Half Dome - 19 Hours Later - We did it! (Part 3)

You may remember from the last blog that Kansas joined our group and with Half Dome in sight, I stood evaluating the situation with my knee. We had to go down before we climbed up the other side to Half Dome. Not only was my knee painful, I knew that I had to also make it back and so with some sadness and disappointment, I chose not to continue. But I did wonder, was any of this caused by fear? After all, Half Dome is a BIG mountain! And I had to wonder, "Was I afraid of other BIG mountains in my life?"

Skellings Michael in Ireland

"But what about hiking Skellings Michael in Ireland?" I began rationalizing with myself. "Doesn't that count for any accomplishment? I know, it's just a large bump of land in the middle of the ocean but it also had a billon stairs and no trees or railings to the top. Okay, Skelligs is only 714 feet abouve sea level and there are only 618 steps not a billon, and it was only 7 miles through what can be rough waters. But you did it even though all your Irish friends said, 'You can't go! It's too dangerous!' You courageously rode the small boat out through the choppy waters and hiked fearlessly to the top. How much scarier could Half Dome be? So could it be fear? I don't think so. It's my knee! It's honoring what my body is telling me without any judgments. Now that's the harder journey!"

More meds for my knee and the group was off and I was left to deal with my hurt pride.  However, a real rest and not feeling the pressure of having to keep up, felt nice. After a bit, all the meds began to make my knee less painful and I said to myself, "Self, you're not stopping here... you're going to go as far as you can go... this time." And so I hiked down the hill and up on the other side to the bottom of Sub Dome. After listening to my story, the ranger, who was checking for permits, said to me, "You can't hike Sub Dome with your knee... it's all stairs!" And of course, I had given my spot away, so there you have it... Divine Order!

My gal pals were having their own adventure. They climbed up the stairs at Sub Dome, then across to Half Dome and pulled themselves upward with the cables. Kansas, took the sweepers position in the group and followed everyone to the top. Exhausted, GI Jane felt like she couldn't go up or down and it was our little angel, Kansas who encouraged and coached her all the way to the top and back down again! Yes, literally... I believe that he was an angel, who arrived just at the time that this weary group of women needed to be supported by masculine energy.

GI Jane was taking the picture!

While waiting, I got what I needed.... rest in nature and solitude. I was able to talk with the people we had met on the trail all day long and privileged to hear their stories of triumph. I became the After Half Dome - designated picture taker. But most importantly, I felt like by my honoring my body, everyone got exactly what they needed! Kansas was beyond grateful for his experience, which was apparent from his hug and GI Jane had a victory that most likely wouldn't have been possible without Kansas! And me, I got to experience God in nature.

With the wise experience of GI Jane and her water purifier, we all made it back to the valley floor with my whining the entire way! The John Muir Trail... the trail never ending trail from hell! Switch back after switch back with no sign of noticeable progress descending. Eventually... 9PM we (me) hobbled back to our cars and I couldn't help but remember that we began this adventure at 3:30AM and it would be 10:30PM when we returned. 19Hours!

Are you kidding me? Who takes that long to he Half Dome? WE DID! Six courageous woman and one angel, all with our own individual experiences that we will never forget. And it is with awe and gratitude that I bow before each and every one for allowing me the honor of this sacred journey together.

And although I was ranting and raving the entire 8 miles DOWN, "I'm never doing this again.... blah, blah, blah.... " we had been taking ibuprofen during the hike, to help curb muscle swelling, so in the morning, we were all feeling pretty good. And as I popped up out of bed I exclaimed,  "OK... how can we make that better next time?"

Happy Trails...

Hike to Half Dome (Part 2) Kansas, New Energy!

In my last blog, we left off where my gallon of water and food in my backpack were weighing me down and I was falling behind the group while climbing the billon steps to Half Dome. My little Sherpa Angel (my daughter) helped by carrying my pack on her front and her pack on her back part of the way. As a mom, it felt a bit out of order (ego), but as women on a journey together, I felt supported.

We continued the trek… the hares and the tortoise. While my gal pals seemed to sprint and then rest and refuel... I couldn't. So after getting my ego in check... again, I honored what my body was feeling. We continued to pass each other on the trail until about a mile or so from Sub Dome, when even the hares seemed to loose steam.

Then a miracle… We met Kansas. He was traveling alone and had hiked to Sub Dome but couldn't climb Half Dome because he didn't have a permit. My left knee (ego and pride) began hurting ALOT. Getting to the top was one thing, but I knew I had to hike the 8 miles back down. From the beginning, I was never sure that I was going to climb to the top of Half Dome, but on the other hand, I wasn't sure that I wasn't. I had no expectations. My reason for saying yes to the adventure had a little different flair than most. And I knew it from the first moment I set my foot upon the path in the very beginning.

