Christmas 2016

December 2016

Did you miss us last year? Hopefully we are not setting a new Duran tradition but will resume our every year Christmas newsletter-there are pictures from both years included. We did have a lot happen, and had fully intended to write a letter to you. More about that in this letter. But be content to know that Sherri and I, and the kids are doing well.

A highlight of this year was going to Hawaii, the Big Island, with our kids-Andrea, Steven and Rachel. For the past three years they have been increasingly jealous of Gary going over there with his brother. In late June, we spent three days in Hilo. There we experienced the Kings Bath, Lava Trees-where lava have encased a tree leaving rock but no tree, Volcano National Park, and Rainbow and Akaka Falls. One of our enclosed pictures is from Rainbow Falls. Then we continued on to Kona where we stayed at Kevin's condo for a week. The kids ran a half marathon and went snorkeling for the first time (You might say they took to it like a fish to water). But there is more to our trip than water and running. We went up to the Mauna Kea visitor center at the 9,000' level-it is 13,800' mountain. Also saw the Pulolo Valley, where much of The Lost World: Jurassic Park was filmed. So much more done and want to do.

Life is not all fun. In August 2015, Gary's father passed away. He was 93 and his life was full of his family, adventure, and helpfulness. After his passing, Gary's mom came to live with us. There has been much to get used to. We are adapting and still have a lot to learn.

With the help of many people, Sherri and Gary were able to take a couple of other trips as well. Last February we went with Andrea to visit Gary's brother David in Denver. We did the usual winter Colorado activities: cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and eating-David is one fine cook. Since we drove, on the way back, we found a new place to fall in love with: Black Canyon ofthe Gunnison.

Then in November, we spent a week in Seattle. We took Amtrak up and back-a good way to travel. For the rest of the trip, we walked all around central Seattle. The Washington Park Arboretum, Chihuly Glass Gardens and the EMP Museum were places which captivated us. We will need to get used to a bit more wetness so we can spend more time there.

Since retirement. Gary and Sherri have been walking half marathons. Even the kids have have joined us on occasion the last few years. The other enclosed picture is from a 2015 half marathon which Team Duran completed, along with another family half marathon in 2016. We are all signed up for The ClassicCalifornia in 2017-for a half marathon. Also Rachel has challenged Sherri, Andrea, and Steven to do the 60 mile bike ride this year, upping the freeway ride from 35 miles. Must get in some training. 

 

Sherri continues to enjoy her cycling, even though the Women on Wheels group ended in 2015. The group has morphed into a great group called Stevens LadiesClub. Sherri has ridden every Tuesday night with Leslie, a friend, as well as some longer rides on Saturday to prepare for the annual October Valley Girls Rides. Sherri also enjoyed a ride in CoalingaWest Hills ride, which goes up Los Gatos Canyon Road. This year achievement: Sherri did not walk but pedaled up the hills-yeah!!!

 

We continue to hike, but not as much-taking care of Gary's mom digs into the time. We had planned a return to our epic hike of 2013-the John Muir Trail. But this time with four of our friends: Rose, Sonya, Kate and Kim. But only two did complete a substantial part of the the Trail-not us. We only did four days from Glacier Point to Tuolumne Meadows. But as a compensation prize, we went on a Yosemite over-nighter with Sonya and did a five day trip into Woodchuck Country with Rose. We also continue to hike with the Central Valley Hiking Group but the number of times out there has dropped. When we get a chance, we love hiking with John and Cathey's mid-week group.

We have not added anything new to our repertoire of activities: Taking care of Mom; being in the fire lookout; our book groups; and house church-are all very satisfying to us. We were not able to get into the lookouts early year and when we did, only Delilah was available. Still a day up there provides us with a better frame of mind. On our last day this year we helped to confirm the location of the Sacata Fire. We actually do two books clubs each month: our church's and our OSHER group. Both provide a lot of cerebral stimulus. Then our house church. If we count it up right, we have been in this group for 30 years. Close bonds with much love and caring goes on between all the families in this group.

