Wednesday, July 27, 2011

When it pays to not stay put

Beat flew to Europe on Sunday, leaving me with a full week of solo time. I had one deadline to hit and always other things I should work on, train for, or otherwise make good use of my time trying to finish. But then my dad acquired a permit for the Narrows in Zion National Park for this coming Friday. I've never hiked the Narrows; I've always wanted to, and I thought - why not make a whole trip out of it?

I worked hard and late all day Sunday and early Monday to finish up my one mandatory project, and hit the road at 2:30 p.m. Leaving California is always a chore. I basically sat in traffic for 150 miles. But once I cleared Auburn, I was free.

I will write more later but I thought I'd post a few pictures of the trip so far. I embarked on an amazing spontaneous overnight trip on the Pacific Crest Trail near Truckee, Calfornia. I started hiking from Donner Pass at 6:30 p.m., camped seven miles from the trailhead, hiked/ran nine more out to Granite Chief Wilderness and back in the morning, and then hiked back to my car for the 550-mile drive to Salt Lake City. Big day, and it's only just the beginning of this whirlwind trip. But so far, so worth it. So worth it.

Sunset last night on the PCT.

Woke up here early this morning.

Breakfast and a view on Tinker Knob.

Sunset on the Salt Flats.

Tomorrow ... Lone Peak!
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13 comments:

  1. cherylJuly 27, 2011 at 5:20 AM

    fantastic photos! sounds like a great little trip.

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  2. sharon roesJuly 27, 2011 at 5:24 AM

    Great pictures - you are so adventurous - have a great time with your family.

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  3. CarlJuly 27, 2011 at 6:31 AM

    Great pictures! I think the Tinker Knob photo would be a great candidate for your blog header. And the Salt Flats photo makes me think you could dunk a basketball. BTW - Your Divide book is a great read, only one chapter to go.

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  4. starfish264July 27, 2011 at 6:34 AM

    Oh my goodness - I love the salt flats photo - that's amazing!

    I lvoe impromptu trips - they're the best :o)

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  5. recumbent conspiracy theoristJuly 27, 2011 at 7:10 AM

    Inspiring as always!

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  6. richJuly 27, 2011 at 8:38 AM

    awesome! As always great photos, really like the salt flats picture!

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  7. OlgaJuly 27, 2011 at 8:49 AM

    You are one jumpy girl!

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  8. JacquiJuly 27, 2011 at 1:37 PM

    Great pics Jill. Enjoy your trip, sounds like fun.

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  9. RasinkainJuly 27, 2011 at 3:07 PM

    Reading this post makes me wish I was single again without kids so I can just run off and do adventureous trips like this. I live through your blog.
    Thanks! :)

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  10. BillJuly 27, 2011 at 4:01 PM

    Lone Peak ... that's like ... like ... 35 miles from here. Cant be the on here ;-) Wish it was. Anyway, the salt flats photo is simply amazing Jill. I mean .... REALLY cool.

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  11. AnonymousJuly 28, 2011 at 1:03 AM

    Am I the only one to wonder what that bear-shaped thing in the first photo is?

    Ray

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  12. Mediated SlackerJuly 28, 2011 at 9:15 AM

    Totally cool! I want to go hiking now. Instead I'm chained to my desk. :(

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  13. Some gal.August 14, 2011 at 5:15 PM

    HI Jill!

    I have been reading about your adventures for some time now and it's strange (in a fun way!) to hear you reference places I know! I live in Sacramento, and have sat in traffic to Auburn myself many times. On a different note, you have been very inspirational to me in countless ways; not many follow their muse the way you do. Keep on trucking!

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