July 30, 2012
Lassen National Park
Summit Lake to Rainbow Lake
6.8 Miles!
Today was one of Bee's biggest mileage days ever! She went further than I think she ever hiked before. And it was a tough day for her. It was a really tough day for her. As she lays beside me in the tent.... snug as a bug in a rug... and happy as well.... I am glad today is done. Bee struggled mentally...which lead to her physical struggle for 85-90% of the day. It was a hard day for her.
She just couldn't get into a rhythm all day on the trail. The ups were hard... The downs hurt. It was hot.
It was a tough day. Marena and Casey had a great day. Marena was the toughest I've seen her yet. She was an inspiration to both Bee and myself!!! Bee had a tough day. She spilled food on her shirt and I felt so bad for her teary eyes that had been working and trying so hard all day. She just couldn't work her way out of her funk. Until we got in the tent. She wrote in her journal while snuggling with me. The kisses and hugs were yummy. She was a love bug. She sang beautiful songs and then watched me type this as her eyes fluttered open and closed. It was a hard day. But tomorrow is another day. She will be ready. She will do great. She's my little backpacker and I love her with all my heart and soul.
Peace, Love, Courage..
July 31, 2012
Lassen National Park
Rainbow Lake to a small unnamed lake south of Little Bear Lake
6.2 Miles
Slept in till 8:15 and the Feickerts were still snoozing. It was a beautiful morning with very few mosquitoes. Walked the mile back to the PCT identifying wildflowers the entire time. We came across Coyote Mint, Penstimon, Paintbrush, and more! We first headed to Feather Lake and took a nice rest before heading on to Silver Lake. We stopped for lunch there and a quick swim that felt SO good! We headed on from there to Big Bear Lake and Little Bear Lake where we stayed last summer on this loop. This year we decided to push further and climbed the BIG hill out of Little Bear up to the ridge below Hat Mountain. After about a mile and a half we ended up at a small unnamed lake we had remembered loving last year. It's setting is spectacular! It sits in a depression about 50 feet from the trail. All sides are elevated giving it a very unique look and feel. Swimming to the middle was amazing. Had dinner....played some cards as a group of 4 in one tent and LAUGHED! We laughed so hard we nearly cried! Bee had a much stronger day today. I think it's a bit harder for her to hike with others and still "hike her own hike." As the day went on she figured it out more and more and I got better and understanding (and trying not to respond to) her need to vocally express her struggles as she walked. Bee and I are continuing to learn each others rhythms out in the wild. Everyone is different and everyone reacts to things differently. Bee needs to continue to learn to be tough and make it through the hard times. I need to continue to learn to give her the time and space to learn. She's 8 and doing things not many 8 year-olds could do. I need to continue to remember that and to gently encourage, praise, and love her every step of the way!!!!!!!!!!!
Peace, Love, Courage.....
Lassen National Park
Summit Lake to Rainbow Lake
6.8 Miles!
Today was one of Bee's biggest mileage days ever! She went further than I think she ever hiked before. And it was a tough day for her. It was a really tough day for her. As she lays beside me in the tent.... snug as a bug in a rug... and happy as well.... I am glad today is done. Bee struggled mentally...which lead to her physical struggle for 85-90% of the day. It was a hard day for her.
She just couldn't get into a rhythm all day on the trail. The ups were hard... The downs hurt. It was hot.
It was a tough day. Marena and Casey had a great day. Marena was the toughest I've seen her yet. She was an inspiration to both Bee and myself!!! Bee had a tough day. She spilled food on her shirt and I felt so bad for her teary eyes that had been working and trying so hard all day. She just couldn't work her way out of her funk. Until we got in the tent. She wrote in her journal while snuggling with me. The kisses and hugs were yummy. She was a love bug. She sang beautiful songs and then watched me type this as her eyes fluttered open and closed. It was a hard day. But tomorrow is another day. She will be ready. She will do great. She's my little backpacker and I love her with all my heart and soul.
Peace, Love, Courage..
July 31, 2012
Lassen National Park
Rainbow Lake to a small unnamed lake south of Little Bear Lake
6.2 Miles
Slept in till 8:15 and the Feickerts were still snoozing. It was a beautiful morning with very few mosquitoes. Walked the mile back to the PCT identifying wildflowers the entire time. We came across Coyote Mint, Penstimon, Paintbrush, and more! We first headed to Feather Lake and took a nice rest before heading on to Silver Lake. We stopped for lunch there and a quick swim that felt SO good! We headed on from there to Big Bear Lake and Little Bear Lake where we stayed last summer on this loop. This year we decided to push further and climbed the BIG hill out of Little Bear up to the ridge below Hat Mountain. After about a mile and a half we ended up at a small unnamed lake we had remembered loving last year. It's setting is spectacular! It sits in a depression about 50 feet from the trail. All sides are elevated giving it a very unique look and feel. Swimming to the middle was amazing. Had dinner....played some cards as a group of 4 in one tent and LAUGHED! We laughed so hard we nearly cried! Bee had a much stronger day today. I think it's a bit harder for her to hike with others and still "hike her own hike." As the day went on she figured it out more and more and I got better and understanding (and trying not to respond to) her need to vocally express her struggles as she walked. Bee and I are continuing to learn each others rhythms out in the wild. Everyone is different and everyone reacts to things differently. Bee needs to continue to learn to be tough and make it through the hard times. I need to continue to learn to give her the time and space to learn. She's 8 and doing things not many 8 year-olds could do. I need to continue to remember that and to gently encourage, praise, and love her every step of the way!!!!!!!!!!!
Peace, Love, Courage.....