In a world of so many great photographers and writers, I am venturing into some unknown territories, leaving comfort zones, finally very willing to practice the art of seeing. By maintaining the practice of posting daily photos, I hope to continue learning about the possibilities that I trust are out there for the taking.
Up at 3:45am so I’d have enough time for a coffee, morning poo, shower and be on time. Raced over to pick up Sandi before realizing I’d forgotten my running shoes. On the one mile drive back home I called Katie to let her know we’d be 10 minutes late for our meeting to do the Bump ‘n Grind, an hour and a half long hike.
At the pace Katie and I were hiking, it took us 46 minutes to get to the top turnaround point. Not long after we headed back down the hill, still in the dark, we met Sandi. The sun was 10 to 15 minutes away from rising over the Coachella Valley. I asked Katie and Sandi to pose for this photo. I hand held this shot at a shutter speed of 1 second. Way too long an exposure for a crisp shot, but I wanted to capture Katie’s first hike up Bump and Grind.
Sandi and KatieAs much as I dislike getting up so early, hiking in the calm and beauty of a dark morning has always been very special. I hope I remember how special this morning was the next time my head tells me that I don’t want to get up and go hiking so early. I am a fast forgetter. Hopefully this pictured visual image will bring back the specialness of being up and out “there” before the day really starts for most people.
I know I said, “No more long hikes.” But the trail calls again.
The following email has just confirmed some plans, and dates for hiking I’ve been discussing with a man named TrailDad. TrailDad is the father of Brian Robinson. Brian was the first to hike all three long distance hiking trails (AT, CDT and PCT) back to back in one calendar year. Here is a link to TrailDad and Brian’s website.
TrailDad, Brian and YogiTrailDad and I are teaming up to hike half of a long hike, half of the CDT northbound, starting at the New Mexico/Mexico border – from a border town – maybe Antelope Wells or maybe Crazy Cook Monument on the eastern border.
Here is the latest email I just received from TrailDad containing and confirming the dates I’ll be hiking. I’ll be away for a month then return for a month before heading back out on the trail again. (I had posed some questions in a previous email to TrailDad that he responds to in the email.)
By the way, for those of you who don’t know me, my trail name is Gottago……
For those paying close attention, no, I didn’t do a 60-mile day. I did a 34 miler with a flip-flop. I’ve been worried about how to get back from Antelope Wells border crossing because it’s such a lightly traveled road. So when I got to Hachita, where my last resupply box was waiting for me, and met Sam Hughes, a new plan formed. Sam drove me to Antelope Wells from Hachita, a distance of 45 miles. Now I’m hiking north from the border back to Hachita. No more nasty hitchhike problem! And there’s just 35 more miles to town, so I’ll probably get there tomorrow.
Today was another beautiful spring day in the desert. Warm and sunny in the morning, but a little cloudy in the afternoon. It’s been hot enough to drink 6 liters of water today, but not too bad, really.
A 2-1/2 inch long tarantula just visited my camp spot. Really beautiful, but I hope it doesn’t want to share my sleeping bag tonight! If it’s as warm as last night, it won’t get below about 60 degrees. That’s warmer than the high temperature on all but a couple days on the AT this winter! I sure don’t need all my winter gear right now!
Earlier today I saw my first rattlesnake of the year. It was sunning itself on the road as I walked by. This is real desert down here. The last couple days I’ve seen lots of Joshua trees, cholla cactus, prickly pear cactus and beavertail cactus. But it’s definitely spring; there are lots of wildflowers in bloom, too. It’s really lovely to walk in the desert at this time of year. April 20 6:00 PM. Sam Hughes’ house, Hachita, NM.
Today I finished New Mexico! I hiked the remaining 35 miles back to Hachita and I’m awaiting Sam’s return. I’m a little early he isn’t expecting me until 6 or 7 PM. But today is very windy and that made it feel cooler, so I could hike faster. Since I was going north today, the wind was at my back for a change. That was a pleasant turn. It’s blowing up a lot of dust, though.
On the side of the road today, I saw the body of a dead eagle. I stopped to admire the once great bird, when I noticed a tuft of three feathers at my feet. The three eagle feathers immediately made me think of the three great trails I’m hiking. It seemed to me that the feathers were a gift to me, and a symbol of my hike. I’d like to carry them with me for the rest of my hike, but I’m afraid they’re too fragile for that. But since I’m heading home tomorrow for a brief rest before beginning the PCT, I’ll leave them there. They are very special to me.
I’m back…..So my training begins. I mentioned this hike to LaZorra and Alice (my PCT hiking partner aka StoneDancer) asking if they would like to join us for all or part of our hike. I’m waiting to hear from them.
Gottago
I’m having an off day.
It’s 3:59 pm and I’m still in my pjs. I started and stopped about 10 different tasks. I couldn’t find any energy. I did what I always do when I can’t seem to get started……I sat at my computer all morning. Playing.
Around 1pm Ray finished golf, came home and turned on the TV. I found it difficult to not join him in watching all the horrible news of the many southern CA fires.
