Take a hike....
A friend and I decided to start a hiking club. We figured why not? We are only an hour away from the mountains, two away from the coast. National Parks are our backyard. Doesn't matter that I was the only one in the club who isn't a member of her church - they all were respectful and delightful to be around and there was no uncomfortable expectations of becoming part of their church clan.
We decided to head up to Sequoia National Park and hike the Marble Falls trail. Marble Falls is named after the ribbon of marble ingrained throughout it. The trail is 7.8 miles roundtrip with an elevation of 2,000 feet. Going uphill not so fun, especially since it's been so hot, in the hundreds actually, but we were smart, started in the early a.m. The actual waterfall was worth all the heat, mosquito bites (I counted, I have 17 - and I wore insect repellent!), and the trudging uphill. I felt lucky enough I didn't have any ticks on me, three people in our group did. Plus it isn't everyday you see a rattlesnake and two poisonous king snakes.
Just sitting by the rushing water, I instantly felt at peace. It's not often I feel that way, so I savored every moment of it. Left the group, sat on a rock, and just let myself be. Was lost in thought for about an hour when my friend decided to find me to head back. Downhill was beautiful, a variety of butterflies and wildflowers everywhere. How can I not love where I am? How can I not be grateful to be alive?
Anyway, some pictures...
On the way, about ten minutes from our destination.
Only a partial view of the beautiful Marble Falls.
The view from where I was sitting.
On the way down.
We decided to head up to Sequoia National Park and hike the Marble Falls trail. Marble Falls is named after the ribbon of marble ingrained throughout it. The trail is 7.8 miles roundtrip with an elevation of 2,000 feet. Going uphill not so fun, especially since it's been so hot, in the hundreds actually, but we were smart, started in the early a.m. The actual waterfall was worth all the heat, mosquito bites (I counted, I have 17 - and I wore insect repellent!), and the trudging uphill. I felt lucky enough I didn't have any ticks on me, three people in our group did. Plus it isn't everyday you see a rattlesnake and two poisonous king snakes.
Just sitting by the rushing water, I instantly felt at peace. It's not often I feel that way, so I savored every moment of it. Left the group, sat on a rock, and just let myself be. Was lost in thought for about an hour when my friend decided to find me to head back. Downhill was beautiful, a variety of butterflies and wildflowers everywhere. How can I not love where I am? How can I not be grateful to be alive?
Anyway, some pictures...
On the way, about ten minutes from our destination.
Only a partial view of the beautiful Marble Falls.
The view from where I was sitting.
On the way down.
1 Comments:
Love the pictures...can't wait to see this place someday.
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