The legend of Horsetail Fall

This blog post is about our Horsetail Fall adventure. Angela, Erika, And I went to Yosemite this last weekend with a mission in our hearts. That mission was to photograph something many only dream of seeing. For two weeks in February and if the weather conditions are just right, the setting sun illuminates the waterfall, making it glow orange and red. This natural phenomenon is often referred to as the "Firefall".

We packed up and left early Saturday morning and took the State Route 99. It was so green with flowers everywhere. Most of the almond trees were in bloom. We really felt like we were driving though Switzerland or some lush far off land. We really were not expecting a spectacle before we arrived in Yosemite Valley. This was truly a trip that exceeded expectations at every corner.

For those that don't know about Yosemite National Park it is within California’s Sierra Nevada Mountains. It’s famed for its giant, ancient sequoias, and for Tunnel View, the iconic vista of towering Bridalveil Fall and the granite cliffs of El Capitan and Half Dome. In Yosemite Village are shops, restaurants, the Yosemite Museum and the Ansel Adams Gallery.

We however had one main goal in mind, the Firefall! So when we arrived in the valley we went straight there. We arrived 4 hours before sunset and there were already photographers from all around set up to try their hands at a perfect shot of the falls. We laid out our picnic blanket and set our cameras on our tripods as the anticipation set in. Clouds started rolling in and fear that our goal was unattainable rolled in with it. However just as the sun was in position the clouds dispersed and the magic of the falls shown though.

Photo credit Angela Needham

It's amazing how perfect everything was from being so blessed with traveling with my gorgeous wife and an amazing friend like Erika, to the luck of being at the right place at the right time for a truly majestic sight so few get to witness. But our trip was not done yet we checked into our cabin and went out for some night photography in the park.

Photo credit Angela Needham

Our Perfect Disney Valentines Day.

Photo credit Angela Needham from our room balcony.

I am always looking for things to prove to my wife that I'm madly and deeply in love her and that she's the most important ever. That said, we did Disneyland the right way this weekend. I can't imagine anyone being able to have a better experience than we did. If I could give her the best thing I could think of... It would be this trip again.

The paramount thing in my life is spending time with my wife. I treasure every second I get with her. When I'm with my wife I'm happier and better for it. So it works out that this happens every day! We wake up together, go to work together, and talk about our day together. I take care of her and she takes care of me in return. We use endearments, have special jokes, and reminisce about special memories. In a way we have created our own magical world of romantic closeness.

First for Valentine's Day we checked in to our park view suite at the Disneyland Grand Californian Hotel and Spa. The view from our room was amazing only second to how truly breathtaking Angela is as she puts on her red lips, black eyeliner, black and red dress and her black and red sparkly Mickey ears.

Angela and I go to Disneyland quite a bit and have even had hotels nearby but none of them even come close to the convenience of being a few steps away from the action. That we could go back and take a shower midday like it was no big deal was an invaluable experience. It was also fun to people watch people in the park from our room. But what was really the crowning achievement that this hotel had to offer us was...

We had reservations at the Rainforest Cafe but with a private balcony with a wonderful view of the World of Color presentation, we decided it would be much better to have room service and eat on our balcony. The food was exquisite, the view was divine, and the company was second to none.

The next day I took Angela over to ticketing, tears filled her eyes when I bought us two Signature passes for another full year of Disney. Our old passes where set to run out that day and she was coming to terms with taking a break from Disneyland. Even she didn't know how happy it would make her to have our passes renewed. We can't wait for our new Disney adventures to come.

Useless

A clean home and a clean mind.

Angela and I have been run ragged trying to get everything done. Angela and I have been really busy working and trading off being sick. We finally got our butts in gear did our taxes and on Saturday cleaned our apartment (which is now a certifiable mess again.) We have amazing Valentine's Day plans that will be something special; and something we've needed for a while. So I'd read my next blog if I were you.

As for what we've been up to, we bought a high resolution photo scanner and have started archiving our lives. Even though it is a top of the line scanner it still takes time to scan each photo into the computer so we will do other things and when ones done we will switch it out for another. One thing's for sure; Angela was always such a cutie!! :3

I love that I never feel let down. Angela is always there for me. We realize that each other are our highest priority. It makes me so happy to never have to feel unimportant or useless.

It's like the story of the starfish.

We always know even though we can't help everyone or sometimes we can't do much of anything we are making a difference in each other's lives by simply loving each other.

Grand Canyon Girls Trip

We got to spend four whole days with our amazing friend Ashley! The first night was New Year's Eve so we stayed in Phoenix and went to the New Year's Eve event at Dave and Busters. For those of you that don't know, it's a big arcade for adults. When we arrived there was a line to get in the door. We met a few people and the camaraderie that comes with a mutual experience ensued. Being social with strangers is really hit or miss so we had code signs to get out of certain situations and code names for creepers that just couldn't take a hint. Our favorite code name was about a guy wearing a leather vest turned out to be pretty elaborate. We also got enough tickets for us to each get a cute little stuffed animal.

So many inside jokes were crafted, so many selfies were had. Whether it was handing our phone to someone else, jumping in for a snapshot or using Angela's full frame camera, every photograph was a lot of fun! Before we knew it we had stayed up all night slap happy, talking about nothing and everything all at once and giggling non-stop. It's amazing to know we can just look at each other and know what the other is thinking and then start laughing all over again.

