Sassy Spaniards Sure Know How to Pick 'em..

After we got married last year, Kei and I spent several weeks on an island called Malapascua in the Philippines (where Kei became a divemaster and I an instructor) - an island named by Spaniards in the 16th century who got caught here on Christmas day and called the island "Bad Easter" as a lamentation for having to be away from their families on the holiday (not clear why they picked on Easter instead of Navidad, but you just never can tell with those 16th century Spaniards, after all...) I digress.

We continued on our beautiful-places-bestowed-with-cursed-names-by-sassy-Spaniards tour as we embarked on our FIRST (and long overdue) camping trip in the Bay area at Mt. Diablo - thus named because in the 19th century, several Native Americans escaped from their Spanish captors to this peak, leading the Spaniards to call it "Monte del Diablo," which means "thicket of the devil." This sounded to the *cough cough* linguistically savvy English speakers so much like "Mount," that it was widely misinterpreted, and ultimately the name "Mt. Diablo" stuck.

Am I the only one who loves these stories?

Well, if that's the case and you're already scrolling for pictures, this state park will still not disappoint - because it boasts some seriously stunning geologic masterpieces, jaw-dropping views, and phenomenal campsites at Juniper Campground. Seriously.

Kei snapped a few secret pictures of his beautiful.... 

...binoculars.  These were his prize possession throughout this hike - and rightfully so!  Thanks Santa!

And on the drive, I played Nat Geo photographer once again and snuck up on a flock of vultures: yeek!

Never ones to miss the opportunity to climb up on rocks that - while super easy by rock-climbers' standards - make us feel badass and adventurous...

What else to do on top of the world?  

YOGA!

And back at camp... LOVVVVVING our new gear on its maiden voyage:

And the site itself... not too shabby!

A gorgeous sunset from our amazing site (#13 for future reference!)...

And characteristically, we also snuck in a few brewskies to enjoy after the sun went down (don't tell!)