Be here now

I sulked. I had planned a backpacking trip and the weather had thwarted it. The forecast was for thirty mile an hour winds. If you have never camped in that windspeed, let me enlighten you on the fun that it is. First, your tent poles bend completely over with each gust. You can hear the wind coming and all you can do is brace against it. You fear your poles will snap. Even if you could sleep, the desperate flapping of the tent fabric prevents this. Finally you collapse your tent around you to prevent damage, but then you are encased in a coffin of mesh and nylon just waiting to be airborne. No thanks!

However, the wind never materialized. "Be here now," my friend said. He was right. I had to appreciate what I could do. Day hiking, though not my favorite, was the way to go. Even that has been fraught with risk. The mountains didn't get the memo that it was June, with feet of fresh snow dumping on them this week. I slogged up the Falls Creek trail to the water crossing, noting the new snow up high. It will be a long time before the high country is accessible.

The lake is up there...above the snow.

The same day, Search and Rescue had to go out to assist a 74 year old hiker who needed help due to snow. Details were scarce, except that they had to spend the night. Someone, it seemed, had been caught unaware by the weather.

After work hikes have been helping restore my sanity in a world that has gone crazy. Spruce and I hiked the climber's trail toward Mount Joseph, a trail that sees very few people. We could look down at the lake and its masses of people and be all alone. I am trying hard not to judge, but there are so many people traveling now like nothing is happening. For me, it is going to be a local summer. All of my work travel through the end of the year is most likely not going to happen. That is fine with me.

The puppy now weighs 55 pounds. 

This morning, the snow level lowered to the valley. We woke up with a sense of wonder and disbelief. Had we just dreamed the last few months? Was it really January, and we could start over? Sadly, that was not the case.

I have never been that great at Be Here Now. I've always wanted to see what was around the corner. It looks like this summer will be the time to get better at this.