Walkabout | Part One

I spent 10 days back packing through Yosemite this month. I was blessed beyond measure with this opportunity, getting to experience pieces of the California wilderness not many people get the chance to see. I had adventures I've only dreamed of, saw breathtaking sights, and got to know some amazing people. 

Camp food was good, surprisingly. I think the community aspect of searching the bear cans for ingredients, making it together, serving each other, and eating together made it taste better than it actually was. But, it also made me realize a simple life is more life fulfilling and life giving than a busy life. Although we cannot always escape to the wilderness for 10 days and be free of emails, commitments, money issues, and the mundane day to day life, I hope to continue to find ways to embrace this simple and joy-filled way of life I found in the wilderness. 

One of the most beautiful things about this 10 days in the wild was the joy found in little things. Like sitting in hammocks talking, or playing silly games where we could laugh together, or climbing rocks, or singing songs as we hiked. We would sit around the campfire for a long time in the morning and evening, eating slowly and being present with each other. Our hours were marked not by watches, but the casual pace of the sun across the sky. Breakfast was when everyone was awake, lunch was when we were hungry, dinner was before dark. Despite this pace, we still made it where we needed to go, accomplishing the tasks set before us with grace and adventurous spirits. 

We discovered the coffee we had was not instant, but simply grounds. So, we learned to make it by using a bandana as a pour over. Nutella and Cholula were coveted and add a little bit of magic to any meal. My REI mug was great for coffee or instant oatmeal or hot chocolate. Mixing one instant Quaker Oatmeal Apple Cinnamon packed and one Maple Brown Sugar is the perfect combination. 

(Yes I ate some sugar this week, when you are in the wilderness at high altitude hiking, climbing, and swimming it was a good blood sugar boost when needed)

Sunrise and sunset will always be my most favorite times of day. There is such hope and promise of a new day in the sunrise. There is such a peaceful close to the day brought with the sunset, ushering in the magic of the night sky. Yosemite, you are gorgeous. 

Look for Walkabout | Part Two on Thursday with some stories from my adventure.