7/15: Wandersessions.

Great things happened this week. I mean, great things happen every week when you're up here...but still. It doesn't make them any less great.

Anyway. Last week Mattie and I did a lot of wandering, including all around Mosquito Flats where I read about dragons and soaked my ankle in this awesome little lake with a terrible view. 

Then we crossed the 395 and found a magic secret canyon (with secret chalked holds) somewhere on the south end of the Sherwin Plateau:

...and then we spaced out and played a serious game of Artifact-or-Notifact around the rim of the canyon, which we DESTROYED:

Then Mattie got all pissed off because she didn't find that mortar (and Artifact-or-Notifact is getting pretty competitive between the two of us), so we came back and worked on a lot of school stuff early on in the week until she mellowed out and my ankle felt better. 

Thursday we climbed a little, then went and saw Dead Winter Carpenters at the Mobil. Awesome. After party. Super awesome. 

Friday we drove north and over Monitor Pass, then a little west from Markleeville and back to the wonderful cabin where we joined a bunch of family and friends for a FONDUE PARTY. Seriously, you guys. A fondue party at a cabin in the mountains with wine and beers and delicious foods for days.  Sometimes things are so perfect that I get suspicious about my karma reserves. 

On Saturday, big brother Scott and his friend Greg showed up (with essentials: Newcastle, jerky, and string cheese?), and cousins Summer and Matt and little Evie a little later on. That night we all feasted on elk, salad, flaming ice cream with fruit and brandy and cinnamon - and brandy, and more brandy, ...Newcastle..., and all kinds of other awesome treats. THANKS Uncle Dan and Aunt Diane and all the wonderful people who we met there! We'll be back soon. 

Later on in the night, we were also lucky enough to meet Greg's alter ego, Craig the Flamboyant Party Ruiner, who tried to light my jacket on fire before smashing a wine glass on the deck. Craig is absolutely fabulous. 

After a slow Sunday morning, we hopped back in the BMW pickup to get back to our little home on Lee Vining Creek. I'm trying to get a paper turned around by tomorrow afternoon, so today is a work day. It's cloudy over the lake, and everything is perfect.

It's only mid-July. Mattie's all like "TWO MONTHS TO GO, DOGS." To top it off, THIS has been stuck in my head for the past 2 weeks. These days, these unreal days. 

Love from the Latte Da, 

Allison and Mattie the Wandering Dog