Saturday, August 6, 2011

8-6-11 Herman Gulch Meadows

 . . .the man who goes alone can start today; but he who travels with another must wait till that other is ready, and it may be a long time before they get off. . .

Poor Thoreau. Travelling with another may take more time and require more patience. 
But it is infinitely more fun along the journey.

We did manage to get off only half an hour after our target departure and were at the trailhead by 9:45. 


It would be well, perhaps, if we were to spend more of our days and nights without any obstruction between us and the celestial bodies. (21)


The first mile is the lung burner that Sammi and I undertook in June. Much warmer and no snow to stop us, we were huffing our way to the meadow at the top. We just slowed Nick down.


 but Nature is well adapted to our weaknesses as to our strength. (7)



Nick and Evan waited patiently for us at the end of the climb.


Sammi, on the other hand, was a little wiped out.


But the meadow! I was reminded of that moment in Bambi where he is so delighted by "the meadow!!"


All change is a miracle to contemplate; but it is a miracle which is taking place every instant. (8) 


To anticipate, not the sunrise and the dawn merely, but, if possible, Nature herself! . . . . It is true, I never assisted the sun materially in his rising, but, doubt not, it was of the last importance only to be present at it. (12-13)

Shall we always study to obtain more of these things, and not sometimes be content with less? . . . . I would rather sit in the open air, for no dust gathers on the grass. (27-28)



Evan took every opportunity to enjoy the cold streams. And so did I.


If, then, we would indeed restore mankind . . . let us first be as simple and well with Nature ourselves, dispel the clouds which hang over our own brows, and take up a little life into our pores. (63)



The temps were in the mid 70°s, the sun was glorious, the wildflowers at their peak. It was breathtaking.











We got to the next steep climb before heading back down. Next summer I am getting all the way to the lake.















Heading home, for lunch and a nap!


Until next time. . .






(all quotes are from the first chapter of Thoreau's Walden)

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