I'm not going into detail about it right now but will throughout the week about how it was...less than ideal. Part of it was spent in a bit of a state of numbness, with rivaling fears and emotions...
Alas, who wants to start out the week talking about such difficult things?! Surely not I!
Ergo, lets move onto this weekend eh?
I called mom, to tell her I was going up to the mountains, specifically MAMMOTH, where I hadn't been in 6 years but every year as a kid, ALL ALONE.
"No," she exclaims. "Come down and hang out with me. It's too dangerous for you to be up there, hiking especially, by yourself. There are bears. And bad people." Of course I laughed, knowing I was almost 200 miles away from her...so off I went.
I needed it. I needed it to show me how independent I was. How strong I was. How trusting I was. How dedicated I was. How...EVERYTHING.
So I drove hours by myself, climbing over 4,000+ ft in elevation to my favorite childhood spot:
It may have been a 4hr drive up and even more on the way home, but I couldn't have asked for a better weekend.
I was free...free from all obligations, technology, people I knew, the desert and work...you name it, it wasn't there. Even the fear of food. And not exercising. Because yes, that has been there horribly.
So I hiked to lakes:
And in the SNOW. What, snow in October? I thought it was fall?
What? You don't eat snow? Ok, I didn't eat it, but the thought was there.
In no way was it a clean hike. And seriously, why did I think hiking miles in the snow would be easy? It's a whole other freak'n experience!
Anyhow, getting to the crest was the best part. You could see all the lakes, and even the town down the mountain. I've never done this hike out of all the times I've been here. It was breathtaking...and I pulled a few muscles slipping in the process. All worth it.
Don't I look exhausted? That's what happens when you climb 1,000ft in...I don't know how long. But in all I hiked around 2 lakes, up to three different ones, and the crest, in 4 hours. It was tough!
And of course I couldn't have asked for a better morning. Even if it was in the 30's...Brr.
I did a driving tour of a bunch of lakes I've fished throughout the years, but the best one was the one with all the birds. I once applied to intern there...sucka's. Yo' miss'n out on a fun birding girl. Anyhow, Mono Lake anyone?
It's surrounded and flooding over what is known as Tufa Towers, "calcium-carbonate spires and knobs formed by interaction of freshwater springs and alkaline lake water."
The mountain weekend away was short, but just what I needed to clear my mind after last week. Because truthfully as you will find out, it was not pretty. At all.
But, after all my fun and adventure, I drove home:
And proceeded throughout the weekend to consume two of the most ginormous and delicious vegetable sandwiches over FOUR meals. How I wish it weren't 180 miles away. But I found out about mail order...
Hallelujah.
24 comments:
There really is something to visiting somewhere nostalgic and pushing yourself to total exhaustion... it makes everything in life just melt away, doesn't it?
I'm so proud of you, and love you dearly!
Those photos are so breathtaking that I can't even begin to imagine what it would have been like to experience it in person!
Walking has always been an activity that I just love doing and doing it next to scenery like that...I'm jealous :P
Well done for putting yourself out there!!!
xxx
BEAUTIFUL pictures!!! There's just something about being in breathtaking settings like that that really puts life into perspective..
Love ya girlie
AMAZEEEEEEE!!!!!!
Wow! Although your photos are beautiful, I can only imagine how much more breathtaking it was to be there in person. I hope you feel better about whatever you are going through right now. I'm always here to talk. :)
I find that time in the mountains can heal a lot of hurts. It always makes me feel more at peace and clear-headed.
I love your photos - I visited the Sierra for the first time (well, in my adult life anyway) this summer and fell in love immediately. Swimming in Mono Lake ( http://www.feastsonscraps.com/?p=560 ) was one of the highlights, once I got over the fact that a million of those weird little shrimps things were floating around me. :o)
I am so proud of you! Wow! This looks like such a great weekend and exactly what you needed. The views and the scenery are breathtaking. I would love to join you next time. ;) And try one of those delicious sandwiches!
I'm so happy for you!
wow, the scenery is magnificent! Good for you getting out and going for a hike-I wish I could join you, I love hiking and havent in sooo long! :) Have a good week!
Maddi
I love this post, "independence= adventure"...I think that's brilliant!
I never respected the environment enough to read about it, but I will now. I also never thought about what it's like to be a vegetarian, but I am going to try and read more and more about it because your blog makes it just seem interesting.
By the way, walking 1000ft in 4 hours is so impressive! Way to go!
if you want to read some of my blog, i'm at http://hungrychix.blogspot.com.
Have a great day!
so proud of you!! I would have been scared out of my wits doing that hike. The pictures are so gorgeous and I'm sure this allowed you to clear your thoughts. Hope the past couple of days was great emotionally for you!
WOW, those views are stunning. I can't get over it!!
Beautiful pictures! The view definitely looks like it was worth the hike. Sometimes we need to push ourselves to realize what we are capable of. I would love to go away with myself!
Wow, that is gorgeous. You're brave for doing that alone, but I feel like that would be such a good head-clearing experience!! It makes me want to get back to the mountains this winter!
I cannot believe how gorgeous those photos are, Melissa! And I'm very glad to see you back and hear that your time in the mountains did for you what you needed most. Keep trucking, girl!!
You are my HERO! I am so proud of you for doing this all by yourself... that's one of my dreams.
Wow, great job to just get away and hang out with with yourself - I am actually a bit jealous!
I am never by myself - I come to work surrounded by people, and even though there are only my husband and daughter at home, either one or the both of them are always there.
I do get up early though just to have "me" time.
I may have to steal one of your pictures for my screen saver - gorgeous!
Hugs!
Beautiful pictures and it seems like it was a beautiful experience for you too.
I do miss you :)
Beautiful pictures Melissa! What a great way to explore and discover your inner strength & beauty. I hope that you have found peace with what you going through. :)
good for you!!theres something so rejuvenating and satisfying about doing something on your own.
glad you enjoyed it
These pictures are so gorgeous! I've never been to Mammoth (can you believe it?) I really need to go.
Good for you for getting out, giving yourself a break from the world, and communing with nature -- and yourself. I hope everything is okay! I love how you go out of your way to take care of yourself. It's something more women need to do!
Wow, this was quite an experience! Those photos are really amazing. I'm glad that you were safe. (I probably would have been like your mom and told you to come stay with me instead!) I hope that this helped clear your mind and get you to a better place.
unbelievable! i have always wanted to go to mammoth. i'm putting that sandwich place on my list too!
Beautiful photos. I must remember this place for a future trip. I would love to hike in a place like that.
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