6/23: A Family in the Mountains.

Hi everybody! 

We've had another great week on our travels. Unfortunately I'm having some trouble editing my videos, so you'll have to wait a bit for the next inspirational movie (or "bitchin' footage," as Greg calls it). So for now, an old-fashioned picture 'n' text blog post!

Last week we did some great exploring and wandering in the foothills, where we found special rocks (like metates and petroglyphs).

Crazies in true mountain fashion near Thomas Creek. 

Me and Greg with the little monsters. 

Anni, Sid and perfect petroglyphs.

Mattie finds a beautiful metate. 

We watched World Cup games (seriously Michael Bradley, just fly home and do this entire country a favor) from bars and mountain cafes (sometimes in Spanish - thanks Univision). 

And last week we drove south through my favorite places (like Lee Vining, where we of course stopped to say hi to the lovely Elin and stock up on Mono Bars) and down to Convict Lake for the 31st Annual Fish-Off (family reunion on Yeti's side). 

I love hanging out with my family even more than I love hanging out alone with Mattie in the mountains. And that's A LOT. 

Greg and I got to the campground on Tuesday and had a relaxing night before everyone in the world showed up Wednesday for 5 nights of campfires, fishing, lake swimming (it's cold), beers, delicious food (RAMAKI), and generally tons of fun just hanging out with family for a few days. AND meeting little baby Ellie for the first time! 

Perhaps most importantly -- an epic game of Farkle with Dylan and Jessie that probably started a tradition. Here are a few pictures from our time together in the mountains: 

The Reno Crew on their way up for a morning at the lake.

Dylan, Anni and Jessie at Convict. 

Dad "giving us the bird." We love him. And each other.
Dad, Scott, Dylan, Yeti and me, all together at once for a happy weekend.

And a normal one.
This is about the best we can do.

All kinds of other amazing things happened last week, too.

On Thursday, Greg and I took the short drive back to Lee Vining to get some world famous fish tacos (FINALLY, AND THEY ARE THE BEST) and beers and hang out while Dead Winter Carpenters played in the evening above a perfect Mono Lake sunset. That was a beautiful day.

I missed you.
Best food in the Eastern Sierras.
Besides Mono Bars and Monorritos at the Mono Market, of course.

For the rest of the week we: walked and walked in sage and aspens, climbed all over the Ice Creams and the Dreamers (and destroyed our fingers completely), found springs and boneyards of unlucky cattle, got scared by sage grouse, saw a beautiful bald eagle circling above the lake, had a crazy pants party for Uncle Dan's birthday, visited with family and wild creatures (two new snake buddies!), tried to wrangle the children but mostly gave up, got good and dirty, woke cold in the tent before the sun (yay JetBoil coffee drinks - thanks Greg!), swam, stopped by Obsidian Dome, tried to make a fire Paiute style (so close), Farkled, made s'mores, and generally spaced out in the mountains for a great 6 days.

Mattie looks toward Mammoth from a perfect meadow in the Owens Valley.

Waking up in her camping jacket, and soaking up some sun. 

Greg and I drove down together, so tonight I'm back in Reno. Mostly because the US team (I'm LOOKING AT YOU, BRADLEY) blew their certain advance to the knockout round. so I HAVE to watch the crucial game on Thursday and will probably stay up around Tahoe for the week so I can watch it with Scott and Greg.

We've had the best time hanging out with our family for the past couple of weeks in Reno and at Convict. It's about to get a little more lonely as we head back to our home at Lee Vining Creek solo in a few days, but we're looking forward to some real time to think and relax in our favorite mountain town.

For tonight, relaxing at a cozy house in Reno, cleaning my feet and trying to brush my hair after a glorious hot shower. Movie. Hot chocolate. Climbing in the morning. Everything is amazing.


With so much love to our family and friends all over the place (especially this week, with our good vibes and love being sent west to Uncle Greg, Aunt Val, Summer and Colin & Family -- we're thinking of you all),

Allison & Mattie the Archaeology Dog