The next morning came and we had not slept a wink. Our hotel had a continental breakfast so we went down and ate. It was actually really good! We took a nap and we were on our way again. First place we stopped was on my bucket list, Winslow, Arizona. We got to stand on the corner as mentioned in the song "Take It Easy" by the Eagles. We talked about maybe taking the whole Route 66 Highway one day. Just being at the highway was magical for Ashley because it was in the movie Cars and she LOVES DISNEY!

For most of the rest of the trip we drove around the Grand Canyon looking at the sites and listening to incredible music. My favorite part of the trip was how chill everyone was about everything. No one cared what we did even if it was just vegging out, we just enjoyed being together. Best friends are always down to be just be spontaneous. It is during these trips while shoving pizza in our mouths, snuggling, and trying to binge watch Netflix we discover how close we really are. The memories we make on our girls trips will last forever.

Star Wars (No Spoilers)

Along with Disney we have always been big Star Wars fans. It is fitting that Disney has bought the rights to the Star Wars franchise. Angela and I (as most of our friends know because we've told them so much) own The original Star Wars Episodes 4-6 on Laser Disk. Something people don't realize is the Digital copies for the making of the laser disks are the best and Only digital copies of the original film. The later released "original cut" DVDs were made using that same digital image ported at a lower resolution.

Whether or not that last paragraph read like it was written in Greek you understand how much of dorks Angela and I can be and how excited we were that there was a possibility for new good Star Wars. Without giving anything away it was as good as we could have hoped. I think the best review of the movie I have read was from our friend Hannah,

"Of Star Wars VII:
-Much was very satisfying.
-Some was very annoying.

Is it still worth seeing:
-IT'S STAR WARS YOU IDIOT, GO SEE IT".

I may update this post later after everyone has seen the movie to give our thoughts on it.

Beauty and the Beast at the Pantages!

When I was a kid my mom was a reporter for the LA Times. Sometimes she would get extra tickets for her family. One such time was when I got to go and see Beauty and the Beast at the Civic Arts Plaza. It was an amazing time and one of my favorite childhood memories. Angela and I are Disney obsessed... OK I said it, obsessed! We love everything Disney we can get our hands on; it's kind of our thing. So naturally I've wanted to share this childhood memory with her.

A few months ago I found out that that same production would be coming to the Pantages theater. There are no words to describe the historic Hollywood theater, it's just magical. The show was spectacular, as I would expect from any good touring show. The theater itself was phenomenal. The decor is absolutely beautiful and the carvings along the wall/proscenium were quite intricate. The theater is reminiscent of grandiose days gone by and this feeling really hits you once you walk through the doors. It's definitely a place to experience for live productions.

The play itself was everything I remembered and more. Angela and I had a fun time laughing at Gaston. He did a very well at playing the narcissistic muscle head in such a way that you hated and loved him at the same time.

Angela's and I had a magnificent Disney date. We love that we can do things that both of us enjoy so much. It's nice to dress up and get out on the town. The whole way home we shared passionately our opinions. I love that with Angela my mind can be energized by art that we can express and communicate so well.

Thanksgiving Weekend Road Trip

Angela and I went on one of our most fun road trips yet this past weekend! We didn't know we could have Friday off from work until Wednesday. Having 4 days off in a row is unheard of for us and we knew we had to take this moment for all its worth.  But where to go?! As most know Thanksgiving weekend is one of the worst times to travel because everyone floods onto the road and crazy traffic ensues.

I served a two year LDS mission in Idaho a few years ago and made lifelong friends. Since then, thanks to social media, Angela has been able to make long distance friends as well. However they live in Idaho...This golden opportunity presented itself when we realized freeways 14, 80, and 95 cut straight to where we wanted to be without going to populated places other people wanted to be, like Vegas. We contacted our friends in Idaho and they seemed very happy to see us; so off we went.

We were right! Our trip there was 13 hours with no traffic whatsoever! One thing that never occurred to me before was everywhere we went other than where we're from was around 20 degrees. I don't know why I assumed the temperature would raise and fall more drastically however it did get down to 5 degrees at one point. Just for reference its 65.5 degrees here and I can hear someone complaining how cold it is a few feet from me...

We stayed at a hotel in Ontario, Oregon Thursday night where they had an indoor swimming pool and spa. Also it was so much fun to do our Black Friday shopping where there was no sales tax! But the real fun began when we arrived at our friend's house. What an amazing family! Melissa may be the best mom I have ever met and I do not say that lightly. We love her family to pieces and wish we could live closer to them. I admit to having a little social anxiety before we arrived but once we got there we felt so welcome it melted away.

They had me read "The Book With no Pictures" to the kids, which was a lot of fun. The youngest kid, Lydia kept running up to Angela giving her big hugs! We talked about anything and everything it was so comfortable for me to pick up where I left off and they were so good at making Angela and I feel like part of the family. They are so adorable when we woke up the next morning they even brought us breakfast in bed!

Peter and Lucas love to play video games on the computer and Wii. I was able to talk to them about this just long enough to find out that they like to play Steam games. We should find out their steam names so we can play together one day. On our way out Lydia gave Angela a friendship bracelet she made and Whitney waved us goodbye as we drove away. Angela and I love to just get up and go places. I am so thankful for this because it provides us opportunity to see such amazing people. This last weekend we drove 2,300 miles for a total of 36 hours of driving time. As you can tell Angela got some wonderful photos as well. We are so glad we went and would not trade our experience for anything!