Day 73: Roughing it… not so much… (Part 3-The end)

 “Everybody needs beauty… places to play in and pray in where nature may heal and cheer and give strength to the body and soul alike.”

-John Muir

 

 

 

One arm stretched forward to be followed by both of my legs and then my green eyes opened to the view of tall pine trees and towering granite cliffs and domes.  I came to from my sleepy slumber and realized that if I stayed in bed just one more minute, I would be burning daylight!  It was the last half day in Yosemite and I had one more thing on my wish list to complete.

I slipped out of bed and again made myself look somewhat presentable, put my hair in a ponytail, slipped on my sandals and started on a journey to find my smile.  I made my way to the mezzanine for some hot coffee to take on my early morning walk in the forest.  I then walked down to the patio to take in the view.

As I stepped outside the first breath felt cool but without smoke.  The sky was still hazy but there in front of me was a deer grazing in the grass field.  I could hear the birds as they sang the early morning praises and so my walk began, slowly making sure to take in every leaf, flower, twig, and tree, as if to accept the power that emanated from their beauty.

 

As I walked I had so many thoughts that flooded my mind.  I was focusing on how the trip never did follow the plans that I had originally made, but the lessons along the way were many and priceless.  I thought about how some days we spend time making ourselves look beautiful, carefully picking out the right clothes and shoes, making sure our hair is just perfect and that the imperfections are covered up so no one can see them… and it was here at Yosemite where even the smoke in the sky and the sun hidden by clouds could not make me think any less of this natural wonder.  Why don’t we value ourselves in the same way?

The trees bent in the wind, the granite cliffs and domes stood with confidence and a sense of mighty importance, the flowers with some petals missing still had a radiant glow… their beauty came from what they stood for, their strength, their resilience, their composure through the conditions and storms they have weathered.  I thought about the stairs that I climbed yesterday and how some steps had a sure foot plant and others were more questionable.  With care, caution, confidence and determination, I made it to the top of a 2000 ft. climb with a glorious view no one and nothing could have the ability to lessen in that moment.  I thought about how some plans just don’t work the way they were intended and in their place a new path is sometimes just meant to be.

 

It seems more often than not, we let life rush by leaving not even a moment to appreciate the simple things like a quiet river that flows gently under an old stone bridge or listening to the birds and their sweet morning songs or a walk in the forest on soft pine needles.  No, some days are consumed by lists of things to do and over-committed schedules where breathing almost becomes optional.  Would I have had the opportunity to take a walk in the woods next to a river being surrounded by towering granite cliffs and contemplate the cosmos had I been sleeping in a tent as I originally planned?  Probably not.  And so I stood and looked out at the river and made some promises.  I promised that the next time my plan falls apart, I will view it as no less than a gift, because life is about bending in the breeze and not breaking.  I promised that even if a dark cloud decides to take up residence above, I will make my own light to show me the way.  I promised that when it seems like I am lost or confused, to trust in something bigger than myself, that what is meant to be will be.  I promised to continue to live this life with every intention of appreciating all that is left to experience, for however long I am here.  Heavy sigh…  And on the heels of that very serious thought, there was a sense of urgency to return to the hotel.

My body was begging for a run in the woods, something I have never done before.  I saw a sign that “Mirror Lake” was just a couple of miles away, and a 4 mile round-trip run would be perfect!  Yes, as if the feet couldn’t move fast enough, I made my way back along the path to the Ahwahnee Hotel.   It was around 8am and I knew I needed to get going as check-out was at noon.  I quickly changed into my running gear, slipped on my runners and decided I would go unplugged.  With a spark in my soul, I made my way back to the patio where I would begin my running adventure!  Yes, my first true trail run and today, it would take place in the forest at Yosemite… could it get any better than that?

Off I went, following the signs and the riverside pine needle path to Mirror Lake.  The knee was doing well as I made sure to be careful with every step.  I passed the edge of a campground and through the woods I ran.  As I entered deeper into the forest I kept my head in constant motion watching for deer, bear and even the possibility of a mountain lion!  I relished every soft step, making sure to remember every tree root I jumped over, every step I had to climb and the freedom to run through the woods with wild abandon.  I could remember not so long ago, when a run would not have been possible and I have come such a distance that I had to remind myself I wasn’t invincible, just fortunate!

 

 

 

I had reached the top of a climb and suddenly there in front of me a horse became spooked and neighed at the sight of me. A trail ride was in progress and I had to wait as the procession of ten horses made their way down the steep stairs that led to Mirror Lake.   When it was clear for me to proceed, I ran past the line of horses as they all looked at me longingly, as if they wished they could break free from the reigns and find their stride.  Somehow, I knew exactly what they were missing.

 

 

As I followed the signs, I came to an abrupt stop with a definite look of confusion which melted into disappointment.  Yes, I had arrived at Mirror Lake, but due to the drought, the lake was now a puddle.  Hmmm… how do I handle this one, I thought?  Mirror Lake acquired its name from the fact that you should be able to photograph the water and capture the reflection of the face of the princess in half dome.

