It's Springtime!

Up at 9,000 feet . . .

Fresh Greenery is in full swing!





There comes a time when all brave souls need to enter out into the elements . . .

So just before leaving Redding I was able to spend a week hiking north of Yosemite with a friend--

Yes, this weighs about 3,000 lbs.




We saw some wide open spaces--




























And celebrated Mass with an Altitude!

Camped in the middle of nowhere!

Stella Lake

And discovered that the combination of no air, a gazillion pounds on your back, and trails like this . . . make for good reasons for rest breaks . . .




But what a totally refreshing way to shift gears before leaving for Italy. Between having foxes steal my sustenance (and my sunglasses), discovering that being able to breathe is good (best accomplished at like a 30 foot altitude), and refreshing the love of showers and beds, the wilderness takes up your full attention.