Pioneer,
California
Ten Days to Go
The
scent of sage is definitely behind us and currently the sweet fragrances of
pine and cedar dominate in the Sierra Mountain range. The road, Hwy 88, is extremely and
wonderfully curvy, yet the ups and downs of the trail force different leg
muscles to be activated. I’m not as good
on the downs—my brakes aren’t the best.
I
mildly complained to the boys that I’m contending with the TT and the NS, the ‘terrible
tilt’ and ‘no shoulder’. Still, I find I
must adjust mentally, but the motorists are responsible drivers, always making
room for me.
One
motorist, Randy, saw me on Monday. Then
he saw me again. “Did you go all
night? Here!” He handed me some water
and a bag of trail mix.
Another
vehicle slowed down and came to a halt.
It’s a couple. “Is everything
alright? Do you need water?”
“Surely!” They give.
“Money?”
“It
helps.” They give $30.
“Some
herbs?” Something I’m supposed to smoke.
“I’ll
decline. Thanks!”
I
met a rare walker, shirtless, a couple of marks on the arm and torso, a tattoo;
the young guy is immersed in his mobile device.
We shake hands.
“Here’s
a mantra. Do you like walking?”
“It’s
very therapeutic.”
I
see a blue bird going from tree to tree.
I see and hear two dozen head of cattle, each one wearing a cow
bell. It’s nice. The clanging is continuous.
I
did not walk all night but rested with the boys in a motel room, and also
relaxed in a hot tub—much needed for the legs—with Hayagriva also submerged to
the waist while reading to me “Song of the Gopis,” from the book “Krishna.”
May
the Source be with you!
20
miles
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