Hiking Wapama Falls Trail, Yosemite

We were sore from the previous day's hike to Chilnualna Falls, so we decided to hike a flatter, more relaxing trail.

Inna found an exciting hike to Wapama Falls, starting from Hetch Hetchy Reservoir.

When we woke up, we initially planned to eat breakfast at our new local favorite breakfast spot - Pony Expresso Coffee House & Roasting. However, being Easter Sunday, Pony Expresso was sadly closed! Argh!

We decided to eat at our Best Western Plus hotel, which offered a free - though uninspiring breakfast. I decided to try the scrambled eggs and make a blueberry waffle. The eggs were edible, and the waffles were tolerable. Inna ate a banana with tasteless scrambled eggs. Alex tried (but failed) to cook a waffle. The waffle machine he selected did not have a working timer, so he could not tell when the waffle was fully cooked. He dined on scrambled eggs instead.

Finishing breakfast at around 10:00 a.m., we checked out of our Best Western Hotel and started our long drive to Hetch Hetchy Reservoir. Google Maps predicted a drive of about two hours. 

By the way, AT&T coverage in Yosemite is close to non-existent, so pre-downloading Google Maps of Yosemite is highly recommended. Highway 49 to Hetch Hetchy was extremely twisty (it would have been a lot of fun in a sports car or on a sport bike). I hoped neither Alex nor Inna would get seasick from the constant turning.

On the way there, we stopped in the small, quaint town of Coulterville. We purchased lunch for our upcoming hike in Coulterville's General Store. We ordered burritos for everyone and an extra pack of Oreo cookies for Alex. While we waited, we drank some hot black tea.

Once the burritos were ready, we resumed our drive to Hetch Hetchy. The next road was just as twisty and narrow, with sheer cliffs. The road winded through a fire-ravaged area of Yosemite and passed Camp Tawonga (where Alex camped a few years ago, before the fire).

We arrived at Hetch Hetchy around noon and ate lunch before our hike. The freshly prepared burritos were delicious.

The hike to Wapama Falls started at the Hetch Hetchy reservoir and continued through a tunnel to Tueeulala Falls (the taller of the falls) and then to the more massive Wapama Falls.

The trail started as relatively flat but had many short uphill and downhill sections. It took us about 90 minutes to reach Wapama Falls.

Wapama Falls was awe-inspiring, with clouds of spray coming up over the bridges in front of the falls. When we walked across the bridges, we were completely soaked! Thankfully, our clothes dried out quickly on our return to Hetch Hetchy.

According to Strava, our Wapama Falls hike was 5 miles long and took us two and a half hours to complete.

 

The trail was fun, and we hope to hike it again. The drive back home was long and tedious due to post-holiday traffic to San Jose.

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Hiking Chilnualna Falls Trail, Yosemite

In the morning, we decided to try eating breakfast at our Best Western Plus in Mariposa. However, we were not very impressed when we explored the dining options available. Besides cold cereal and scrambled eggs, there was not much to tempt us to stay.

Instead, we decided to try the Pony Expresso Coffee House, a mile away (still in Mariposa). I selected hot oatmeal with cranberries, while Inna and Alex picked bagels and croissants. The hot green tea was delicious, and Inna was really impressed by the croissant. We also purchased a few items for lunch on our hike, including a vegetarian egg frittata (for me) and a few more bagels for Alex and Inna.

After breakfast, we met with our friends and continued to the Chilnualna Falls trailhead in Wawona (Yosemite National Park). They drove relatively short - about one hour - on Highway 49 and 41.

Once we parked our cars, we put on our hiking shoes and started the long, uphill hike. The hike started on the lower Chilnualna Falls and continued upwards for 3.8 miles to the upper Chilnualna Falls. Along the way, we ran into many hikers (and even a tiny dog).

When we reached the upper Chilnualna Falls, we rested for 15 minutes while eating our lunch. I enjoyed the Egg Frittata while Inna and Alex pounced on their bagels. We were tired from the continuous upward hike.

