Back at the ranch

With the trip concluded and back at the ranch (back home), there was no denying that my time spent, brought much needed bliss to my soul. I had scaled mountains, and pushed myself to new heights, crossing a waterfall with rushing waters, while feeling more sure footed than usual. My body felt stronger than ever, and I had the feeling that I had turned a corner, reaching a new milestone. A few times I felt near tears, wanting to give up and just sit it out, not taking another step and just give in to that inner voice of exhaustion that wanted me to stop, give up, and rest. I struggled with it especially during the last hike, but it became apparent that much of it is mental and that you can push past it, and so I did. I slept on the ground, under the stars. I grounded with Mother Earth, a little stiff the next morning but full of healing, and I saw majestic places many never see in their lifetime.

Sure I had trips like that before, and was no stranger to moments like these, and yet something was different this time around. I didn’t immediately knew what it was, but the answers literally fell into my lap. Something had shifted, something was no longer the same that would allow me to continue in the same old fashion as always. I was no longer the same and I like to think that I was evolving to a better version of myself, one with improved health. I couldn’t pinpoint the exact time it happened, but being out there, I felt it and it was liberating. Pain is the worst, debilitating, and robs you of your life quality. It was gone for the most part and I would say that walking more, kundalini yoga and my spiritual growth, all contributed to this shift. Now that I was “here”, I also knew that new circumstances required new measures because if you continue to do the same old things, you will get the same old results. And if you are not happy with your now, maybe you need to take a different approach to yield a different outcome. I was ready to move on and recognized the moment.

Either way, I felt gifted and grateful, and somehow I knew that I was perfectly aligned to take the “Now what” question to the next level. To somehow find the courage to take the next step in this transformational journey of my life, even though much of the insight would come in hindsight and was only revealing in tiny pieces.

Shortly after getting home, one of the gifts that fell into my lap was the discovery of a book about natural remedies for all kinds of ailments. I felt called to expand my learning and take the occasional dabble in homeopathy I was already practicing to the next level. I’ve long loved the natural approach to healing and I’m not a big fan of conventional medicine and big Pharma. There was a time, long ago when I had to take the steroids and the harsh medicines that did more damage than good, because I was in so much pain from the rheumatoid arthritis. Back then I couldn’t function and had to mask the pain so I could go to work and earn a living. It was a costly bandaid to ease the pain but treat nothing in any way. Much has changed since then and it’s been years that I tossed those harsh drugs into the trash. With the help of energy healing I have learned to control my pain levels and with an entire year + under my belt, my focus is shifting to repair the damage caused from this chronic disease I carried for so many years. Sure it can flare at any moment and come back full force, but in the meantime I’m arming myself with knowledge and health where I can to combat it if it does.

Not too long ago I discovered essential oils and I fell in love. I have treated allergies, headaches, pain, an earache, stress, swelling and inflammation so far with great success. Was this the next step? It surely felt it was.

Blessed are…

On the way down from Relief Reservoir and one of the bridges above the rushing waters of the Stanislaus River.

Blessed are the curious for they shall have adventures. What and when was your last adventure? I hope you are smiling thinking back to it. ❤️

Relief Reservoir

And finally I was at the top. After 4+miles, 68 flights, and close to 10.000 steps. Along the way I was rewarded with beautiful Waterfalls, Rocky Cliffs , and Rushing waters. A spectacular hike with too many pictures to show and many more special moments to refer to.

I had done it. I climbed up, up, up and away and was driven by the new, a place I had never been before. That always seems to fuel the fire a tad bit more and helps muster reserve energies I never knew I had. It was windy at the top, but beautiful. It felt serene and the feeling of accomplishment was rising within my soul. I sat and scanned the area, from the snow dotted peaks where a trail continued to meander over it’s pass, to the shoreline and it’s cliffs. A few backpackers arrived scouting out the area for a suitable campsite and I couldn’t help but marvel in how amazing it must be to camp in a place like this under the full moon or a dark sky full of stars. It’s beyond words let me tell you.

Soon we would make our way back down to the trailhead and sometimes down is more strenuous for me than up, believe it or not. A steep trail down with giant stone steps and boulders is tough on the joints, while a steep trail up gets your heart pumping while sweating out all these toxins. I guess each has their pros and cons. The trip would come to an end this very evening and already I knew that new insight was gained from connecting with Mother Nature and from being still. From leaving it all behind and letting the daily routine be replaced with adventure and new motivation. And still I had no clue how much of it would present itself in the days ahead.

