2013 - My favorite photographs from the year
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At the end of 2013, Google did an automatic little slideshow of the pictures I've uploaded to Picasa and sent it to me. One of my friends told me that Sophia was the real star of the year.
This is true.
And because she is, it means that we spent some great times together. We'll get to her pictures at the end of the post. First I'll sort of go in chronological order.
First, I was able to go camping with two of my oldest friends on two separate trips. It was great to catch up and go on hikes. The first trip included camping with Reamo at Montana de Oro State Park and hiking up to Valencia Peak. The second was camping at Point Mugu State Park with the Seef.
Reamo, at the end of the Earth, Montana De Oro State Park
The Seef, hiking in Sorreno Valley
Then I was able to go to on a hike with Craig Carey, the author of Hiking and Backpacking Santa Barbara and Ventura and several other characters. We had a grand old time exploring the Matilija.
A motley, but effective bunch
We then took a family trip to Zion and Bryce National Parks and had a ton of fun.
Thor's Hammer at Bryce Canyon National Park
Zion Canyon from Angel's Landing
At the Emerald Pools
I was able to go hiking in San Diego, for the first time in a while. I visited one of my favorite areas, Sunshine Mountain, but was completely overcome with ticks.
Eagle Peak from Sunshine Mountain
I was then able to go hiking with SoCal Hiker, East West Hike, @zapplegate, and Josh. We joked it was going to be the most documented hike ever and then bagged 5 peaks in the San Gabriel Mountains.
The view from the trail in San Gabriel Mountains
In the summer, I was able to go to the White Mountains and the Sierra Nevada and visit Chicken Spring Lake, before we got completely rained out.
Heading down White Mountain Peak
Sunset over Mount Whitney from Lone Pine
Fishing for trout in the Middle Fork of Bishop Creek
Over Thanksgiving week, I had a chance to hike Mount Ka'ala again, the highest point on the Island of Oahu. This time, I had a view from the peak.
The view of Makaha Valley and Ka'ala Ridge
Actually a view from the top of Mount Ka'ala, Oahu
In October, I got a special box that led to a trip to Park City I will never forget.
The OmniTen box and invitation
Near the end of the year, we visited San Francisco. Just before we headed back home, I snapped this pic.
One last look at the Golden Gate Bridge before we headed south to home
The rest of the pictures either feature Soph, or are taken by her.
Soph, hiking to the top of Parma Park
Soph, getting ready to carve some turns
Soph, striking a victorious pose at the Cold Spring Trail
A nice picnic near Figueroa Mountain
In flight
Soph at the Forbush Flat Trailhead
Soph and her cousins atop Black Mountain in San Diego
Soph exploring among the flowers atop Reyes Peak
Sunset between Carp and Ventura, taken by Soph from a moving vehicle
Soph's picture from the top of Montecito Peak
Soph, receiving her yellow belt in Tae Kwon Do
Soph, descending stairs at Knapp's Castle
Soph, at Coronado Beach in San Diego
Soph in the water
Enjoying rock climbing
Ascending into the sun
Pointing out San Rafael Mountain from Figueroa Mountain
Soph in Mammoth late 2013