Last night I’d called my brother Don to find out if the Malibu fires were close to him. He said the fires were 6 miles away, thank goodness. Today, I called Taye and Angela. They both live near two other fires in the San Fernando Valley. Then Donna and Jeff Saufley had someone post on the PCT L online digest that they were safe. We hikers were worried about them. Donna and Jeff are well known, much loved, PCT trail angels whose home and yard is open to all hikers when they pass through Aqua Dulce along the PCT.
I went out to try a photo lesson that had been suggested I try to determine why I’m not having great results with my macro lens. After uploading the new test photos I was again disappointed. I didn’t have any better luck than I’d had the day before photographing the bougainvillea. I’d set the aperture for aperture priority and took 10 or more photos of the same flower, in the same position, at different f-stops. I couldn’t tell much difference between the change in f-stops. My back is stressed from the hour of holding the camera yesterday, so I stopped feeling I’d wasted time. But at least I did what I said I was going to do.
I received a phone call from Sherali asking me to pick her up before our meeting tonight so I better go get out of the pjs, shower and get to first pick up Sandi and then Sherali. I am the Grapevine representative at the Monday night meeting. I give a report each week so I better look through the magazine so I’ll have something interesting to share during my report.
I spent an hour or more outside this afternoon photographing bougainvilleas with a Canon Macro Lens EF 100mm 1:2.8 on my Canon EOS Rebel XTi. I didn’t like one of the 100 photos I took. This is the best of the lot but I can’t seem to get a crisp focus.
There seems to be so little distance range for clear focus.
In trying to become more familiar with the macro lens I shot this staged shot.
I’d found these letter-like stones years ago, during a walk on a beach north of Santa Barbara. Ray and I used to camp in our RV at El Capitan
State Park a couple times a year. Every day we’d take a stroll on the beach. One day I found the stone that looked like an L. Then I came across an “o”. When I found a “v” I searched frantically for any stone that looked like an “e”.
These rock letters usually reside in a special place with all the other rocks I have collected. Every rock I’ve collected represents a trip – a hike or a backpack. I always bring home one special rock. People have often selected a rock for me. During my 2002 PCT hike I was given a beautiful river rock I carried in my backpack even though I was very weight conscious.
Rocks have always fascinated me. Looking for rocks is fun. Looking for rocks makes me feel good. I find it interesting that I found rocks that spell out the word love.
Love: strong affection for another arising out of kinship or personal ties.
p.s. Just found this article.
Hannah, Sandi, Linda and Katie do a self portrait before the start of Hannah’s, Sandi’s and Katie’s first-ever hike on the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT).
We drove up Hwy 74 from Hwy 111 in Palm Desert. 25 minutes later we arrived at the PCT Trailhead and hiked north for a couple of miles. I figure we hiked about 4 miles. Everyone enjoyed their hike. Sandi surprised me. She had no trouble keeping up with our pace. Hannah and Katie loved being out in the mountains.
Hannah and Katie definitely are up for an overnight backpack trip. We noticed a trail mileage marker stating it was 28 miles to Saddle Junction from Hwy 74 where we parked our car. It is another 2.5 miles to hike down into the town of Idyllwild. A discussed plan for the future is to do a car shuttle backpack leaving one car at the Hwy 74 (Palms to Pine trailhead) and another car in Idyllwild.
Katie would like to train for this backpack.
Hannah would like to go next weekend.
Sandi has offered to be our support!
I had a blast being “out there” with people who were so interested and excited.
p.s. Cindy and Tina, you better dust off your gear.
What I learned over the last few days:
- Never mess with upgrading anything on your computer the night before you are headed out of town.
- That spending the night at friends’ houses is really fun.
- Treating myself and Ray to a nice hotel room makes me feel good.
- Getting dressed and going out at night is much more fun than what my head says earlier in the day.
- Taking good photos doesn’t happen unless I take my time and pay attention.
- Taking good photos won’t happen unless I learn more about the works of a camera.
- Keeping a blog is fun.
- I won’t be able to backpack unless I start training my body soon.
- Hanging at borders, on my computer, free to play, explore, induldge in whatever I want, is heaven.
- I was right to be excited about being with all the people I got to spend time with on this 4 day trip into LA.
- Life is realllllly good!
Great job Alexandra!
Alexandra performed tonight in North Hollywood at a restaurant filled with many close friends. Repeated energized applause reflected everyone’s interest and enjoyment. Alexandra looked beautiful, sang from her heart and looked quite comfortable even though she later confided her nervousness.
Ray and I had a great evening listening to Alexandra and the incredible band. I found myself smiling and very moved.
Look at this photo I just received from Don. Don is the true adventurer in our family.
Here is the email Don sent:
“Flew down to Puerto Vallarta with two guys for four days of fishing on a boat of one of them – way offshore in deep water.
I caught this 345 pound yellow fin tuna (world record is 389lbs).
Fought him standing up for 55 minutes in 93 degree humid weather.
I also free dove without tanks to 85 feet where I swam right next to a school of a hundred or more of 100 to 250 pounders for 30 seconds.”
Damn. Look at how fit my brother is!
I had a wonderful time at Quincy’s meeting tonight. Great sharing and a neat group of ladies. Three other ladies had prior commitments and where unable to attend.