ET's Info-Stew

21:15: Over all, today has been a good day. I got up at 6, got ready, said bye to Jenny and left for Dad's house. We left at 7, had breakfast in Oakdale at 8:30, and got to Yosemite at 10:30. We pulled up to the station and had to pay $40 to drive through both ways because the smallest fee was $20 for 7 days and we are going for 9. So we each got a 1-year pass, [not that I'll ever use it]. All that for 3 hours total. We did not get to see half dome, but we will look for it on the way back. We dropped my car off at the Pine Creek trailhead and headed for Bishop. We got our permits at around 14:00, had lunch at Sizzler, bought a hat for Dad and some food. We left for the North Lake campground at 15:30 and got there by 16:15. Unfortunately there were no sites so we had to backtrack stopping at 3 other campgrounds until we found open spaces at the Four Jefferey's [campground]. Got spot 45, which was just under the hills to the northeast. We went for a walk along a creek surrounded by Aspen trees. It is beautiful with the high mountains all around us. Anyway, I climbed the hills to the northeast despite Dad's doubts that I could. It was difficult and tiring. I had to make short term goals like "I'll get to that rock and rest, then go from there." I got to the top after 45 minutes. Dad estimates it is 500 feet up. Over the top, it dips down then behind is another mountain. I think that climb was a major accomplishment that gives me confidence for tomorrow. [It also helped me acclimate by exerting myself at high altitude]. We are still going to have a fire tonight and relax. Well, the stars are coming out and I'm cold. I'm going to go enjoy the rest of the night.