weasel.
He was too fast to photograph  so I found this one.
Only Michael, JJ and I saw it.  I screamed, "AN ANIMAL!"
Then the other children quickly came out of the cave thinking
there was a scary animal in the cave. 

JJ was so cute as he tried to explain that this looked like a deer antler.
It's a piece of dried seaweed.

Yellow False Lupine

Walking down to the beach

I love the beach!

Our favorite:  The California Poppy

Gorgeous Beach Morning Glory, also called Sea Bindweed.
I loved the heart-shaped leaves.
I was reminded of Isaiah 35:1 "The wilderness and the wasteland
shall be glad for them, and the desert shall rejoice and blossom
as the rose."

Sand Crab or Mole Crab

Scallop shell in tidepool

Beautiful rocks

Anemone and muscles

A rosemary herb farm!  Smelled so good!