So, I stood and thought for a moment and I stepped into the moist mud, bent down, twisted one arm and angled the other. No one said that a puddle couldn’t create a reflection.  No, Mirror Lake was not what I had hoped it would be, but if I knew that, would I have even embarked on a trail run in the forest?  No… probably not.  Yes, a puddle had me grinning ear-to-ear, because the journey that took me there was so much greater!

It was time to return as I needed to still shower and pack.  There was a second trail that was paved that I decided to take back.  I knew the general direction of the hotel, but the trail was unfamiliar yet the allure of the challenge was hard to resist.  I knew I had to keep the river on my left and I knew that I had run past a campground, and I could recognize the granite cliffs that I passed on the way to see Mirror Lake.  So with knowing a couple of orienteering landmarks, and the trail taking me downhill, I found myself flying without a care in the world and a smile on my face!

Suddenly, I arrived at a fork in the road that I did not recognize.  I took but a second and made a decision to go left without the consultation of my natural surroundings.  I began to run and realized I was heading deep into the forest….  Deeper…. Farther…. Even farther…. Soon, I started to feel apprehensive as the trail split off again.  My pace slowed and the concern and fear started to seep into my mind like the beginning of a bad dream.  I felt as if I were having an out-of-body experience, where my mind said, “You are lost!” but my body did not register any warning signal as it just kept running.  Eight long minutes had passed and I knew that I was way off course.  My ego struggled with my lips to form that admission, but thankfully my brain stepped in sent the last and final order to “STOP!”  I looked around and nothing seemed remotely familiar.  The forest was thick and the skyline was nowhere to be seen.  My iPhone had only 20% charge left and I had to finally admit I was lost in the woods in Yosemite.  My heart rate increased a bit and I couldn’t get the iPhone map to load because I didn’t have internet coverage.  So, I started to retrace my steps.  I became a little more confused because I realized I didn’t pay that close of attention to where I was to know where I was supposed to be going.  “Argh!!!”

Before I knew it I came across a paved road and at first thought, I wanted to follow the road as it seemed like the safest route, but decided the surest way to get back would be to make sure the river was on my left side as I knew I was still a good 2-3 miles away from the hotel.  I made a decision to head west as I knew that I should run into the river at some point.  After about a couple of minutes there it was, but it did not look in the slightest bit familiar.  I had to stick to my original plan because the river was the key to getting me back, this much I had faith in.  I followed the river and before I knew it I had reached a campground and I knew I was getting closer even though I had not run through the campground, but rather around it on my way to Mirror Lake.  I was hesitant to stop and ask for directions as I thought it would admit my weakness.  So, as I ran through the campground all the campers were shocked to see someone running fast and they cheered me on as if I were in a race.  Saying, “You go girl!” and “Good morning Speedy!” I didn’t know what to say, except to smile and wave!!!  I suppose I was running a bit fast as I knew check-out was at noon and I was running late and feeling lost. I pulled a Forrest Gump, ran as fast as I could and apparently others noticed my speedy effort.

Suddenly… the path along the river just ended!  I was stuck with thick brush ahead and not knowing what to do.  I took a deep breath and as if someone were whispering in my ear, I heard in my heart, “Just trust the plan and follow the river.” I paused, but knew not to question it… I took some careful steps forward into the brush, watching carefully for snakes and other critters, but there were none. I then forged forward and came to a small foot bridge that took me over a tiny creek that fed into the river.  The bridge took me away from the river just slightly, but I made sure to keep the water view within sight.  For the next 5 min I ran following a path I had never been on, but knew the river ran alongside me.  Then I saw the sign from my morning walk that inspired me to embark on my trail run to Mirror Lake!  I let out a loud and excited, “YES!!!” and as if the wind were back in my sails I ran with a smooth glide, a sense of relief and a magnificent feeling of accomplishment followed by a smile that I had no intention of letting go!!!

Within minutes I had arrived at the stately Ahwahnee Hotel and saw people enjoying their delightful breakfast on the patio looking at me as if to think, “Oh look, she just returned from a vigorous run.”  Little did they know where the path in the woods had taken this adventurous spirit today!

The trip came to its conclusion as I turned my key in.  And as I drove away, my mind went back and revisited every unplanned detail of the trip, every step and misstep taken, every view recorded, every lesson learned and every last detail I logged away.  I learned a lot on this trip with the overriding theme seeming to be “Bending not breaking, trusting blindly, going slowly, appreciating black and white, relaxing not rushing, going with the flow, not giving up…. Yes, not giving up, even when lost in the woods in the middle of a National Park!”  I found myself not wanting to leave and making a promise to return when the smoke has cleared and the skies are blue.  Next time, this city girl will rough it, but if the powers that be have me staying at the Ahwahnee Hotel again, I can’t say, I will go against the grain. I will remind myself that some things are just meant “2B”!

Alas, the drive home had begun and a couple of questions continued to burn like the wildfires still smoldering in the woods, “How did this National Park come to be and who was responsible for its foundation and preservation?  I felt compelled to know who had the foresight and determination for protecting and preserving this natural wonder as it truly was a gift and an honor to have visited!   Hmmm… still so much to ponder and research, but for now, those burning questions would have to wait until I returned home.

Feeling satisfied, enriched, fortunate, and still ever more curious… wondering what tomorrow will bring…