Four years ago I visited Yosemite National Park on a road trip.  I had no idea what to expect and was completely blown away by the immensity and beauty of Yosemite.  John Muir had it right in preserving this masterpiece.  While there, I heard about the Half Dome hike.  I wanted to do it...except that it was 16 miles AND you needed a permit that you can only obtain through a "lottery". Last spring several of my adventure friends applied for hike permits (for sub dome and the ...