On the last weekend in July, the extended Pierce Family gathered at David Pierce's cabin in Sugar Pine, adjacent to Yosemite National Park, in memory of Melvin John Pierce, Jr., who died four months earlier.

On Friday evening, the early arrivals gathered at the cabin and headed out to Bass Lake in two cars for a extraordinary evening of dining (all courtesy of Richard Pierce!). Unfortunately, Shari Case forgot to bring her camera, so there are no photos to remember this grand event...but we dined for almost four hours at a spectacular restaurant overlooking the lake.

The next day, Jim Halloran and Shari Case drove into the Park for some sightseeing. Below is the famous first view of the Valley from the turnout at the end of the tunnel.

In high summer, there is relatively little water falling over Bridal Veil Falls...like a mist, it tumbles over the top.

Jim and Shari climbed to the base of Bridal Veil Falls.

Shari sat for a moment among the rocks at the base of the Falls gazing up at the sheer granite walls.

Jim and Shari stopped at the Ahwahnee Lodge for lunch--they had celebrated two wedding anniversaries at the Lodge, and couldn't pass up the opportunity to have a small celebration on their own.