When it was time to return, we packed our belongings and started the shorter descent. Inna's knee began to hurt, and she had to slow down a few times (when the pain became too intense). She slipped and fell on one of the steeper descents, hurting her right side.

Nevertheless, we made it down to our car in a reasonable time. Strava said our Chilnualna Falls hike was 7.6 miles long with an elevation gain of 2089 feet. It took us 4:15 to complete it.




Since Inna was tired, we visited the Yosemite Valley to take additional photos of the spectacular waterfalls.

Before our drive there, we stopped by a nearby General Store for a Haagen-Daz Green Tea ice cream snack. It was a delicious treat after our long, tiring hike.

We returned to Yosemite Valley in about an hour to take photos of the Valley and the Bridalveil waterfalls.

After taking many photos of waterfalls and the roaming deer, we returned to Mariposa to eat dinner there (as we did not relish eating anywhere in Yosemite Valley).

Completing our return to Mariposa, we stopped by at 1850 Restaurant, which seemed very busy. We added our names to the list and were promised a table in about 40 minutes. We returned to the restaurant at 8:30 and sat at an indoor table.

For appetizers, we decided to share a Bavarian Pretzel. While it did not look like a Bavarian Pretzel (I have eaten Bavarian Pretzels in Munich), it tasted sufficiently close, especially with the mustard provided.

Besides hot tea, we tried a bottle of Sierra Cider's Early Harvest Hard Apple Cider (semi-sweet) for our drinks. It was locally made in Mariposa and tasted refreshingly delicious. I hope to find a bottle in San Jose.

I decided to try the "Salmon Salad" for entrees, as I wanted to eat something relatively light and easy to digest. Inna tried the highly recommended "Seafood Pasta," while Alex selected the "Tri-Tip Steak with Mashed Potatoes."

We enjoyed our dinner, though the entrees were very slow to come (due to a considerable party ahead of us). Our waitress was amiable and offered us a free appetizer and some free Apple Cider for our inconvenience. This was a lovely gesture. I don't recall any other restaurant being so considerate!

After dinner, we returned to our Best Western Plus to prepare for another day of hiking.

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Hiking Mirror Lake Trail, Yosemite

Since my last visit to Yosemite National Park was 6 years ago (in 2013), Inna and I decided to re-visit the park during the off-season (spring) to re-acquaint ourselves with beautiful hikes, spectacular waterfalls, and tall redwoods and pines.

We started our drive from San Jose to Yosemite Valley on Friday, April 19, 2019, at 8:30 am, through Hollister (152 East), encountering very little traffic. Though some roads were poorly paved, we arrived at Half Dome Village in Yosemite Valley around 12:30 pm. It took a while to find parking, as even on a workday in April, Yosemite was quite busy. Eventually, we found an open parking spot near shuttle stop #14.

After eating a minimal breakfast, we decided to eat lunch before our hike. At first, we considered eating pizza at the Half Dome Pizza Patio & Bar. However, the line for pizza was quite long and barely moving. In addition, the pizzas coming out did not look very promising.

We decided to explore other options. A nearby general store sold several ready-to-eat items, and we purchased lunch there. I selected a pre-made Caesar Salad with chicken, a small container of freshly prepared hummus, and cookies. Inna found a pre-made pita sandwich and Kettle chips, while Alex decided to try the frozen pizza pockets (microwaves were available to reheat) with Haagen-Daz pistachio ice cream. We really liked the hummus and the ice cream!

After lunch, we decided to hike the relatively flat Mirror Lake trail. We boarded the Yosemite shuttle at stop #14 (Curry Village Parking) and took it to stop #17 (Mirror Lake Trailhead).

From the trailhead, we decided to join the other lemmings walking on the right side of the trail. Mirror Lake is a popular trail and was heavily trafficked by Yosemite visitors. We encountered lots of people hiking.

