Day 93 - Mild by Lorraine Stayed

I thought of this title during the first hike and wanted Bill to take a picture that encapsulated it. However, this photo was actually taken at Grouse Lake, before we nearly murdered and ate each other for the over 60% water in our bodies.

Lorraine Stayed

Because the first day ended up being anything but mild for me, I decided against using it. The second day, on the other hand, was incredibly mild, and therefore appropriate. I woke up to the sound of nothing, not immediately realizing where I was. The tent was made of a mostly a see-through mesh, so I was able to eventually grasp my location by the jutting granite rocks, and towering evergreen trees.

Our camp at Gem Lake

I got up feeling refreshed and revitalized. Most of the other campers at the lake had already left to continue their hikes, and I realized that Bill and I were likely alone. I stood up and did some stretches, while Bill warmed water for coffee and oatmeal. Just as I was beginning to really enjoy myself, the mountain across the way started to become less and less visible. Mother Nature's hazy smoke filter blurred out its trees and rocks, and the sky became an ugly grey.

As the sky darkened, both Bill and I complained about our breathing, and decided that there was no way we could hike anywhere today.

We'd chosen to hike Emigrant Wilderness because it was one of the only places not currently affected by all the forest fires in California. However, like the smoke rolling in, a black cloud hovered over our moods. We both became upset that our beautiful lakeside day was now going to be filled with hacking coughs and no views.

Just as we were grumbling and feeling sorry for ourselves, a ranger came by. We talked to him for a while, and asked about the smoke.

"Yeah, this is the worst I've seen it," He said. "Must be from a fire to the east. Hopefully it'll clear up later today."

At this moment in time, I couldn't imagine the smoke possibly clearing up. In my mind, the trip was ruined. I would be strapped to my inhaler, carrying a useless heavy camera for the rest of the trip.

However, shortly after the ranger left, I started to notice the trees on the mountain across the way. Then about an hour later, the sky became indisputably blue.

Bill and I rejoiced, and immediately took to the lake. Our decision to stay and hang out had not changed with the forecast.

We drank cocktails (whiskey with lemonade mix and water) on the shore of the lake as the sun, so hated yesterday, was now welcomed on my wet skin. I stared across the shore of the small lake, noticing not a single person. As an extrovert, I feared that I would be lonely on this trip, but the silence, like the sun, was so welcomed at this moment.

I realized, as I sat on a warm rock on the water's edge that I hadn't thought about work or any of my obligations back home at all today. I'd only thought of breakfast, lunch and dinner, and what was to be done in between.

Gem Lake