Prepping for Half Dome

Half Dome – Yosemite Musing

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     A lot of folks are getting permits off this site. Good going! And thanks to all the givers. The $1.50 service charge per permit is a fair payment since it’s a service fee and not scalping. Those bums are still out there. ReserveYosemite.com is a scam – do not fall for permits at $60 and up. It’s against the law to sell them. My guess is these dudes are outside the USA and popping for suckers via Paypal. Don’t bite. There seem to be plenty of permits on the trail. I am surprised that the park has not nailed them yet.

     I ran the ups at St. Joseph’s Hill in Los Gatos yesterday. Not a big deal, but I walk the downs to save my knees. My Aug 25 hike up HD is coming soon. I will be at Mission Peak in Fremont  Thursday at 9 am if you want to join me for a day of exercise and chatter. Then on Sunday I get to taper off. Ahhhhh

     I am finally decompressed from my weekend at Reno. I taught an introductory Nordic Walking class. But I also attended the Hot August Nights Car show. About 9,000 classic America cars. Love ’em. But the attendance was down from past years…that old “economy” bug. A few observations: I-80 going over the high passes is like cobble stone. The right lane is really chewed up from trucks with chains. Also, there seems to be a never ending construction zone near Nyack. (Sounds like the 3 Stooges: Nyuck, Nyuck).

     At the old “Worlds Biggest Little City” arch sign they are building a new hotel. On the Virginia street side they are constructing the world’s tallest climbing wall … looks like 8 stores to me with a negative incline at the top. A good belay is critical! A must see is the National Bowling Stadium. It’s HUGE. 78 lanes and grandstands (with cushy seats) for 700 spectators. Funny that it is NOT open to locals. They did not want to steal biz from Reno blowing alleys. Only tournaments are held there. The Car Museum is superb. And hiking at nearby Mt Rose is nice. The air is very dry near 5,000 feet. I took a drink every 15minutes! Funny how Reno and Tahoe are becoming joined at the hip. The airport is officially the Reno-Tahoe Airport.

Unrelated thought worth quoting: “Dear sir or madam, will you read my book? It took me years to write, will you take a look? Based on a novel by a man named Lear and I need a job, so I want to be a paperback writer, Paperback writer.” – The Beatles

*MrHalfDome – Rick Deutsch – www.HikeHalfDome.com