It was hot (even though the weather report promised temperatures in the sixties); the temperature reached the high seventies. The hike is meandered by Tenaya Creek, with beautiful views of Half Dome and surrounding cliffs. Unlike last time, we started the hike on the right side of the creek, encountering different parts of the trail. I thought there would be a way to cross to the trail's other side (Northern side), but we never found a dry place to cross over.

A few people were bathing and playing in Tenaya Creek. The actual Mirror Lake was relatively small and shallow. We decided to stop for a short break and enjoy our quick snack of cookies there.

After finishing the hike, we boarded the return shuttle to stop #14 (Curry Village), where we decided to eat dinner at the Half Dome Pizza Patio & Bar.

Alex selected a medium Cheese pizza with pepperoni, while Inna and I shared a medium Buffalo Ranch pizza. We also ordered 3 hot teas. The pizzas were edible but highly overpriced and made quite slowly. I would not recommend eating there again.

The drive back to nearby Mariposa, where we had hotel reservations at Best Western Plus, took some time on the dark, twisty Hwy 140. It took us about one hour. It would have been more convenient to stay closer to Yosemite, but costs would have been much higher (and reservations require much more planning ahead).

Strava said our Mirror Lake hike was 6.3 miles long with an elevation gain of 282 feet. It took us 3:22 to complete it (though we walked past Mirror Lake).

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Rick Newman Tennis Lesson 1: Volleys

Rick Newman's Tennis Lesson 1: Volleys

It's been a while since I've had tennis lessons, and I wanted to resume improving my tennis game. I decided to try tennis lessons with Rick Newman, a coach with much experience.

In my first day's lesson, Rick had me focused on tennis volleys, an area where I was underdeveloped. My volleys had very little control, and I could not consistently hit areas of the court.

Forehand Volley Notes

1. Two volley types:
   a. Blocking (step into the ball with a fixed, non- moving racket hand)
   b. Backspin motion with some wrist
2. Minimal movement
3. Balance on exit
4. Consistency
5. Short movement on the arm
6. Do not stop movement after hitting the ball (need nice follow through)
7. Racket grip is hard (not mushy) but the hand is relaxed (not stiff)

Tennis Serves

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Review: Aladdin at the San Jose Center for the Performing Arts

Although I have seen Aladdin previously at Disney's California Adventure Theme Park, I have never seen the entire production on stage. Since Inna also wanted to see it, I purchased 3 tickets for the Aladdin Touring show at San Jose Center for the Performing Arts.

I would have preferred to have seen the musical on Broadway (since Broadway shows tend to employ more vocally talented and gifted performers). However, this performance of Aladdin wasn't bad at all. Although Aladdin (played by Clinton Greenspan) had no strong voice, Genie (played by Major Attaway) sang with a strong bass/baritone, making the show enjoyable.

The decorations were first-rate and quite spectacular. The special effects, such as the flying carpet, were well done.

The dancing was fine, though not always well-coordinated (as I would have expected from a Disney production). I enjoyed the show but would have liked to have seen the Broadway production version.

National Tour Cast

• Aladdin - Clinton Greenspan
• Genie - Major Attaway
• Princess Jasmine - Lissa Deguzman
• Jafar - Jonathan Weir
• Iago - Jay Paranada
• Sultan - Jarod Vincent
• Omar - Philip Arroyo
• Babkak - Zach Bencal
• Kassim - Jed Feder

