Camping at Bass Lake

A few weeks ago I went on a camping trip to Bass Lake with Steven and his family.

We hung out around the lake most of the time and went tubing with the boat we brought.

Since Yosemite was 15 miles away we went there for a day and explored the sights.
And on the last day we fished along the dam before we left since my brother had never done it before.

Some details:
The first night we were there we were sitting around the campfire and a park ranger walks to our site.
He warned us that there had been bear sitings recently and that the night before a 400lb bear was seen with two cubs.  This trio was spotted hanging around our exact campground. We all thought, "Well great, the worst combination we can stumble upon and now we're scared." It didn't help that our campground in particular was along the edge of the forest secluded from everyone else and it would get pitch black at night without flashlights.
Nothing had happened the first two nights and we went about our days exploring.
The third night came and we were playing Mafia. As the game was going on we would hear sticks on the ground crack around us and we'd get up and shine our lights into the forest.
At least three times it would be deer walking past us and a deer even walked through our site.
We figured it was nothing else and went to sleep.
However, a young bear cub did come and steal some food that night. Only opening and closing our coolers, it stole salami, marshmallows and a bag of peanuts.  We found the nuts not too far from us and each one was carefully cracked and shelled. It's amazing how clever these animals are.
After this night I guess the bears realized we had easy food and came back two nights in a row after!
It was scary knowing they could so easily trespass our area.

Steven's family had bought this tube you sit in and it is tied to the boat. So anyone sitting in the tube gets dragged. However looks can be deceiving. It wasn't a smooth ride. We were being thrown around and it felt like being on a roller coaster. It seemed like we were going 50mph but we really only went 20mph. At times we caught some air and both Steven and I almost flew out. Steven was literally out of the tube and he would have flown had I not pulled him back down by grabbing his leg. It was exciting, stomach churning, and one of the funnest things I've ever done. I think we were just screaming the entire time.

Also during our mini-trip to Yosemite, we got to see Half Dome and encountered a bunch of deer.
We stopped by Curry Village which was this huge place where people got to sleep and had a lobby, bar, pizzeria, stores, and really good ice cream. It was like luxury camping.
On the drive back to our site we encountered a coyote along side the road. It didn't show any fear whatsoever and was just staring at us. As we were taking pictures it walked up really close to one of our cars. It was freaky because we weren't sure if it would snap or if it was just curious.

We weren't allowed to fish off the boat so Steven, his sister, my brother and I stood in the dam and fished in the shallow waters. We were only able to catch the tiniest fish since the larger ones were deeper in water. I think I caught the most (maybe around 5) and I caught a fairly large trout but it wasn't large enough to take home to eat. So we ended up letting go of all of them and started swimming and playing around.


I had amazing time with the family and the forest was absolutely beautiful. There was moss growing everywhere on the trees and it was thrilling being able to get so close to wild animals. I wished I had wracked up the nerve to swim in the lake but it was still really fun. I'm blessed to have opportunities to create wonderful memories with people I care about and I'm especially glad this family has taken me in as their own. I can't wait for the future trips with everyone once again.

Natural tank tops!

Can you see the excitement on my face? :p

The moment Steven was about to fly out

Sexy and not so sexy faces...

The Outlaws

Where's Chris?

Touching Half Dome

Scary faces!

It's Summer!

I finally have time to myself!

So last week was finals week and I finished my first year of university on Thursday.
It's such a relief to get a break since quarter systems go by so fast.
Anyway, for the next four days I was working and since I haven't been in the work force in awhile, an 8 hour shift was something I wasn't used to anymore.
I'm glad I got hours in especially because we were super busy for Father's Day but OH MY GOSH
I've never been so exhausted in my life. Everything was go-go-go. I was at work and when I wasn't I had to drive down for my high school teacher's retirement party or do other errands.
I don't think I've had an 8 hour sleep since before finals week...
But now that I don't have to work until next weekend I get to catch up on things I've been putting off for awhile...


ON ANOTHER NOTE!
I got a Russian Tortoise! (:
I've always wanted one but never really looked into getting one until recently.
They are usually pretty expensive ranging from $100-$150 normally. Mind you these are often wild caught animals. Captive bred are usually way more.
But the perfect opportunity came; Petsmart was having a sale on reptiles. And on top of this sale one of my uncles happens to be the manager and he was able to give me a limited time discount as well. So I ended up getting the tortoise for half the normal price. It was too good of a deal to skip.
So I got my very first tortoise and named it Potato!

Here's the story about the name:
For some reason I've always wanted to get a fat cat and name it Potato just for fun but I don't like the idea of a stinky litter box in the house so since I know I'd never own a cat I figured Potato would be a perfect name for this little guy.  They're both roughly the same size and similar shape and Russian Tortoises like to dig underground while potato spuds are found underground!
Very stupid comparison and completely random name but I think its cute.


When I first got him it was super wary of people and when handled he peed and pooped everywhere ):
But I've been carrying him and bringing him outside and hand feeding him everyday. Slowly but surely he's getting used to me and doesn't cringe as much when I get near. I've also been able to stroke his head a couple times. Antisocial but the cutest little thing ever! He's also a pig when it comes to food. I just kept feeding him because he'd never stop eating but I read that Russians can overeat which may lead to development problems. I guess I have to cut down on how much I give him.. It's just too fascinating to watch and its the only thing I know I can do that would get him to get used to me..
Anyway I'd like to introduce you to the newest family member for the next 50 years:

Man Period

by Adrienne L.

The room was completely dark

With only the streetlights outside 

Peeping through the window shutters.

We lay there embracing each other, holding on tight.

My arms wrapped around him and 

His around me.

He kisses me and strokes my face.

His breathing starts to grow longer and deeper.

His lips slow and eventually pause.

I hear a long inhale and feel his lips quivering against mine

I hear a trembling exhale and sniffles break the silence.

I think to myself, "What's happening?"

I realized I was witnessing this man cry for the first time.

He doesn't cry. Ever.

In shock, I attempt to help him wipe his tears.

I ask him what is wrong.

"I've never been so happy in my life," he says.

"I had never thought the feelings I have for you were possible.

That is all I want in my life; to be with you, rich or poor."

Smiling and laughing I ask if he is on his period. 

"Yeah."

His tears have given me joy for I know that he is comfortable

Around me enough to show his emotions.

"I was crying because I really want to propose to you right now but I can't."

But.

I don't need any of that. 

As long as I get to see that smile,

There's nothing I want more in the world than your happiness.

I'm truly blessed to have met you.

And I cannot wait to grow old with you.

To me, we are particles and atoms that return to the ground

Once we have had our time.

However,

If there truly is a God, the time we've experienced together

Is proof alone.



ps.
I'm sorry if I embarrass you <3