My hubby and I have logged quite a bit of trail time over the years. At this point in our bag-packing lives, we are finding it more and more difficult to tolerate the typical trail food. We’ve had more than our fill of dehydrated meals and packaged energy bars! So, lately I have been trying to find fresher, tastier, homemade alternatives to fuel our backcountry adventures.
It is definitely summer in our little desert world. Unfortunately, this time of year our “high desert” isn’t nearly high enough! With a long holiday weekend and temperatures reaching 115 degrees, the hubby and I packed our bags and headed for higher ground.
I do love this season of hiking in the Sierra Nevada. Everything is a wonder to me in this wilderness playground. I am amazed by the simplest things. Traits of a Montessori teacher, I suppose. We are conditioned to see the world from a child’s point of view. Children are fascinated by everything and they notice everything. Observing nature and delighting in it…that so-called “sense of wonder” is innate. It is only natural to feel a connection to that child’s inner sense when roaming these wilderness trails and backcountry.
This granite landscape boggles my mind. No matter how many times we hike, climb, sit, fall, wonder and ponder in this environment, we never get tired of this view. Out here, one can feel deeply connected to everything in the world around you and at the same time, unbelievably small and alone. It never ceases to amaze.
It’s funny how I can get comfortable living without something until I get a tiny little taste of it. Suddenly, I realize how much that thing fills my heart and body with joy and life. My hubby and I have been hiking in the Sierra together for fifteen years now and it is so much a part of who we are. We have had some pretty amazing adventures over the years as we have discovered and grown our mountain skills together. Last season’s Sierra outings were frustratingly few and far between and we have been anxiously awaiting a new season and new adventure! Well, to be honest, we don’t even need a big adventure. At this point we would settle for a nice, simple, life-giving trek on a trail.
Seek a Little Solace 