There was alot of time for thinking and I remembered when my children were small we had a motorhome. We traveled… non-stop… from point A to point B. Finally, I had it with being a motorhome stewardess and said to my husband, "Do you suppose that we could enjoy the journey of getting there?"

That's what this trip was for me…. the journey, the experience, the spirit of it all. And from the very beginning, with the curiosity and trust of a child, I had wondered, "What mysteries would be revealed? What magic would happen along the way?"

We invited Kansas to join us back to the top and IF I didn't continue, he could take my spot. His male-supportiveness gave everyone a renewed energy to continue. He'd been to the top… he knew how far it was… his different persective kept our minds occupied until we turned the last bend to see close up… Sub Dome!! Holy Moly… there is an end to this trail!

To be Continued… One more part:)))

Journey to Half Dome - Yosemite (Part 1)

Who know when the invitation for six individual women to hike Half Dome arrived what each individual's experience would hold.

Years ago two of my friends and I went to the Kartchner Caverns in Arizona and it was enlightening to me to later discover that all of our experiences had been different. Chris, being a woman of science had a very scientific experience. Teddy, had just come along to accompany us and his experience was one of enjoying the moment of it all. While I had a very spiritual encounter.

That was the invitation the mountain held for us. She beckoned, "Will you come, without any judgments or expectations and embrace all that I have to offer?"

So six courageous women... different ages... different walks of life... and different life experiences all came together for a not yet known... pilgrimage to be Embraced by the Breath of God, as one put it.

Of course, starting off it was simply an adventure... a personal challenge for each... I can do it... I WILL DO IT!! Twenty miles round trip... we started at the trail head at 5AM and returned to the car at 9PM! Eight miles... straight up with a 4,800 foot elevation gain made the trek... what's a word that means more than challenging? Oh... HELLA HARD!!!!!

Now of course,  had I been training like my GI-Jane friend had be encouraging, perhaps it would have not been quite so tough. So while I was walking everyday, I just couldn't get motivated to climb stairs and do pushups! Sorry...  I wish I was... I really wish I was! But, I rationalized,  I've hiked the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu  (watch the video) and Waynapichui (watch the video) in Peru and while it nearly killed me... I did it! So, I was confident that I could do this too!

Because of my Peruvian experience, the heat, humidity and high altitude, I knew that I wasn't going to carry ANYTHING in my backpack!! Then for sure I could do it! Oh.... except for the gallon of water and food GI Jane insisted I pack along! Holy Crap! In Peru I ended up, just like Hansel and Gretel, leaving everything in my pack along the side of the trail, trusting that someone would come along and exclaim, "Wow! Just what I need!" (To Be Continued)

Happy Trails!

ETL 2016 Summer of Hope Tour

When I left Tucson, I had a couple of definite places to go, but everything in between I would leave to gently unfold. This is the first time that I've been alone and able to write so here is a brief rundown on how things have gone so far. First, I drove to Huntington Beach, flew to Sacramento, hitched a ride with my son and fiancé to Fort Bragg where I had the amazing privilege of marrying them on the bluff overlooking the sea, in the presence of God, family and friends.

Then I left with my daughter, son-in-law, and shared the back seat with my 6 month sweet grand daughter and not so small, BIG DOG on a road trip down south, via Mendocino, The World's Largest Salmon Bake, 4th of July Celebrations and a stop at Vichy Resort in Ukiah, one of only 3 champagne (effervescent) water warm springs in the world. (totally fun!)

Back for another week in Huntington, housesitting, walks, swims, family get togethers, and drinking beer.

Again, back on the road, heading to Yosemite for a not-yet known, pilgrimage to Half Dome with my daughter and 4 other courageous woman, after which, I drove up HWY 49 through the Motherlode and into Grass Valley. Because of the kind and generous spirit of many, I've spent the past two weeks, swimming, floating, boating, hiking, visiting, working, volunteering, gardening, cleaning, organizing and yes, drinking beer! I've stayed down town, in the mountains and on the water. As this is where I left in 2009 for my journey that began with A Year in a Suitcase, it has been a time of grace.

As I continue practicing living in the moment, I've kept my days from being planned.  When asked, "What are you going to do today?" I answer, "I'm going to just wait and see what unfolds!" And each day has held something special and magical.

We don't have to go away to experience something magical. But it does take conscious effort as it is easy to fall into what my friend calls a Six Inch Grave…a rut! We can let our personal and professional lives become... rote, routine, boring, and mundane if we're not careful.  It's tempting to follow the same routine, go the same way to work, eat the same foods, watch the same programs, etc. Then we can have the tendency to become rigid, complacent and inflexible.. all the while thinking… "This is the way it should be! I don't like change!" But if we can just change one small thing each day, or even change something every now and then, we will stay awake and living in each moment, and then we too can experience the magic each moment has to offer!