July/August 2005

Newsletter

1973 with Duncan (in Dressing Gown)

Sunset at Half Dome viewed from Glacier Point

Stop Press

Bill had his 50th birthday on 21st August, so to celebrate we had a wee party in the back yard. I made a scrapbook detailing his 50 years (well, with whatever photos I could find!). Still have to add a few more stories.

A combined July and August newsletter as although we went to Ashland, we didn't seem to take many photographs, a problem with going three years in a row. We saw three plays over the long 4th July weekend; Richard III, Dr Faustus in the Elizabethan open-air theatre and a modern Italian comedy, Napoli. We drove to Grant's Pass about an hour away and took a boat trip up to Hell's Canyon on the Rogue River. We saw lots of ospreys and eagles.

Just back from Yosemite National Park. This time we stayed in a private condo (apartment) which was 1/2 hour from the valley floor. The advantage in the location was we avoided the horrible crowds of summer and it was very close to Glacier Point Road. This road is closed in winter and during the summer, the Park Service put on 'Star Talks' at the viewing area. With no light pollution, the sky is really dark and tons of stars are visible. We did three separate hikes that joined in a loop and the views were just incredible - sheer drops down into the valley.  Sentinel Dome (8122ft) is second in height to Half Dome at 8,842 ft.