1998 Photo Highlights

Among other places in and near California, this year we spent lots of time visiting friends and family in Tahoe, Sacramento, and Fresno (it's not as hot as the desert!). In June, we attended Gran and Grandpa Briese's surprise 60th wedding anniversary celebration. In July, we hiked in Yosemite and saw the spectacular waterfalls.

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Costa Mesa, California — Leo and Peggy Briese were married June 26, 1938 at St. Helen's Church in South Gate, Los Angeles County. Sixty years later, they still hold hands, and you'll often catch Gran sitting in Grandpa's lap! This anniversary party was a complete surprise to them, which made it even more fun for the family.

Costa Mesa, California — Four generations of Scott's maternal family: standing in back are siblings Lynette Berk, Scott Williams, and Laura Drew; seated are Peggy and Leo Briese with their daughter Barbara Briese. The charmer in the yellow dress is Rose Lynn Drew; the handsome guy sitting on the floor is Nicholas Berk.

Fresno, CA — Our friends Jim and Clelline Talley took us to Woodward Park Japanese Garden, which has a wonderful koi fish pond. The entire park is filled with great hiking paths and picnic sites, but the Japanese Garden was our favorite place. And since Fresno is known mostly for its agriculture, it was a plesant surprise to find this peaceful, exotic haven.

Yosemite, CA — Bridalveil Fall. Thanks to this winter's heavy snow and rainfall caused by El Niño, Yosemite's waterfalls were spectacular this summer. We didn't just see Bridalveil Fall, we experienced it — we were drenched by the mist way before we got to the lookout point.

Yosemite, CA — The photo shows four hikers (look for the white and red "specks") on the path to Vernal Falls. Click on the thumbnail to see the larger photo, then try to find the hikers again; it will give you a better perspective of the size of the waterfalls.

Yosemite, CA — Walking alongside Vernal Falls. Looks like a short jump into the water, but it isn't — the pathway is actually about 30 feet above the water level. And the path has no "guard rails" to keep you from slipping, so it's important to watch your step and have good hiking shoes.

Yosemite, CA — Yosemite's Vernal Falls with rainbow. The thumbnail photo shows two hikers standing at the top of the falls. Click on the thumbnail to see the larger photo, then try to find the hikers again; it will give you a better perspective of the size of the waterfalls.

Yosemite, CA — Dusk at Vernal Falls.

Yosemite, CA — A rattlesnake at "Happy Isles", the trailhead to Vernal Falls. The rattle is at the bottom of the the photo, the head is at the top; and no, the park staff were not interested in catching it — they just reminded us that "we are in their territory, so of course there will be snakes."

1998 highlights
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1999 highlights

Thumbnail (click to view larger image)	Photo description and comments
	Costa Mesa, California — Leo and Peggy Briese were married June 26, 1938 at St. Helen's Church in South Gate, Los Angeles County. Sixty years later, they still hold hands, and you'll often catch Gran sitting in Grandpa's lap! This anniversary party was a complete surprise to them, which made it even more fun for the family.
	Costa Mesa, California — Four generations of Scott's maternal family: standing in back are siblings Lynette Berk, Scott Williams, and Laura Drew; seated are Peggy and Leo Briese with their daughter Barbara Briese. The charmer in the yellow dress is Rose Lynn Drew; the handsome guy sitting on the floor is Nicholas Berk.
	Fresno, CA — Our friends Jim and Clelline Talley took us to Woodward Park Japanese Garden, which has a wonderful koi fish pond. The entire park is filled with great hiking paths and picnic sites, but the Japanese Garden was our favorite place. And since Fresno is known mostly for its agriculture, it was a plesant surprise to find this peaceful, exotic haven.
	Yosemite, CA — Bridalveil Fall. Thanks to this winter's heavy snow and rainfall caused by El Niño, Yosemite's waterfalls were spectacular this summer. We didn't just see Bridalveil Fall, we experienced it — we were drenched by the mist way before we got to the lookout point.
	Yosemite, CA — The photo shows four hikers (look for the white and red "specks") on the path to Vernal Falls. Click on the thumbnail to see the larger photo, then try to find the hikers again; it will give you a better perspective of the size of the waterfalls.
	Yosemite, CA — Walking alongside Vernal Falls. Looks like a short jump into the water, but it isn't — the pathway is actually about 30 feet above the water level. And the path has no "guard rails" to keep you from slipping, so it's important to watch your step and have good hiking shoes.
	Yosemite, CA — Yosemite's Vernal Falls with rainbow. The thumbnail photo shows two hikers standing at the top of the falls. Click on the thumbnail to see the larger photo, then try to find the hikers again; it will give you a better perspective of the size of the waterfalls.
	Yosemite, CA — Dusk at Vernal Falls.
	Yosemite, CA — A rattlesnake at "Happy Isles", the trailhead to Vernal Falls. The rattle is at the bottom of the the photo, the head is at the top; and no, the park staff were not interested in catching it — they just reminded us that "we are in their territory, so of course there will be snakes."