Happy Birthday to me.
Happy Birthday to me.
Happy Birthday to me.
Happy Birthday to me!
Two years ago my birthday was during a 20-day silent vipassana retreat.
Last year it was on the John Muir Trail.
This year it is on The Long Trail.
Notice any patterns here? Alone in a quiet place. Embraced by Silence and Nature. A few good people around who were not chosen by me to be there. All delicious!
I don’t take a single picture all day… Never crosses my mind.
So… a favorite from a prior day…
Sherman was curled up about 7 last night. I stopped typing and lay down at 8. We awake at 5:30. First light. 9.5 hours. I’m sleeping better. Seems to be in single deep sleep cycles. I’m in a dream from which I wake. Remembering some. Turn over and back asleep.
Wilson is up and out by 7, trying to make about 16 miles today. Jim is headed for the next shelter, about 8 miles, an estimated 5.5 hours. It’s supposed to rain from 4a-4p or 6a-6p depending on the forecast. It’s 7, and no rain. Jim head out about 7:30. I’m packing. I’m wondering. I’m hesitating. I’m getting a hit to stay put today. To have a birthday.
I love listening to the rain. It would be a present to self to just stay here and meditate, listen to the rain, write and nap. I’m about 70% into the stay feeling when it starts raining. In 5 minutes, it’s raining heavily. Now I’m in 100%. We’re spending the day. I hiked in the rain last year on the JMT on my birthday. I’d rather listen. We’ll have plenty of other opportunities to walk in the rain before we’re done. So, I unpack and organize for the day.
During a lull I go fill up the water containers. Then make, eat and cleanup breakfast. Sweep out the Camp. Then meditate for an hour sitting on the porch floor, listening to the rain, with Sherman looking and sniffing at the porch opening. I then setup the bed. Cut up one of my solid fuel block. It breaks into thirds. Make tea and sit down to write. Sherman looking and sniffing out the door.
About 1, my hiking friend Lyric comes walking into camp. Sherman remembers her and runs up wagging. She wags back.
She’d spent the night at Spruce Ledge Camp with a man — whose name I forgot — and Oliver, his dog — whose name I remember. When Sherman and Oliver met on the trail yesterday – us going SOBO and they going NOBO — the dogs danced and pranced for a good 5 minutes. The friendliest either had been with other dogs to date. Oliver and human had been North Bound (NOBO) for 20 days. About 3 days from finishing. We’ve been South Bound (SOBO) for a week with 4-5 weeks to go!
Lyric remembers it’s my birthday and says she doesn’t know if she has anything to give me. Very kind, but not necessary. She brightens and says she has a mini-jar of Nutella. How’s that!? I accept and say I may not eat the whole jar, but will accept number of spoonfuls. I gluttonously do eat about half the jar. Damn it’s good. And, damn its’ rich. Could be used as icing.
We spend the next few hours talking about hiking, life, dogs, rain, schools, sleeping bags, being cold, the delicious feeling of toweling off with stream water and the end of sticky (much worse than stinky), food, allergies, hiking your own hike. Now that’s a good metaphor for life, eh? Hike your own life. Live your own life.
About 3 we all take a nap. Sherman curled up in his favorite sleeping spot–between my legs. I wake about 4:30. Take Sherman for a walk. We both pee. He’s feeling contained. All day in the camp and on the porch except for bathroom walks. For a moment I feel guilty, then remember tomorrow we’ll both have the opportunity to hike a bit over 8 miles.
Sherman ate a big lunch and dinner. His first time doing that. My dinner… Here’s how I do it. This is a trick I learned reading one of the couple dozen hiking memoirs I’ve read.
I have a plastic peanut butter jar from Trader Joe’s. In the morning I put some dehydrated vegetables, grain and a couple tablespoons of either dried spicy soup or dried Miso, also from TJs. This fills the jar about half full. I then put enough hot water in the jar to cover this plus an inch. As I’m packing up to leave I fill the jar to within a half inch of the top with water. This soaks all day and mostly hydrates the veggies and grain. The process of heating it at night finishes the cooking. Tonight I added a squeeze packet of Peanut Butter to the soup. That’s dinner! As dinner’s heating, I put some of my oatmeal mix in the jar with water overnight and it just needs warming up in the morning. This saves a huge amount of fuel. Less to carry. Anytime I can carry less of something, it’s a VERY good thing!
I had a lovely birthday. Thank you world.
Happy Birthday Wyn!
Hi Wyn! Happy belated birthday. Nice to read of your travels from time to time. Love, Julie
Thanks Julie. Love hearing what you’re up to also!
Belated Happy Birthday, Wyn. Is this telling you something. I deeply enjoy your descriptions and photos. Sounds like quite mixture of experiences, and overall transcendent. Hugs to you both and may the wind stay at your back.
Cheers,
Jack
Happy Birthday, Wyn! I just wanted you to know that I’m still reading, just not commenting. I love your writing! Love your pictures! Keep hiking your hike! Love, Dwier
Happy birthday to you my friend.
I love that your feeding your soul and on this wonderful adventure.
I posted our vase. Did you see it?
I send you love and blessings on your journey,
Diane
Happy New Year to you ❤️
Your birthday (also Susan & Dad’s) passed me by in a haze of other focus’. Glad you had such a nice one.
Happy B Day, a few days late. We are almost solar twins…I’m Sept. 24. With Jupiter on our sun, this will be a good year, especially for traveling, as we both are! Cheerio from England!
Travelers we all are, eh? The road most traveled, or the road less traveled…
HBD Wyn…..crazy…can’t believe you are doing this! The Hiking Life. So brave!
Keep going buddy…salute to Sherman too!
Big Love,
C
We’ll see about “The Hiking Life.” Was in a camp with a woman who has been hiking for almost 3 years. Trail after trail after trail after trail. She said she wonders if there’s some underlying reason she can’t stop. Can’t take a break. You think? Love ya, .wyn
Happy Birthday dear Wyn,
You sound like you and Sherman are doing well so that is good news. I love the photos and how about a selfie or two? I wish you could send some rain our way, right now it’s 104!
My grandson Adam, 13, asked for your name and address. I sent it to him plus the fellow you suggested. Love to you on your special day!
Nancy
Thanks my dear. Love to hear from your grandson, Adam.
Happy Birthday Wyn! (a day late). You’ve been on my mind since I got back. For some reason the lines of “Happy birthday to me…” Reminds me of Pooh Bear in Winnie the Pooh (ha,ha). I enjoyed reading your blog and love the photos of your beautiful dog. Sounds like you are doing great and truly enjoying life! You are so blessed! I am very happy for you.
Delia
Thank you Delia. Miss the classes… You live a wonderful life too, my dear. Keep smiling…
Hi Wyn, I did send you silent rousing bday greetings on your special day, and here’s to a year ahead full of joy, wonder, great health and amazing loving. Hugs and blessings to you and Sherman, the most adorable one! Take good care and eat protien! Love, Nann