9 years and counting

On July 8th Jaime and I celebrated 9years of marriage and 15years as best friends. Christopher spent the week with Grandma and Grandpa Ramirez in Corning. Jaime was able to get an extra day off during the week so we could go do a couple more things. Me and Jaime both have enjoyed hiking since we were in college, and we have found little time to do longer hikes since Christopher was born. Though the small hike are enjoyed just as much. Hopefully one day Christopher will appreciate all the wonderful outdoor activities that California has to offer. And if he is not in California i hope he finds new ones. Jaime and i fell in love with Yosemite the first time we visited back March. and when we returned with Jaime parent, they bought us a hiking book with short hikes around Yosemite. Our dear friend Jer was trying to get a group of us to hike Half Dome together. Old HS and College friends. But it never happened. So me and Jaime set out to hike half dome on our own, during the week of our anniversary. I know both our parents were a little nervous, considering that they were 2 death in about 3 weeks of one another. But Jaime and I were both determined to hike and finish Half Dome in one day. We left the house here in Madera at about 345am. Between the starbucks stop and a small fire burning through HWY 41, we got out of our Car at 630am in little Curry Campground. I was very overwhelmed the first 2 hours. Nothing but a straight up hill battle, of granite stairs. But seeing the waterfalls made it all worth the trek up out of Nevada Falls. Flat trail in the valley was a blessing since my legs were burning from all the uphill. But when we finally reach the base of Half Dome, i was shocked. As i climbed rock after rock to reach over the summit and reach the destinations of the cables, i was in awe. Only 400 more feet. The cables i must say were easier than i was picturing, it was that last 45min climb over the summit that killed me. But after reaching the top, i was happy to see the whole valley, and be a part of what most will never see. Me and Jaime enjoyed the time we spent gazing for miles. When we headed back down the cables i never thought that the trip home would be tougher than the trip up. I will have to say that my lower body was aching all the way to the car. But it was nice to reach the water and soak my feet, and then finally at 8hrs and 45mins and 18.5miles later, we reached our car. Here are a handful of pictures to mark our journey to and from