Act I The Genie welcomes the audience to the middle-eastern city of Agrabah. He notes that Agrabah is diverse, full of revered nobles, misfits, and even a few villains ("Arabian Nights"). Aladdin is a young man who spends his days stealing food from Agrabah's street vendors and his three best friends, Kassim, Omar, and Babkak ("One Jump Ahead"). After being referred to as a "worthless street rat," Aladdin expresses his dreams of showing the world he's more than just a common urchin ("One Jump Ahead" (Reprise)). He notes his guilt in thievery, having vowed to never steal again after the death of his mother ("Proud of Your Boy"). Meanwhile, in the palace of Agrabah, Princess Jasmine is scolded by her father, the Sultan, for refusing yet another suitor. The Sultan demands that Jasmine marry a noble prince before her birthday, only three days away. Jasmine laments the situation to her handmaidens ("These Palace Walls"). This news also disturbs the Sultan's Grand Vizier, Jafar, who wishes to usurp the throne. He and his assistant, Iago, search for a way to enter the "Cave of Wonders," a mysterious cavern in the desert said to hold untold power. The voice of the cave reveals that only one who is worthy, a "diamond in the rough," may enter. When Jafar asks about the identity of this "diamond in the rough," it is revealed to be Aladdin. Jafar and Iago set out to find him. While entertaining the locals ("Babkak, Omar, Aladdin, Kassim"), Aladdin bumps into Jasmine, who has disguised herself as a commoner to get a sense of life outside the palace. Aladdin has no idea who she is, but he is immediately smitten. After a brief scuffle with the authorities, he takes Jasmine to his hideout, where they each reveal their unhappiness ("A Million Miles Away"). Jasmine is discovered by the authorities and taken back to the palace. Aladdin is ordered to be killed, but he is saved by Jafar and Iago, who lead Aladdin to the Cave of Wonders ("Diamond in the Rough"). Aladdin is grateful for saving his life and honors Jafar's request to enter the cave. Once inside, Aladdin is instructed to bring the magic lamp to Jafar and touch nothing else. Astonished by all the treasure buried within the cave, Aladdin attempts to take some gold coins along with the lamp. The cave angrily seals itself, trapping Aladdin inside. Engulfed in darkness, Aladdin rubs the lamp, which, to his surprise, unleashes a magical Genie who offers to grant him three wishes. Aladdin initially shrugs this off in disbelief, prompting the Genie to display his powers with an impressive musical number ("Friend Like Me"). The Genie then reveals that he has limitations to his powers. He can't grant wishes that include murder, romance, a revival of the dead, or wishing for additional wishes. Amused and overjoyed at his good fortune, Aladdin tricks Genie into magically freeing them from the cave without actually using a wish; after that, Genie states that Aladdin will not receive any more magic help unless he explicitly states, "I wish." Genie muses that he would wish for freedom since he is a prisoner of his lamp. Aladdin promises to free Genie as his last wish. Aladdin decides to use his first wish to become a prince to be legally able to court Jasmine (Act One Finale: "Friend Like Me"/"Proud of Your Boy" (Reprises)). Act II A grand parade storms through the streets of Agrabah, led by Genie, Babkak, Omar, and Kassim. They announce the arrival of "Prince Ali of Ababwa" ("Prince Ali"). Once at the palace, Aladdin, disguised as Prince Ali, expresses his desire to marry Jasmine to the Sultan. Jasmine overhears the conversation and perceives Ali to be just another shallow prince. Jafar, suspicious of Ali, tells him the location of Jasmine's bedroom, not mentioning that it is against Agrabah law for the Princess to have a suitor in her quarters unsupervised. Aladdin courts Jasmine with a ride on the magic carpet provided by Genie ("A Whole New World"). Once they return, Jasmine recognizes Aladdin as the man she met in the marketplace. Aladdin lies and says he really is a prince; he just sometimes likes to dress as a commoner to escape the pressures of palace