Tag Archives: Visual Journaling

Ready, Get Set, GO!

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Train, prepare, pack, weigh. Repeat. Getting ready for a six week journey on The John Muir Trail after a record snow year and treatment for breast cancer is not easy. So many extra weighted items to bring like crampons to walk on ice and snow, and sturdy, waterproof shoes for crossing raging, overflowing creeks and streams. 

 My biggest weight sacrifices I commit to heartedly: a travel size memory foam pillow covered beautifully by my auntie and my backpacker guitar. They will be worth their weight (I hope).

I am almost ready and set. My pack, food and gear will weigh about 35 lbs. This week I drive to Yosemite National Park-my starting point.  The hike begins Saturday with hubby and daughter both along. We will be exploring new territory on the Ted Solomon Trail. We start start at Glacier Point and hike to Mammoth early Saturday morning.  Lots to do and time is flying. Thankful I fought off sleepiness to hit the trail this morning. I do not feel ready physically and the only way to feel better and stronger is to hike.  I am so glad I did it!

The real icing on the cake today was accidently meeting up with a group of mothers and daughters resting in a shaded area. I stopped and chatted and blessed them all before moving on. My heart feels happy as I feel Lady Lauralyn, John Muir Trail Chaplain rising again! I feel spiritually and mentally ready! Everything is coming into place.

Iron Mountain Musings

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angel jet-skiing across the sky at sunrise

Getting up before dawn to hike is never easy but always guarantees rewards.
Today the one of a kind sunrise was majestic. I see an angel jet-skiing across the sky.
It feels like a sign as I am about a week away from six weeks of hiking on the John Muir
Trail.  I am trying to ready myself physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually.
This is no easy task. It has been about six weeks since radiation treatment stopped.
Recovery has been rest and has been challenging given what I will be facing in the next phase  of my journey. I feel like all the gains I made from hiking the JMT last year have been hidden  away. However, I am confident that my faith and the determination I feel in my spirit will  help me carry on. I am determined to not just complete the hike again but to do it well.  My daughter and guitar are joining me this year. It is a record snow year and all the  rivers, streams, and creeks are overflowing. I am certain I will have wet feet  every day and mosquito tag-alongs. Spring Time will be all around me in the high country,  signifying a new season. Songs are bubbling up in my heart as I anticipate my 59th year moving  forward in health and thankfulness. John Muir Trail 2017 you are going to be epic!