Backpacking

How do I summarize such an amazing weekend? We got up to the cutoff around 1130 and unloaded our packs. I will be the first to admit that the hike up was one of the most mentally and physically challeging things I have ever done before in my life! It was horrible...but the people on that mountain with me were so encouraging and so patient--just what I needed! We took it slow and stopped whenever anyone needed to rest....

my life-saver :-)

Ryan, thankfully, offered to exchange packs with me for the trip up--his weighed only 18lbs (he tried to follow the ultralight backpacking guide). He was a life-saver!

Upper Twin Lake

It took us nearly 3 1/2 hours to hike in the 3 1/2 miles...it was about 90% uphill, 4% relatively flat, and 6% back downhill to the lake. The view at the top of the peak was amazing...there was a sign that said "Kaiser Wilderness"...and we could see a beautiful green meadow down below and out in front of us a range of snowcapped mountains... So we continued on. The initial downhill section once we arrived at the peak was a nice break from all the uphill, but the only thing going through my mind at the time (besides being thankful for a break from the uphill!) was 'man, this is gonna be crappy to go back up!' haha. About 30 minutes later we were at Upper Twin Lake and...wow. It was incredibly beautiful.

The Rock

We decided to set up camp right away. Afterwards, some people took naps while the rest of us went exploring around the lake. We had steak and chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, and corn for dinner that night...I know, not exactly the meal you picture when you think of "camping"! But it was definitely a rewarding dinner after that long hike. I think we were all in bed by 11 and then up very early (around 7) Saturday morning. We ate breakfast (breakfast burritos) and then changed and went for a swim--we were in the water by about 9, so it was still pretty cold, but so refreshing. After lunch we hiked around the lake and found a really fun rock (about 25feet) to jump off of, so we spent about 2 hours there, then hiked back to start prepping for dinner.

Responsibilities

You know, I used to go camping with my family all the time, but because I was so young I never really had to think about all of the responsibilities that go along with it...pumping and filtering water, collecting wood for the fire, washing dishes, packing the bear canisters every night, etc. It's really a lot of work! But definitely something I could get used to doing on a regular basis.

Guitars and moonlight

Anyway, Scott packed in his guitar (crazy boy), so after dinner Saturday (pasta) we had a great time of worship...until Ryan dropped the guitar on one of the rocks from the fire pit and chipped off a piece. Oh well! One neat thing about both nights was that it was pretty close to a full moon...so we didn't need our headlamps (headlights, as I referred to them all weekend, as a joke) to see where we were walking. After the guitar broke it was still pretty early, so we decided to take a night walk--a moonlight walk, so no headlamps at all. We walked down to the lake and just sat in awe of the beautiful scene before us. I don't know if you can picture it and I probably don't have the right words to describe it...the entire lake and the mountains behind it were illuminated by the light from the moon...there was even a reflection in the water...it was awesome and brought most of us to tears. A very moving experience.

a great ending

Sunday morning we woke up early again and most of the group went for a swim--Scott and I stayed back to pack and clean a little bit and we were all ready to go by 1230 (only 30 minutes behind schedule this time). Our hike out (I led...much easier for me) was only 2 hours and I pushed through the crappy uphill part like it was nothing!! The guys were so proud of me. lol. Back to the cars about an hour and a half later, we found a rest area with a restroom (a real one--yay!) and decided to eat lunch there too. So that's about it... :-)

Prelude...

Well, Awesome Dawson had a 'packing party' at her place tonight and we divided up all the food and tents and other miscellaneous supplies between the seven of us. I'm pretty excited...my pack was really light until I strapped on the sleeping bag and stuffed the bear canister into the lower pouch. Oh well! Not sure if 30 pounds is considered light or not, but I'm trying to think positively...I'm sure it could be much heavier!

So we leave at 730am and start our hike in around 10am...should put us at the lake around 2. Then we have the rest of the day to play around, maybe go swimming...basically just relax and enjoy the beauty that is God's creation. :-) Saturday we don't have anything planned either, except worship after dinner. Scott is packing in his guitar--now that's one hard-core worship leader!

Potential problems...swarms of mosquitos have been spotted at the lakes and no bathrooms (what the heck is nature's toilet paper? i guess i'll find out...)! Pray for us...please. For safety, good attitudes, and a great time of fellowship. Thanks so much!!

God is Good...

Lots to say...

First, congrats to Tammy and Ryan on the birth of their new baby boy, this morning at 7am (our time)! So exciting to see their family growing...

Second, my friend Kristin needs a 'House Husband'. Someone to fulfill the duties of a House Wife while she is away at work. Think you're up for it? Feel free to apply through a comment--she's an amazing woman, so I'll have to screen you before I pass you along to her...I need to decide if you're WORTHY to be an HH for my 16-year friend. You should know that I have extremely high expectations. Yeah, she's that great! haha!

Third, if I haven't told you already, I was offered a job in Hanford and Kingsburg...but decided to stay in Sanger. Most of my reason for choosing to stay was because I could see that God was answering my prayers and helping me begin to build relationships with people in my single's group (CE) at church. :-)

Well...God continues to develop and strengthen those relationships and is now providing for me some much needed fellowship. Yay! Last weekend I spent Saturday at the cabin, which I offered to Scott (one of the guys in CE) so that he could have his 40th birthday party up there. He rented two waverunners and about 30 people showed up to celebrate with him. We spent the day on the dock, swimming and riding the boats, then ordered pizza for dinner and spent some time at the cabin just hanging out...a great time! I'll post a picture in a bit. :-) This weekend I'm spending Friday morning in Emeryville and doing a little shopping at my favorite store (yay!). I hope to be home mid-afternoon and then I'm leaving with one of the girls in CE to head up to Shaver. My birthday (Saturday) is going to be spent hiking a trail up past Huntington Lake, the same trail that we are going to be backpacking next weekend. Fun! My new friends in CE have something planned Saturday night for me to help me celebrate the big 2-8...so I hope I'm not too tired from the 7 miles of hiking! :-)

Well, two weeks of summer school left...and then two weeks of vacation...then I start the new and exciting drama of teaching middle school. Stay tuned... :-)