A Hard Year So Far
Well, I am so far behind on everything that I can't seem to catch up on anything—but I'm happy for each day that I'm able to do SOMETHING! And I have been trying to get caught up on pictures and posts here, but it's just like everything else in my mundane life right now: neglected!
This blog is really about just two things: fighting cancer and hiking. For too long now, the posts have been focused on the cancer fight. But I have not forgotten the hiking; I just haven't been able to do much of any! But I am happy to report that the ANF reopened in time for Memorial Weekend after the Station Fire, and even more of it reopened in time for the 4th of July.
Of course, I've been chomping at the bit to get out there. So we took a drive the weekend after July 4th to see the status of Hwy 2; reports had it still closed between Vincent Gap and Islip Saddle, which means I can't access the trailheads at Dawson Saddle. I am happy to report we experienced no road closures, and drove all the way from Mountain High to Islip Saddle!
So perhaps when I get stronger, I can take on some of the steeper trails and build my strength up quickly. I am still far too puny and suffering from too many aftereffects of the radiation to be out in the wilderness, though; so I am biding my time.
In the meanwhile, enjoy some pictures of our lovely July drive into the mountains. After checking out the 2, we headed out East Blue Ridge and up to nearly 8000 ft. It's nice to be able to get that high without hiking!
As usual, click on any picture to see the larger version.
Looking into the Southfork basin from Hwy 2.The Devil's Punchbowl is middle center.
A zoom of the Punchbowl shows some of its "punchbowl" looks.
Wildflowers dot the mountainside at Islip Saddle parking area.
Wildflowers were in strong evidence out East Blue Ridge, too. 
We even saw a deer!
I'm informed this is a sad sight in summer.
California dodder dotted the ski slope.
We picnicked in Big Blue while enjoying all the lovely wildflowers, higher altitudes, and cooler temps. 
1 comment:
Hi Linda! So happy to see how well you are doing and that you haven't lost an ounce of your positive spirit. I really needed some hope today and your blog was the first place I went--and I was not disappointed!
Suzanne
P.s. I had my Ommaya reservoir put in today. Tomorrow: death by Herceptin to those sneaky HER2+ cells in the brain. Thanks for blazing this trail for me and so many others!
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