False Summit

“False Summit”, have you ever heard about it? Imagine yourself hiking up a mountain, your eyes keenly peeled on the top, the top you believe to be the summit. Ah, it’s not so bad you think, you can do it, as you motivate yourself to set one foot in front of the other. After all, how hard can it be right? I’ll just take my time. Ha…

Finally you reach your summit, but the celebration is short lived as you realize you have not reached the top at all. Beyond your summit, a new summit is revealed that requires more climbing up to heaven. And sometimes this goes on for several summits. “Are we there yet, how many summits do I have to conquer, this can’t go on forever.”

No pain, no gain right, and being rewarded with such splendid views (picture) along the way, how terrible is it really! Fact is that if you want to see these places that you can’t just drive up to and admire from the convenience of your car, YOU HAVE TO PUT IN THE WORK.

Those times, are times of struggle, but also times of huge success stories for me. It’s a time you get closer to yourself and find out what you are made of. It’s a time you will be proud that you made it, as well as a time you gather momentum and newfound inspiration. It’s the best motivator and I would say that everything worthwhile requires hard work and is never easy. If it was, everybody would be doing it. Remember…

Day 2 – Stanislaus River

Day 2 started with aches and stiffness, and all of a sudden the ground felt much harder than the night before. Was it a case of getting older, being too old for camping and sleeping on the ground, or was it not getting the proper rest after the somewhat strenuous hike to the Waterfall. Regardless of what it was, the idea of investing in a better quality sleeping pad was born as the perfect solution. It might have been a little bit of everything, but who was going to admit that, and after all this was no time to say that our camping days are over.

It was time to pack up though and remove our tiny footprint, leaving Mother Nature in the same beautiful condition we found her just two days ago. With a last look back, a sigh and a promise to return again, we made the short trek to the Jeep, loading all our belongings. And off we were, with no concrete idea of where the day would take us. We passed a few trails I saw in my California hiking book (happily crossing off the trails explored) that sounded interesting, but I knew they were short and easy and n out something we could spend the whole day on. Dang, the “easy part” sounded so appealing.

We ended up at Kennedy meadows and the lodge was open. All of a sudden the idea of a second breakfast sounded appealing and we couldn’t resist the yearning for some real food. Quite honestly I didn’t know I was hungry or even considered it until that moment. Sitting on the patio, taking in the morning air and peace, a huge animal transport arrived. Today was the day several of these transports would arrive, loaded with cows, and later guided by cowboys on horseback and dogs (yes just like you would see in movies) to higher pastures. One by one charged out of the transport, over a ramp that would lead into a holding pen. It was a little bit like the running of the bulls, at least that’s what I called it. How cool was that and for once the timing was on our side to witness this unique experience. I say for once because the usual timing is often something that makes us shake our heads and just smile in disbelief.

Full and happy we decided to walk up the meadow “a little ways”, haha. I should know better when it’s a little ways or “we are almost there.” But what do they say “not knowing is bliss sometimes” and it definitely was in this case as it would have caused me a huge mental block.

Stay tuned. 😉

The beautiful journey of transformation

This little guy and so many others, in various colors and sizes, accompanied me on my hike to the waterfall. At that time it was such a beautiful experience and it still is, but in hindsight it feels more like a sign, like a transformational journey I was taking. The day to day troubles and the pain, both physical and mental was gone for that day and the wisdom of “Never ruin a good day by thinking about a bad yesterday” was beating within my chest. I let it all go….

Shortly I would maneuver the top of the falls, crossing over and being very happy with myself and my newfound physical strengths. But it wasn’t only physical and I would see with more clarity that offered a renewed sense of survival and motivation. I was looking ahead and I was charging forward towards new heights with every step. A journey of transformation, making room for the next stage, just like the painful birth of the butterfly. A sign showing me how beautiful things can turn out in the end, even after immense struggle. And again, it’s nothing new or like a big “Aha moment.” It’s really old news, something I have always known, yet we all require a little nudge sometimes, a reminder that sets us straight again. Realizing it or not at that time, I am glad that I could witness the beauty of the butterflies and that it’s symbolic meaning deepened even more in time, still fueling my motivation with the steps becoming clearer once more.