living, much like Jasmine did that day. Jasmine kisses Aladdin good night because he isn't shallow and self-absorbed like the others. After she leaves, Jafar has Aladdin arrested for entering the Princess's room unsupervised. Upon hearing the news, Babkak, Omar, and Kassim storm the palace to rescue their friend ("High Adventure"). They are captured and thrown into the dungeon, but with Genie's help, Aladdin uses his second wish to free them ("Somebody's Got Your Back"). The Sultan greets Aladdin in the hall and gives him his blessing to marry Jasmine, meaning that Aladdin will inherit the throne as the new Sultan one day. Fearful of this great responsibility, he tells Genie he will save his third wish for a day he may need it rather than use it to free Genie as promised. Distraught, Genie returns to his lamp and refuses to speak to Aladdin. Aladdin laments ("Proud of Your Boy" (Reprise II)). Meanwhile, Jafar and Iago steal the lamp Aladdin carelessly discarded. As the Sultan announces to the public that Jasmine is to wed Prince Ali ("Prince Ali" (Sultan Reprise)), Jafar appears and reveals Ali to be merely a common street rat named Aladdin, whom the former then threatens to send to "the end of the road" if no one changes the latter's personality to meet his standards ("Prince Ali" (Jafar Reprise)). Genie then enters with Jasmine in chains, saying that Jafar is now his master and that his first wish was to make Jasmine his prisoner. Jafar uses his second wish to crown himself Sultan, which Genie reluctantly grants. Remembering what Genie told him earlier about the limitations of his powers, Aladdin tricks Jafar into wishing for himself to become a genie so that his power will be unmatched. Genie grants Jafar's wish, and Jafar is sucked into the lamp, bound to it for eternity. Aladdin uses his third and final wish to set Genie free. He then admits to Jasmine that he loves her but cannot pretend to be someone he's not. Seeing the nobility in Aladdin, the Sultan decrees that henceforth, the Princess can marry whomever she pleases. Babkak, Omar, and Kassim are made royal advisors, while Iago is arrested. Aladdin and Jasmine are married, and Genie prepares for a long-awaited vacation. All ends well as Aladdin and Jasmine board the magic carpet and take flight (Finale Ultimo: "Arabian Nights"/"A Whole New World" (Reprises)). Musical Numbers Act I "Overture" "Arabian Nights" (Ashman/Rice***) – Genie & Company "One Jump Ahead" (Rice) – Aladdin & Ensemble "One Jump Ahead (Reprise)" (Rice) – Aladdin "Proud of Your Boy" (Ashman*) – Aladdin "These Palace Walls" (Beguelin**) – Jasmine, Attendants "Babkak, Omar, Aladdin, Kassim" (Ashman*) – Babkak, Omar, Aladdin, Kassim, Ensemble "A Million Miles Away" (Beguelin**) – Aladdin & Jasmine "Diamond in the Rough" (Beguelin**) – Jafar, Iago, Aladdin "Friend Like Me" (Ashman) – Genie, Aladdin, Ensemble Act One Finale (A Whole New World (Reprise) (Ashman)/Proud of Your Boy (Reprise I))  Act II "Prince Ali" (Ashman) – Genie, Babkak, Omar, Kassim, Ensemble "A Whole New World" (Rice) – Aladdin, Jasmine "High Adventure" (Ashman*) – Babkak, Omar, Kassim, Ensemble "Somebody's Got Your Back" (Beguelin**) – Aladdin, Genie, Babkak, Omar, & Kassim "Proud of Your Boy (Reprise II)" (Ashman) – Aladdin "Prince Ali (Sultan Reprise)" (Beguelin**) – Sultan & Company "Prince Ali (Jafar Reprise)" (Rice) – Jafar Finale Ultimo ("Arabian Nights (Reprise)" (Ashman/Beguelin*) / "A Whole New World (Reprise)" (Rice)) – Company Bows ("A Whole New World (Reprise II)") (Ashman) – Company

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Biking Almaden Quicksilver County Park

After many weeks of constant rains, it was finally time to mountain bike in my favorite local Almaden Quicksilver County Park.

 

 

The whole park was as green as I've ever seen it. Here is my Strava.com feedback:

I recorded my bike ride using the GoPro Hero7 Black with stabilization turned on and mounted on the handlebars. Here is a link to the high-definition video.



It was fun, but video stabilization works better with GoPro mounted on my helmet.

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