June 26th, 2016
"Impossible is just a word thrown around by small men who find it easier to live in the world they've been given than to explore the power they have to change it. Impossible is not a fact. It's an opinion. Impossible is potential. Impossible is temporary. Impossible is nothing." - Muhammed Ali
Today Ricky, a longtime close friend, and I travel to the beautiful and sacred Yosemite valley in Northern California. After over 230 miles of rigorous trekking, we will summit Mount Whitney to pot an exclamation on our adventure. We look forward to meeting wonderful and inspiring people, listening to and observing nature, encountering wildlife, watching the nighttime art in the sky, getting exercise, being challenged by the forces and enjoying lots of granola, lots of granola, lots of granola
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| View of Half Dome from the Yosemite Valley |
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| Vernal Falls in Yosemite National Park |
July 1st
The past handful of days have been full of beautiful nature around every turn. I've noticed how loud nature is, yet it is a much more sensual sound as it is more consistent and filled with songs of birds and animals, the wind and water. This hike is challenging mentally and physically as blisters began forming on our feet day two. There are numerous ups and downs as we climb mountains, hike at our own pace and find incredible camp sites.
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| Ricky and I received our permit from the Tuolomne Ranger Station in Yosemite National Park and we begin our trek! |
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| Ricky leads the way as we begin the John Muir Trail from Tuolmne Meadows in Yosemite National Park. In the distance is Donahue Pass |
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| View from near Donahue Pass on the Eastern Side |
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| The West Side of Donahue Pass |
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| It seemed that every turn we made, there was distinct scenery. After we descended from Donahue Pass, we approached 1000 Island Lake |
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| Our incredible camp site. It seemed that every night we stopped, we said to each other that this is the best campsite ever. |
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| View from 1000 Island Lakes |
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| Things that look like other things. What do you see here? |
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| Wow! |
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| Another amazing campsite on Lake Rosalie. How incredible to swim in these alpine lakes! |
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| Ricky looks on at Devil's Postpile |
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| View of the mountains we passed to the North. This picture is taken a few miles from Red's Meadow Resort |
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| Amazing Views |
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| Lake Virginia is a little over 10,000 feet. We camped here and it was spectacular |
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| Tent view at Lake Virgina |
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| Does it really get better all the time?! Ricky overlooks the Mountains on the Duck Pass Trail |
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| Hi Ho Silver! Silver Pass was one of my favorites |
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| Ricky enjoys Silver Pass |
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| Ricky leads the way en route to Silver Pass Lake |
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There was river crossing daily, yet this was one of the deepest water crossing we had. Thanks to patience, good balance and lucky wind direction, neither of us fell in the water on any crossing.
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| View from Marie Lakes near Selden Pass |
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| One of my favorite pictures of the trek. This photo is take from just below Muir Pass at Wanda Lake. We camped here before summitting Muir Pass at 11,975 feet |
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| View from Muir Pass. The building seen in the photo is a hut built for trekkers that are caught in storms and need shelter. You are able to sleep there and see amazing sunsets and sunrises. |
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| Descending from Muir Pass at Helen Lake |
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| Wow! |
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Ricky and I decided to travel to Humboldt county and visit the Avenue of the Giants. These coastal redwoods are the tallest living organisms on planet earth. This species of redwood live between 500-1500 years and grows as tall as 160 feet.
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Photo of the inside of a redwood tree burl
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