june 7 2013

I'm going to do something i've never done before on my blog. I'm posting pictures. it's nothing special, but i suppose there's some kind of story behind it. here it goes, simply:



I live at the foothills of some mountains. Up one of these mountains is a trail.

On the way there. This area is new and still in development.

It's only a ten minute drive from my house.

At the base of this trail is a fire station. If you didn't know where it was, you would almost certainly not find the start of this trail.

The fire station.

The trail runs a little more than a mile straight up the mountain. Some areas are flat, but mostly it is an uphill climb.

Walking through the wildlife. Photographed: some cute cacti.

I thought about going by myself up this trail, but at the last minute I invited a bunch of friends. Surprisingly, many showed up.

The backs of people's faces. My friends.

And so we walked. And walked some more. Unsurprisingly, there was plenty of walking for everyone. But the sights on the way up are very pretty, so I guess everything was okay.

This is an unusual marker along the way. As you can see, it's covered in graffiti. Even taggers make the difficult climb up here. I suppose many different kinds of people enjoy nature.

This marks about 1/3 of the way up.

So we continue onward, with deep and labored breaths. We pass and are passed by fellow hikers. Lots of people enjoy this trail for it's difficulty, especially during the cooler parts of the day.

There are small bugs everywhere, but the cool winds feel good as you sweat.

Starting to become dark.

More tagging.

This marks about 2/3rds of the way up. We're almost there.

Here is the 'A'. It is made of white tarp laid on the side of the mountain in the shape of a large A. You can see it for miles.

In fact, my friends call going up here "going to the A." The trail has an official name, of course, though I didn't know it for three years.

We're approaching the top. We can feel it in our lungs and burning legs. Mine legs are burning, at least. For some people, it's really an achievement to make it up here.

Finally, we make it!

We're all really happy.

at least some of us are. photographed: my friends little brother. he's a champ.

However, the trail doesn't end there.

cool little area up here. the trail we just came up is located where the people to the left are standing.

There is another trail leading higher up the mountain.

Hm, let's go up there. higher and higher we go.

Until, finally, after climbing up perhaps the steepest part of the mountain, we reach the top.

And as you stand at the top of this mountain, you have to admit to feeling a little more humble, and you become aware and stand in awe of those things that are much, much bigger than you.

me.

And are grateful for the adventure that led you there.

  

And for those who showed up.

The end. :)