Click on pics to get the idea.
Back to the regular hike:
We remember not once but on two occasions when our dear editor called us, inter alia, a ‘wuss’. For those who are not familiar with such coarse and uncalled for language, she was intimating cowardice as we stood on a ledge quivering—we did not feel that brave. Sometimes it happens, particularly in the earlier days. Yesterday, when we thought she called us a ‘weed’, our patience was beginning to wear thin. How much ‘name-calling’ is a person expected to take.
It is with relief that she explained that the hike selected was close to the town of Weed. This made us feel much better but we still wondered if she was hinting at something. When she has the glint in her eye, we don’t know whether she is finding us ‘attractive’ (unusual) or wishing to tease. Whatever the answer, we did what at least the ‘wuss’ believes is one of the best all-round hikes ever. Funnily enough, it was approximately number two hundred since hike-about began some 16 months ago. The number seems fitting.
The trail is eleven miles long, which gives it substance, an elevation gain of 2,200 feet, most of it in only two miles making it strenuous, views of the southern cascade mountain range, which are staggering, the Trinity Alps, gorgeous, meadows and lakes. Finally, upon reaching the summit, Mount Shasta is there to greet and welcome the visitors on Mount Eddy. The face of one of the cliffs again portrayed the colors and textures that we recently mentioned of Haleakala in Maui. From a personal perspective, the energy level was high and we sauntered up that mountain trail with relative ease, which from certain angles had us wondering how it would reach the top. Mount Eddy is one of those places where there are too many wonderful things to observe in just one outing.
Not only was nature very attractive throughout the trail but we met fellow hikers who made the day particularly enjoyable. Shirley and Wendy from Ashland were at the summit when we arrived. These charming ladies were a real treat to meet and with which to discuss various issues. Coincidentally, Wendy has one granddaughter, Ailie who was born two days after our Ellie. She also shares the same name as our late sister. At the lake level, we met Cindy and John who offered us hospitality. Some days, it’s the people that make hike-about so special or add much more to it.
Shabbos in Shasta was terrific, relaxing and a little different. Firstly, the power of Devarim (Deuteronomy) can ‘knock one’s socks off’. What was different was that wedding guests filled the inn, including the bride. Shasta was excited or certainly our little corner of the world. It appears that many of the guests are southerners so there has been a lot of “y’alls” including a couple of “ye-haws”. It all adds to the color, amusement and the learning although we are wondering how it will affect tonight’s sleep once the partygoers return.
On Sunday, we are going to approach the lady, Mt Shasta, from another side, for another turn at her. It makes us think of a quote from another famous lady whom we admire who said, “This lady’s not for turning”—Dame Thatcher.
Cheers,
Jenni and Jeffrey
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