Day 1 – The Destination

The first half of our 6 Mile hike would lead us to the top of this waterfall, offering a spectacular view of the lake beneath us. Somewhere over there to the right, amongst boulders and trees, shrubs and bushes was the tent, but as hard as I tried, I just couldn’t make it out. It was well hidden, and that was a good thing.

If you look at the picture, you can’t see it but a big waterfall was to the right of me, dropping abruptly over the edge from the little pool just before the fall. A small cascade was feeding the pool, big enough to cool off, and save enough to not go over the edge.

Just prior to finding the pool, we crossed the falls and the rushing water underneath my feet, to check the other side for a suitable resting place. A place that would call out, saying, “this is it.” It was probably the most physical activity, as far as climbing over boulders, not having a footbridge but maneuvering and utilizing rocks in the water as stepping stones, that I had done in a long time. I managed with little trouble and was thinking about how difficult this would have been for me just recently. I was definitely getting stronger, getting more flexible, able to conquer challenging terrains, and with it grew my confidence and motivation. I was on a high again, unstoppable, like I could and would change my stars, ever working closer towards my true purpose. It felt good to say the least. As far as the physical aspect goes, it wasn’t effortless, but satisfying and really good. It’s always a big fight coming back from a debilitating flare up or any challenge with a chronic disease, so these little successes and moments always end up really being the biggest and most meaningful achievements. And I for sure had one of these moments, an essential block to build upon and continue this journey.

It turned out that there was no spot on the other side, only very steep drop offs with no safety net. If you slipped, you would most likely fall to your death unless you get tangled up and stopped by some brush. Needles to say, every step was carefully placed and required concentration and special attention. Did I mention that I always had a fear of sliding, falling off a cliff or mountain? Perfect scenario to find myself in, wouldn’t you say? I do experience vertigo and “don’t look down” definitely is something I apply when I’m out there. I guess I should say that I do look down as I carefully select my footing, but I don’t look over the edge or stay in place very long.

Well, I ended up conquering the rushing waters once more, crossing the top of the waterfall for the second time. Still no problem, phew. Back on the other side and just beyond a pile of giant boulders, and a fallen log was the little pool, previously unseen. What was waiting there was the much anticipated “that’s it” moment and I was glad the search was over and a bit of rest would follow. Right there on the edge, overseeing it all, so high above the land, it would be a spot to spend the entire day until late afternoon. I was hoping for a little cool down, remembering the 3 miles and 44 flights of stairs back to the Jeep, but for now this thought and effort had to wait until later, which would come soon enough.

Pushing myself

I am going on a little adventure, pushing myself to old but new heights. I am going backpacking for a few days and once this post goes active I will be gone already. Backpacking is a whole lot different from camping and there will be no such thing as driving up to your campsite. Backpacking allows you to step into the wilderness while carrying everything you need on your back for miles on end, to a spot that tells your soul to stay for awhile. Undisturbed and away from the noise and complete solitude and serenity.

Going backpacking pushes the issue for me fighting a chronic disease that does not take kind to too much physical activity. To sleeping on the hard ground and may not getting enough rest, but I can challenge each point made here and Mother Nature and fresh air is also healing for me. Grounding recharges my system and the hard ground will actually do me good. In the end my mountains are calling and I have to go. It’s that simple and I have to try and get back to this side of what I love to do.

Wish me luck and watch out for some amazing pictures to come your way.

Point break Lake Tahoe

I heard it before. I heard people have surfed on Lake Tahoe and the other day I actually got to see it. It was like Point Break (the movie) at our own shores and it was quite amazing to see. Not only that people surfed, but the waves 😳. The parking lot was full of vans and surfers everywhere. In all these years living here, I have never seen this area transform into a typical Southern California scene. It was definitely neat to see. Everybody must have heard about the winds forecasted, which would naturally create some high waves on the lake. Add a little great minds think alike and you got yourself a scene with surfers dressed in their protective neoprene suits, paddling out to catch the next big one.

A storm was brewing and the wind was the first sign of what was to come. Overnight the temperatures dropped to freezing and I rescued what plants and flowers I could from outside. Hail and snow followed…in June. Yep that’s how it goes here and sometimes you can expect all four seasons in one day. Today it’s warming up again and tomorrow we are ready for swimming weather once more.

Truckee River

Down by the river and the discovery of a new spot. Have a great weekend everyone. 🙏🏼