This month I’ve spent quite a bit of time dabbling in ‘trail dirt’ – as opposed to ‘garden dirt’!
Some of you may remember my goal a couple months ago: to walk 70 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail in this my 70th summer. I’m happy to report it’s done ;-) - with a bonus of an additional 20 miles, as of ten days ago.
A couple weeks ago everything seemed to come together. The forecast promised three days of balmy fall weather before pending storms, the moon was at its fullest/ roundest/ brightest, and my calendar had three consecutive days with nothing written on it. What was missing was a hiking buddy with a similar gap in their calendar.
Three things prompted me to say “Do it anyway!! NOW is the time!!! “
1)
A good friend/ hiking buddy tore her knee ligament while sitting on the living room carpet playing with her little grandson.
2)
A neighbor hurt herself quite badly while getting out of bed.
3)
I read of several cultures where part of the ‘coming of age’ for 15 year olds is to spend three days alone in the wilderness.
So faced with the choice of - a) ignoring the grand-babies and staying in bed or b) trying to grow up – however belatedly - I decided to go on my own –
Carson Pass to Ebbetts Pass, 29 miles , Monday 10 am to Wednesday noon.
It was a most awesome experience! Everyone should do something like this.
Can’t wait for my 71st summer!
And now I have to hustle out and make peace with the plants I have been ignoring. More about them next month ;-)
