a pouch of freeze dried chili-mac, a tiny propane stove, a headlamp, a compass, trail mix, the 45 year old lightweight coffee pot, a tent — these items say it all... somebody is seeking out an adventure. back in mid-august, chuck assembled and packed up a bunch of great gear for a big multi-night trip out to the sierra nevada mountains. there was a lot of preparation on those pre-trip weekends which was very interesting and exciting for all three of us. margaret loved testing the new one person tent, we watched chuck carefully fit & adjust his pack straps, searched youtube for bear videos in yosemite and all helped test out his trail snacks and meals. while it was a trip chuck would be making with some longtime friends, we all got involved in one way or another before and during the time in which he was gone...
chuck and i had made a similar hike close to ten years ago together, but this year's journey was different, it was much more about the extended backcountry experience. so while chuck was making his way through the wilderness, along the planned out route towards the peak of half dome, back at home margaret and i went about our regular summer pace — including extra swimming and reading time (for margaret) and lots of extra knitting time (for me!!) but with some extra attention payed to our own copy of the topographical map. we could simply follow along as chuck trekked his way on this new route, passed lakes and valleys to the iconic california peak. when the map wasn't enough for our curiosity, there was the modern day web cam that we could check out on the day of their ascent (if only there was the capability to zoom!!):
of course he made it through and back home safe and sound. arriving home last thursday with many great tales to tell about his friends, the mountains and the bears. he greeted us with some hugs and mementos for margaret (and sadly we greeted him with news that a hurricane was headed our way) welcome home, huh?
with all that passed this past week, we're just now sorting through videos and photos sent along by friends (and enjoying the recently cleared, gear-free space on the living room floor...) we're all very inspired from chuck's adventure to get back out there, somewhere magnificent, together. but for now, as the crickets of september chirp outside the open windows, the quiet time of right here, right now seems just perfect too.