You have already gotten some hints of what is going on with our kids. Andrea continues to teach third grade-she was fifth grade at our last newsletter-at the same school she has been at for the past four years. Also she and Rachel have been running marathons and half marathons together. Steven is a senior at Fresno State in Computer Science. He has taken on many hours of caring for his grandmother. He has done this with tenderness and love towards her. Rachel is an accountant at a firm which provides services to non-profits. Also she is in raising money for AIDS/LifeCycle. In June she is riding 545 miles from Los Angeles to San Francisco in support of this group.

Strange as it may seem, death is on my mind during this Christmas season. As I write this, I am in mourning over the loss of a friend and Sherri with a beloved uncle-a feeling of hollowness. Today my back East cousin noted that Aren't we all just a little hollow inside. Isn't that the point of this Holiday season , to try to fill the "hollowness" in all of us? To this I say Amen. St Paul note that getting full is not something you figure out, but but rather through what Christ has already gone through for you. As we go through this season, if you are empty, look to the reason why we have Christmas. If you are already content, share joy and love with those who need it. May you find a place of wonder and peace in your soul.

If you want to read more about our adventures, see:

• Trails and stuff: http://gary-summer.blogspot.com/
• Gary's Book Blog: http://garys-books.blogspot.com/
  

  
  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  

  El Capitan

  
  

  

  Half Dome

  
  

  

  Mirror Lake

  

  Gary Hiking

  
  

  

  Balancing Rock

  
  

  
  

  

  Sunset at Delilah

  
  

  

  Delilah Lookout

  
  

  

  Gary looking for a smoke

  
  

  

  Bottom of Delilah

  
  

  

  Gary and Sherri

  
  

  

  Yosemite Valley

  
  

  

  Merced River

  

  Night Sky

  
  

  

  Morning Glory

  
  

  

  Sunset Silhouette

  
  

  

  Sherri, Rose and Gary by Crown Pass

  
  

  

  Woodchuck Lake

  

  Matthes Comb

  

  Tressider Peak

  

  Trying to backpack at the dump: Sony, Sherri, Gary

  

  Sherri with Half Dome

  

  El Capitan from Taft Point

  

  Bridalveil Creek

  

  Top of Nevada Falls

  

  Illilouette Creek

  

  On the train

  

  Waterfall Gardens in Seattle

  

  Seattle's Columbia Center

  

  Seattle Central Library

  

  Space Needle at night

  

  Old road in Yosemite

  

  Lighting up the evening sky

  

  Is this a tribble?

  

  Pond in Washington Park Arboretum

  

  Washington Park Arboretum

  

  Chihuly Garden glass ceiling

  

  Chihuly Garden

  

  Chihuly Garden

  

  Chihuly Garden

  

  Chihuly Garden

  

  Space Needle from Olympic Sculpture Park

  
  

  

  Woodchuck Country
  
  
  
  
  
  

November 19, 2016 - A Different Wawona Meadow Hike

Title: November 19, 2016 - A Different Wawona Meadow Hike
Hike Info : Description :  Background :  Extra Photo's  : Flowers and Plants

Trail head: Wawona Parking Lot

Hike Info:

Type: Hiking

Trail: Old Raymond Rd, Mt Savage Rd, Connector Trail, Wawona Meadow Trail

Destination:South Entrance Guard Station
Actual Destination:Close to South Entrance Guard Station

Distance:  9.29 miles

Start Time:11:55

End Time:  5:12

Travel Time:  5:17  (1.76 mph)

Moving Time:  3:58  (2.34 mph)

Elevation Rise:  1,461'

Maximum Elevation: 5,133'

GPS Tracks

Description:

Some trails you hike because of the destination, others you hike because of the journey. Today's hike is about the journey. But there is also a bonus. As  Annie Dillard says, Beauty and grace are performed whether or not we will or sense them. The least we can do is try to be there. At the end of the hike, we do have our moment of glory.

 We do not need to get too early of a start. But maybe getting started before 10 would have been better-so that we would get back before dark. On the other hand, we would have missed the main event. We stop briefly in Oakhurst for a donut and coffee. Then it is off to Wawona. At the entrance station, I get in the wrong line, but that is not bad. By the time our feet hit the ground and are ready to hike, it is noon.

