In Memory of My Mother

June Devall Rankin: Born into this world February 17, 1934
Born from this world Easter, 2012

My wife and I started this blog a few years back, so my Mom could follow our hiking and backpacking adventures across the U.S. She left us for her own ultimate adventure on Easter Weekend.

She was a great lover of nature (and especially flowers), but not so much for hiking in the backcountry. That said, she was always extremely interested in our journeys, and was by far our biggest follower on this site. On two different snowy nights on one such adventure, we called her from the car and she found us warm accommodations for the night from her computer at home.

Star and I have taken two day hikes since Mom's departure, and I have quickly found it's in the backcountry where I still feel closest to her. In fact, it's more than that. It's the place I literally feel her with me.

These photos are dedicated to my wonderful, loving Mother. I hope you are still following us.




















Spring comes to the Chattooga River April 15

Mountain Laurel in Bloom at the 9 Times Nature Preserve April 22

We love you, Mom.

Farewell from Mono Lake

The bags are packed, and we'll be leaving this incredibly beautiful part of the world early in the morning and headed back to South Carolina.

We have been asked by some family and friends why we go on vacation and spend so much time exerting ourselves with hiking and backpacking.

Here is the best answer I have for now...

I have been to the mountain tops, the high valleys, gorges, cirques, land of waterfalls, and beginnings of rivers that you can't see from a roadside lookout. I have been where the air feels different when you breathe it. I have been where the stars are brighter, the skies are clearer, the flowers are more vibrant, and there are no signs of civilization for miles. I have been to places where only the Native Americans treaded once upon a time. I have been where creature comforts are at a minimum, but when you return, the food tastes better, a hot shower feels wonderful, and you are able to maintain a greater appreciation for the daily pleasures we often take for granted.

A special thanks to Sarah for allowing us to share her home.

Until our next adventure,

Ben and Star

Bodie

"Goodbye God, I'm going to Bodie" The famous quote of a young girl whose family was taking her to this notorious town.

Yesterday, we visited the remnants of an actual gold mining town. This isn't "Ghost Town" or some other lame attempt at the re-creation of an old West Town. It's the real deal. The State of California has done an outstanding job of preserving what remains of this former hellhole.

Even though it's only 7 1/2 miles from our vacation home, it took us almost one hour to get there. You must travel 7 miles up a heavily wash boarded, rock strewn dirt road to get there. There are no paved roads to Bodie.












The cemetary sits high above the town, and consists of both marked and unmarked graves. What hits home wandering through this graveyard is the great number of children who never lived past a few years. The other is the very few who made it past 40 or 50 years of age. Several tombstones are marked "Native of Ireland".












Bodie continued to survive past the gold rush as evident by this fine young lady modeling beside a 1927 Dodge. The last remaining residents left Bodie in the 1950's.

"And now my comrades all are gone;
Naught remains toast.
They have left me here in my misery,
Like some poor wandering ghost."













According to our guide, Mr. Bodie discovered gold here in 1859 and by 1879 the town had grown to 10,000 residents. The above photo shows one of the remaining saloons. At one point, Bodie had 65 such saloons in town. The below photo shows the school house classroom.

All of these areas are closed off by glass from visitors. The reflection off the glass gives the photos a ghostly appearance.

Quoting from the guide, "Killings occurred with monotonous regularity. The fire bell tolled the ages of the deceased...Robberies, stage holdups, and street fights provided the variety"
















Honestly, after two hours of this place we were ready to get back to civilization. It really makes you appreciate the world we enjoy today.

High Trail to Thousand Island Lake: Day 1

Star standing at the entrance to the Ansel Adams wilderness, less than one mile into our backpacking adventure. A shuttle bus dropped us off at Agnew Meadows, and at this point we are in the middle of 17 switchbacks headed up the High Trail (part of the Pacific Crest Trail).









After navigating the switchbacks, we began a gentle ascent through beautiful meadows along the High Trail.

At about 4 miles, we reached a vantage point of the Ansel Adams Wilderness with our destination being the base of Banner Peak in the upper right corner.























At about 7.5 miles we reached the outlet waters of Thousand Island Lake.





After 8 hours, we reached our destination, a cold and very windy Thousand Island Lake. We continued for over a mile along the north shoreline until finding a campsite. There appeared to be only four other tents set up with six other people camping in the area. All total, we hiked about 9.5 miles on day one.


It's difficult to believe such a cold place exists on July 18th in California.

Thousand Island Lake to Agnew Meadows: Day 2

With Star still snug in the tent, I awoke at day break, put on every stitch of clothing possible, and started snapping photos of the sun rising on Thousand Island Lakes as well as Banner Peak and Mt. Ritter. It couldn't have been warmer than the upper 30's with the wind still howling at 30-40 mph. In fact, we thought the tent was going to blow away on us a couple of times during the night.

We had found the best wind break possible for our campsite high above the lake, but at times it didn't seem to matter as the wind ripped through the trees.

This woodchuck came to visit first thing in the morning, and decided to stick around with us until we broke camp and departed. He seemed curious at two Southerners camping in his terrority, or perhaps, he was looking for a handout.

Departing Thousand Island Lakes through the numerous snowfields
leading down to the River Trail.

One of the many large trees we encountered along the trail. We actually saw several larger than this big boy.

Absolutely, the most varied hike we have ever taken. A 19 mile round trip to 10,000 feet through beautiful high meadows, past numerous several hundred foot high waterfalls, across a dozen or more snowfields, and over way too many creek crossings to even count. It was perhaps our best backpacking trip to date, one surely to be etched into our memories forever.

Destination: Thousand Island and Garnet Lakes!

The backpacks are loaded, and we're ready to make our attempt around Thousand Island and Garnet Lakes at the base of two huge mountains, Mt. Ritter and Banner Peak. The photo shows our approximate trail route, but there is much snow still remaining this year around the lakes. If it gets sketchy, we are prepared to turn back at any point.

If we are fortunate, we will travel 20 miles around the loop and gain 2,200 feet in elevation along the way. The weather appears to be in our favor with mostly sunny skies.

Expect our next post sometime on Thursday.

Pictures from around the House

Reflection of the Sierra Mountains in Mono Lake

Rainbow at sunset

Sunset over the desert

Rare desert storm blowing in