And it begins...

High Sierra Camp...here we come!

Starting point... May Lake! Heading to Glen Aulin Camp.

Heavy pack! Uphill heartbeat in my head. Thump....thump...THUMP! Backpack too small, digging into my left shoulder. Ouch. Quick dry towel as padding to the rescue.  But I am distracted by the amazing, craggly trails and views that display the top of the world meadows filled with lupines, asters, forget-me-nots, pestamon, columbine, and Tiger Lilies.

Exhausted. An uneven backpack. But the hiking is meditative, quiet and my footsteps, 26,000 of them, equal 9.5 miles as we reach Glen Aulin Camp. And it feels good to push ourselves until there is nothing left. We hike past the high sierra camp into the backpacker's camp...walking with nothing left to give. I barely make it up the boulders to our campsite. Fall over, like turtle onto his shell, as a group of teen boys hop up boulders like they carry no weight on their backs. But I push on...

We make our camp and enjoy a yummy dinner at sunset on a rocky boulders.

And then cozy in the tent, sleep, and ready to do it again!

Blessings of Tuolumne

Stellar's jay morning, squawking to the rising sun. Out of tent and dive into hot cocoa in tea. Talk of stories in the early morning sun that slowly warms the mountains. Everyday a view of the breathtaking Lembert Dome and sprinkles of the rushing Tuolumne River. Two friends sketching by the water, capturing in color what's in their heart. Tubing. Catch and releasing baby trout. Two friends laughing and reminiscing, basking in their love for Tuolumne Meadows.

A perfect place then and now.

An ascent to Gaylor Lake. Alpine drops, deep basins of granite and shale, spongy grass and a few seagulls soaring over the water, and in the reflection, he floats on the grayish, blue ripples. Collecting butterfly wings and wildflowers-- Indian Paintbrush, Alpine Daisies and Ranger Buttons. Surrounded by an army of peaks. A bounty of beauty. 

Push hard up to Hoffman, sun baked and tired. Lessons of overcoming obstacles. Believing you can do more than you think. Marmot, marmots, everywhere! The view is a payoff, as you become a fleck of dust in such a vast universe. Jingle with the ghost of a tambourin on the descent. 

Tuolumne Meadows at sunset after a mountain rain. Golden glow sparks into pink and orange and purple. Following deer and stars. Breathing it all in. Enough to chill my soul with dazzling blessings of being a live.

I am blessed with a life-long friend and the love we share for this place.

Thank you again, Tuolumne Meadows.