4th of July and Mt. Whitney

Two days after we got back from our cousin extravaganza in Utah (of which Keith missed most of--the last few days were only planned a week ahead of time and by then his work schedule was already full), we took off an another little family vacation.  We camped outside of Bridgeport, CA and enjoyed the best small-town 4th of July party which included a parade with SO much candy, a rodeo and even a greased pole contest.

We watched the fireworks from the mountainside near our campground where there was a few second delay for the lights and the boom.  So fun.  There was also a river nearby with a natural hot spring seeping into it.  We loved sitting in the hot water which was contained by a little rock wall (which Keith rebuilt and reinforced during the times the water felt too hot--busy much?) but also right in the river.  You could have your body in the hot spring and your hand in the cold river.  So cool!

After a couple days there, we went a little further south to Bishop, CA and camped in the mountains there.  We went on the most stunning hike which took us to alpine lake after alpine lake.

The highest lake we got to was our picnic spot for the day.  We took our time relaxing there.  The water was so blue and crystal clear that Keith and I also dared each other to jump in.  We were wearing a little less than the picture shows but I'm not saying any more than that.  :)  Holy cold water batman!!!

After this, we headed a little further south to Mt. Whitney.  Keith decided to zip up the tallest mountain in the lower 48.  And he literally did zip.  He went up the less traveled Climbers Route and was fast.  But when we got to Whitney Portal the night before his expedition, there were no campsites.  He was climbing the mountain on a Monday so we were hoping the weekend crowd would have cleared out but no such luck!  There were climber sites available though that would allow enough room for a one man tent or bivy.  So the kids and I waved him goodbye and spent the night in a motel in town.  We did lots of swimming, tv watching, and sleeping.  This climbing trip did NOT involve a certain finger and a fish hook.  Perfect!

When we picked him up the next day, we found him sitting in the stream to get a little ice bath on his muscles.  We chowed a famous Whitney Portal burger and headed home.  What a great trip!