The Chinese calendar declares 2012 to be the Year of the Dragon. I declare it the Year of the Draggin’. Rats! That was yesterday when my Wednesday trekking buddies decided to hike a trail to Crags Lake, nestled at the base of Chaos Crags in Mt. Lassen National Park.
The hardier bodies forged ahead and waited “up” the trail. Some of us, who shall remain unnamed because by-golly-Wally at least we were out there, began to fall behind. Before last year I was one of those abler bodies. Now I’m not. What a drag! Or so I thought until I discovered the slower pace held treats of its own. Like sweet glimpses of life on the trail.
and a view any cafe would hunger after…
and best of all, friends, old and new. Friends not afraid to tackle volcanic land containing fiery breath as fierce as any dragon.
Gayle & Ardith: Dragons!
Nature lifted my spirit higher than my legs yesterday, and I completed the hike. I may have been draggin’ on the outside, but I was dragon on the inside. My friend Ardith completed it, too. She and I were both born in the Chinese Year of the Dragon 60 years ago. ROAR!
How about you? Which of your friends walk the trail with you,uncertain of the ultimate destination, slowing to your pace when the going gets tough, pointing out the sweetness that can still be found along the way no matter how hard the struggles?
If you have found such a friend, you are blessed. If you are such a friend, you are doubly blessed.
What adventures have you shared together? What adventures are yet to come?
What adventures will remind you that you may be draggin’ on the outside, but dragon on the inside?
Thank you for joining me on adventure! If you like The Sweet Life: La Dolce Vita, I invite you to “Like” it and become a subscriber by clicking on the box at the upper right hand corner of this post. You will receive emails informing you of new posts. It’s free! Also feel free to click on any other icon or box you are curious about. You can’t hurt anything, and I won’t tell!
Comments are encouraged but not graded. 🙂
Gayle, as always, you’re such an inspiration and reminder to enjoy the sweet life.
Thanks, Ann. Every day is such a gift waiting to be opened! What will you find today?
loving all your posts XX
Sweet! Love that you join me from New Zealand!
Hi Gayle, I understand the draggin. I had an appendectomy 6 weeks ago and have lost my energy. This last weekend I went camping with my daughter, son, and two grandaughters. We hiked a 5 mile trail that was mostly up. About 3/4 of the way my grandaughters and I gave up and went back. I was so glad I had them to give me a reason for turning around. Everything was beautiful (Big Trees State Park in Calaveras County), but sometimes you just have to say enough, before you collapse. The next day we did a shorter hike that was flatter and we did fine. Think of you often.
Thanks Sandy,
These bodies of ours are just like a woman–they do what they want to!
Glad to hear you’re recovering. And glad to hear you’re out on the trail! Can’t wait to see your paintings of the Big Trees.