“The Mountains Are Calling and I Must Go” Photo Credit: Giuseppe Vicente First Snowfall 2015 These words by famous explorer John Muir greet the traveler upon entering Mammoth Lakes, California. Nestled in the Eastern Sierras, about 35 minutes south of the eastern entrance to Yosemite National Park, Mammoth Mountain is a world-class winter wonderland. This … Continue reading Local’s Guide to Mammoth
Armed with a couple of maps and a highlighter, Joey and I took off for a rambling ride through northern California and Oregon for my nephew's wedding on Oshala Farm in Applegate Valley, Oregon. We passed sad, tiny towns that had more closed than open businesses before reaching Susanville, a place I've always wanted to … Continue reading A Rambling Ride – Day One
I’m climbing to the top of that mountain,” my daughter Ali said, her bright blue eyes staring fixedly at the peak. Inwardly I groaned, knowing that I would be hiking alongside her if that hike is what she wanted. This specific peak would give us a breathtaking view of the Sierra Crest and a panorama … Continue reading A Long Walk Home
The ceremony began with a throbbing drumbeat, calling the women to the parade. Women waved flags of vibrant colors; three twenty-foot paper mache puppets followed: Maiden, Mother, then Crone. The musicians shook rattles, banged drums and sang; the crones shook their bells and brandished the brooms they had made in a special circle earlier in … Continue reading A Goddess Come of Age
She wore a bubble gum pink shirt, carried a backpack that towered above her head and held a sign under the lights of the corner gas station in Independence. Billions of stars illuminated the darkened sky. She’s by herself at night, I thought. I want her safe even though I don’t know her. I made … Continue reading Ebb and Flow
The only way I know how to let go of consistent worry about security, should have’s of the past and could be’s of the future is to completely freefall into the flow of life. I am learning my only guarantee for joy is to show up fully present in each moment. Last Saturday, Joey and … Continue reading No Plans. Know Joy.
“The healthy social life is found when, in the mirror of each human soul the whole community finds its reflection..And when, in the community, The virtue of each one is living.” – Rudolph Steiner What could I be learning from applying for 32 jobs in 75 days? How many positions for which I am qualified? … Continue reading Marry Your Wild Self
We cracked open a beer when we hit the dirt road. Joey threw the truck into four-wheel drive and we crawled over rocks, climbing the hill, then dropping into a landscape of meadows, evergreen pine trees, leafless aspen, a winding creek and snowy mountains on the other side of a narrow valley. As the screech … Continue reading Mountain Love
Skyler and I drove passed farming towns, orchards of almond trees and agricultural fields on the way to University of the Pacific based on an invitation from the head soccer coach. We drove Highway 99 instead of Interstate 5 to show him an alternate route as proof of my need to teach him to be … Continue reading It’s Not Easy to Let Go
Sharp switchbacks and steep inclines make the Sonora Pass Highway a difficult road for RVs and motorists traveling through the Eastern Sierras. Most take Highway 120 through Yosemite Valley to see El Capitan and Bridal Falls amongst crowds of tourists, leaving this more northerly but equally pristine alpine highway nearly deserted for more than 70 … Continue reading Sonora Pass Highway 108 – The Road Less Traveled