Beauty and Bread: Views from John Muir's Range of Light: Mea Culpa, Mea Culpa, Mea Maxima Culpa

When I started blogging, not that long ago, I promised myself that I would post regularly--my goal was at least three times a week. For a while it worked, then I caught the galloping crud (or whatever it was) and lost all energy, at least for writing. I did find enough strength to make an expedition out to the Sierra Vista Scenic Byway, a journey to Yosemite Valley and yet another out to the Yosemite High Country. But I didn't have energy enough to write.

By some miracle best-friend Betty, who lives in Israel, caught me online today and said, "what's the matter? Got writer's block? I've been watching for a new post for WEEKS!" It pleased me more than you can imagine that she looks for my posts--and made me feel guilty as well.

The trek out to the Yosemite High Country (Olmstead Point, Tenaya Lake, Tuolumne Meadows) was extra-special because my companions were roommate Carol, daughter Farida and favorite grandson Hunter. It was Farida's and Hunter's first view of my favorite part of the park, and I loved showing it to them. What made it even better is that Farida was a geology major in college and delighted in describing all the geologic features and processes that shaped this incredible place. I confess that I don't remember all the terminology, except for "cryobiotic soil" . But this place has always fascinated me, and I want to know even more.

These boulders are "glacial erratics," left in place by the glaciers as they moved through the Valley.

That big hunk of granite in the background is called Clouds Rest and has been a hiking target of mine for several years. It's a 14-mile round trip from the Sunrise trailhead to the summit, and the views are supposed to be incredible. The summit, at 9,930 feet, is higher than the summit of Half Dome.

This area of Yosemite National Park is chock-full of granite domes and magnificent peaks just begging to be explored.

What I most enjoyed, however, was watching Hunter play. He may be a budding rock climber, based on the way he tackled the boulders he came across.

What I would most like is to be able to share with him my very favorite mountain hike of all time--Mt Dana, right at the eastern entrance to Yosemite. The second-highest peak in the park, it rises to a magnificent height of 13,056 feet. I confess I didn't make it to the top, but I came fairly close--probably within 100 vertical feet. The talus boulders at the top were just too large for my short legs to negotiate. But I did get to the point where I could see the Dana Glacier and Couloir as well as Mono Lake and the Kuna Crest. It is quite amazing to start a hike with mountains towering around you--and end up at a height ABOVE them. It is at once humbling and empowering. I really hope to be able to share that feeling with Hunter and impart to him the love I have for mountains--any mountains.