Mt Savage Road

We decide we will eat after walking a ways. The first part of our hike is up the old Raymond Road. I am guessing this is one of the oldest road in Yosemite as this is how tourists first came to Wawona before going on to the Valley. The first part has a pretty good incline. We pass a family with with several kids enjoying the hike, as well as having target practice with some rocks. And that was the last of anybody which we would see for the next four hours.

Chilinuaha Creek Area

A short ways further, we come to where the road around Mt Savage Road meets up with the Old Raymond Road. Actually there is a another road cutting which meets up with our road earlier, but we went up to the top cut off there along this other road. We then start our trip around Mt Savage The incline is not as much and the road is all covered with leaves. Just nice and serene. Nothing which you would point to and say to someone, “You need to hike this.” On the other hand, I am attracted to this road, one is cut off from traffic and only a few people walk it.

 

Mt Savage From Wawona Meadow

After an hour, we come to the connector trail down to Wawona Meadow. Now we have a decision to go on the road or go down to the Meadow. This requires food power, so we stop for lunch. After a PB&Nutella lunch we decide to go on down the road which should lead to the South Entrance Guard Station. But we said that at 2:30, we would turn around.

After a short walk where the road continues to climb, we come to a saddle. Here we noticed a use trail going up towards Mt Savage. I had read there was something like this from this road. Looks like another hike. We continue on and the road gently drops. Then we come to a construction site and wonder what it is? (Later we find out there is an information center and parking lot going in.) We walk a little farther until it is 2:30. We may be only 200 yards from our goal, but it is time to turn around.

Construction Site

Sherri Walking the Connector Trail

We retreat back to where we had lunch. Remember that connector trail? It is time to drop down it. It is a well maintained trail, which shows little use. Certainly today we are the only ones using it. Lots of mountain misery along the side of the trail, but no scent. Must be the season. The trail descends, maybe a 800', in a short two miles. . But it is pleasant, quiet, like the rest of this trail. Nothing exciting from a visual point of view, more of relaxing walk.

Gary and Sherri

Eventually we make it down to the Wawona Meadow Loop Trail. Here we have a decision: return along the west side of the meadow, the east side or take another connector trail to the Mariposa Grove Trail. Because of the time, we take the east side loop which will lead us to the Wawona Hotel and our car. But it is about a mile and a half further, but flat. Close by there is a stump which we stop at to eat a Luna bar and take a picture. Then our daughter Andrea calls Sherri's phone. After awhile, I got cold and put on a long sleeve shirt. Up until this time, it was cool, in the mid-50's, but we were moving and I felt comfortable. Now that we are sitting and talking, well I am getting cold. But don't get me wrong, I enjoy hearing my daughters voice and talking with her.

Wawona Meadow

After talking awhile, we move on. There are some places to get a good views of Wawona Meadow. We have caught up with a couple who are enjoying the views and evening. The sun, or what we think was a sun has set and it is getting dark. But then the clouds start to turn light, then golden, and the western sky reminds you something out of the Second Coming of Jesus.

Sun's Rays Catching the Clouds

We gawk at that for awhile admiring this and thinking that we have had a great hike and this is an ending which just cannot be beat. We reach the car about 5:15, a bit tired, but feeling good about our hike. We stop in Oakhurst for dinner at Pop's Diner. Then back home by 8:00pm. Time for a shower.

Background

Annie Dillard, Pilgrim at Tinker Creek, pg 287 (The Annie Dillard Reader)

From the Yosemite Conservancy, there is a timeline which indicates that in 2017 Complete new arrival plaza at the South Entrance, complete with parking, shuttle, hydration stations and a Yosemite Conservancy bookstore

As a note, I am calling the road between the Old Raymond Road and the South Guard Station Entrance in Yosemite as the Mt Savage Road. I do not know if it has a formal name or not. Also I am speculating that this road may have been the old road from the guard station to Wawona as I cannot figure out any other reason for it.

Extra Photo's

Unknown Peak, maybe Mt Raymond

Sherri where the Mt Savage trail takes off

The Scream

Tree in Sunlight

Colors along the South Fork of the Merced

Colorful Sky

 
Flowers and Plants

Maybe a Regal Butter Bolete