In the Room

 

Here is the view . . .for the next 14 days.  While we were a bit shocked and surprised at the very small rooms, we did hear some good things from the WhatsApp group that is part of this cohort, including Jeff Bloyer - who says it is fine.  Further, people who paid for deluxe are having problems controlling air con, not having views (our windows are certainly nice - in our room, anyways), and having spotty wifi.  Certainly the wifi is excellent - and the Golds stayed here last year when they arrived, so there are things to be thankful for.

Here is where Doug is doing most of his work and preparation for the Zoom meetings.

Entering Quarantine

Wild to be arriving in KL, get our obligatory covid tests. . . and then waiting for the quarantine bus to take us to the quarantine hotel.  We ended up going with the standard set-up, and did call from the airport to request and desperately hope we could get adjoining rooms.

All of the quarantine regulations before the weird. . .and wild thought of spending 14 straight days inside a single hotel room.  Compounding the angst, it is this instead of being on a backpack trip to scatter dad's ashes.  

On the very, very bright side, we're grateful to have good jobs!
 

Last Glimpses of Freedom

 Let's just saw there were some enormous challenges with our trip back.  We discovered - that with quite a few flight changes given the challenges of the aviation world, that we were re-reouted with Delta through to Paris, where we had a transfer to Etihad Airlines. 

It was a bit of a shocker to arrive at the airport and find that there was no luggage agreement between the airlines, meaning we would have to leave the airport, collect our luggage and then re-check in.  This was pretty wild.  Thankfully, France had changed their regulations soon enough to allow us to clear (and re-enter) immigration with clear proof of vaccination.  

When we got to the Etihad counter, we also faced some new surprises - as the gate attendant had challenges checking our luggage - trying to put them all on one of our tickets, rather than one each - which meant an escalating cost that ran to nearly 1000 dollars.  Thankfully, after way too much time, another agent realized you could put a luggage on each passenger (duh), which still resulted in a hefty bill. 

It was wild having not just whole seats, but whole rows to ourselves on the flight from Abu Dhabi to Kuala Lumpur (after the connection from Paris).  Wild travel experiences.

*Note & update: Huge credit to Delta's impressive customer service- as they reimbursed us for the costs of the extra luggage given it was a Delta agent who changed our flight to the new connection after several flight cancellations.  Challenging times to be travelling and managing worldwide connections with changing covid regulations, so hats off to Delta's impressive support.

Return Flight

 It was time to depart to KL.  Sure wish that we could somehow change the world and not have the crazy whiplash of the freedom of the US to the quarantine and restrictions of Malaysia.  Sigh. 

Together

Wonderful to be together.

Some fun group shots before the return trip.

 

Cedar Point

 Not entirely sure this is the exact date, but Reeve and his friends came to Maumee before spending a day at Cedar Point.  Thankfully, Zion, Reeve, Nitin and their other friend from South Korea also took Gabi and Rania as part of the fun day at the park. 

Moon & Telescope View

 

We got out the telescope and Rania got a few pictures with her phone through the viewfinder.  It is a full-moon, though can be tricky to get the focus without cutting out part of the full moon. 

Return Flight

 After a truly wonderful time in California, it was time to head back to Ohio for our final days before the Malaysia return. 

Morning (and Evening)

 A picture of our beautiful 'home' from this morning...

. . .and from last night.

Mt. Goddard Sighting

 When driving back along the ridge, we had a chance to stop at a viewpoint and see, far in the distance, Mt. Goddard, the location of our epic 2000 backpacking trip. 

The three who were part of the trip to Mt. Goddard two-plus decades ago.

Largest Tree in the World

 What an opportunity to get and visit the General Sherman, the largest tree in the world, and the Giant Sequoia grove.  Indeed, there are some insane giants in that area. 

Mom shared stories of when I visited this when I was very young - and some older pictures that must be archived somewhere. 

So great to get to return with some of our family to get to see such a beautiful sight.

 

Moro Rock

 On the way back down from Crescent Meadow, we stopped at Moro Rock and some of us (mom decided not to) made our way to the top of Moro Rock.  It was a short walk, though a reminder of how much more nervous I am of heights, especially around my kids.  Woa - that is a bit disconcerting. 

Nevertheless, it is a stunning view overlooking the entire valley. 

High Sierra Trail

 We took Mark and Marta's rental car up to the Crescent Meadow departure point of the High Sierra Trail and were able to find a parking place - moving it closer as things cleared out a bit in the afternoon.  Key tip we later learned: during weekends, no way to get up there - just with the shuttle bus - so we enjoyed getting to be able to park at the trailhead and walk a ways up the trail. 

What a legendary trail. Memories from 1985 and our epic trip.

Some nice views walking through the trees before making it to Eagle Point as part of a short hike.

Spectacular views . . .and wild to not have any snow on top of the mountains and it is still in July. Sure makes us much more aware of the extended drought in the Sierras.