Oh and for the record, not that this was a surprise to me, but Alex makes an excellent hiking companion, no matter how much he'd like everyone to believe otherwise.

I already miss the roar of our river. After a 13 mile hike, it was all I wanted to hear. Now my brain attempts to convert the sounds of traffic into sounds of water.

Garbage scrambled eggs were amazing. Held us through until we got all the way home. Afterwards, I actually made it to guitar lessons, but my mind was not there.

More later...

Swank Camp Comes of Age ....




... is how I shall entitle the story I'll eventually write about this year's edition. (I never did write up last year's .... largely because so many of the stories were potentially embarrassing to people).

This year .... less youthful exhuberance and more deep passion, truth, beauty and love.




Too tired to describe any details. A nice drive home (thanks for the tip about Route 63, NirvanaMan. That shall be the route forevermore.) Then an EMERGENCY load of laundry if ever there was one, and a certified Hazmat shower. Sigh, then and only then the internet. 916 new posts. I lose the game, yet gain the world. Swank Camp was magnificent.

For now, I'll have to let Ghoulish Delight's clever innuendos fire the imaginations of those who stayed home, and cheer the hearts of those who lived like kings on the banks of the Kings'.

While you guys were out, I got promoted at work, and landed a spot as a union representative- oh yeah, I also moved my main computer system into a new shiny brushed aluminum case.

It's great that you had a great time, welcome back :)

Pictures??

I'm so jealous, maybe next year......

Photos in essentially the near random order in which they ended up uploaded. Click on photo for a larger version if you want one (and much bigger are available on request). Put in spoiler tags so the page doesn't jump around while they're loading.

Roaring River Falls


The ability to find faces in random formations is amazing. This one is above Mist Falls. For those along it was not the Sphinx, nor was the other one. The Sphinx is on a completely different trail (if you follow the one over the bridge).



Mist Falls. Hardly any of my river shots came out. With full sun, it was just too bright to have anything around it. And when tight there just isn't enough context to make it impressive.



In the presence of big dead trees, some people are moved to meditation



while others are moved to grope themselves



During the Mist Falls hike, we had lunch on this rock but first iSm enjoyed the view.



Ignoring a briefly glimpsed deer butt seen on the way home, the second largest non-bird animal seen over the weekend.



The Mist Falls hiking group on a bridge. The great thing about having the camera is not being in the pictures. Alas it was a bit too far away to be trying a handheld shot.



GD does some breakfast disco...apparently while wearing a falconry glove.


The view looming above Swank Camp


Much of group crawling around on the rocks at Roaring River Falls.



A view down one of the many side canyons driving down into Kings Canyon near dawn.



A spot of fast water just above Boyden Cave



Ignoring that deer butt, the largest non-bird animal seen over the weekend. But at least it was evil.



And finally, the only really good picture I took over the weekend. But I guess that is why you shoot a lot. Once again at Roaring River Falls.

Great pictures!

Did Lisa bring kitty home?

I had a great time!
Will post more later.
Now I shall shower and go to bed.
:)

Alex


To all, welcome back, can't wait to hear stories so I can be properly jealous!