A Moment Alone

A Moment Alone
            Though challenging, we’ve managed a few cabin overnights with my severely autistic son. When not busy with camp chores, we explore nearby trails.
            I rarely get to hike on my own. On one cabin-stay hike, my son, husband and hiking buddy/helper lagged behind. 
            I looked back to see if they were catching up. They weren’t. The peak we’d eyed on the trail map was ahead of me and I wasn’t giving up.
            I tried texting. Cell connections went in and out.
            They knew I’d go to the peak, come hell or high water, and I knew my son was in safe hands.
            I eagerly chugged uphill so as not to strand them for long. At every turn of the trail, I realized the peak was farther away than it looked five minutes earlier. There was not a soul other than our crew on almost two miles of trail.
            A wooded tree tunnel offered a shady break from the sunny open fire road. There was an eerie silence as I approached the dark woodsy path. Evidence of a predator’s meal, bits of fluffy fur clinging to bones, stuck out from some leaves.
            Feeling spooked, I forced myself to plunge through the dark patch. I had to push through one last uphill grind to get to the top.
            The peak was isolated and stunning. 
            I took a rare breath alone, looking out at the world from above 1400 feet. The moving patterns formed by sun and breezy shadows were mesmerizing. 
            That short time away from life’s cares was a treasure money can’t buy. For some of us, even a few minutes of respite time is hard to come by. All of us should give ourselves the gift of stopping our world from turning, if only for a moment.
            This week’s Hike Notes introduce a hike to Barnabe Peak from Madrone Camp in Samuel P. Taylor State Park. 
            Please feel free to share. If you’re not able to take one of these Northern California hikes, hopefully you can enjoy the photos!
            The list of hikes is getting long! Please check the Quick View Hike List or scroll down the main Hikes page to see the current list of hike notes.
New this week:
Hike Notes 57: Barnabe Peak from Madrone Camp