May 15th 2015, Shortly after my April trip to Anaheim, I was again heading back to California. This time to the Bay Area to visit my Dad. I grew up in this area outside of San Francisco and was returning to visit the Spanish embassy. I needed to renew my European passport in preparation for my upcoming trip to Spain in June. With that business quickly out of the way, I had the rest of the weekend to enjoy with my father. However I couldn’t resist dragging Dad out on another one of my photo journeys. A lot of professionals say that photography isn’t a hobby but a lifestyle. I definitely believe that. Everywhere I go I’m looking for pictures. Every day is an opportunity to capture something amazing.
May 22 2015, Last weekend I took a long backpacking trip with my hiking friends of Outward Bound. We headed north of Phoenix to the Mogollon Rim where we set out on a trail called the Cabin Loop. It was a great trail through some lovely Arizona forests with weather that was far cooler than back in the city. I once hiked this trail on a previous backpacking trip but only for about 9 miles. There was still a lot more of this trail to explore. While I love the outdoors and backpacking, this trip really tested me. Our first day hiking was a breeze. We did about 10 miles with very little effort. However my luck turned that night when the temperatures dropped down very low. It was a miserable night and I got very little sleep. The next morning while everyone else made breakfast, I was feeling tired and nauseous. I couldn’t force myself to eat anything which ended up being a HUGE mistake. To be honest, I’m hardly the most athletic person. I can hike all day on flat terrain but elevation gain in what zaps my energy real quick. For the entire rest of the trail it seemed the path was all up and down hill. It was relentlessly slow progress that was hard on most of us hikers. I tried my best not to complain or slow my companions down but I struggled and despaired at times. It all reminded me of Picketpost Mountain which also challenged me back in March. Finally we reached the end of the 7.5 mile trail and came upon the dirt road leading back to our cars. However the struggle wasn’t over yet. We still had another 5 miles to walk to the parking area. At this point I was a zombie mindlessly walking. One time we stopped to rest but I wouldn’t sit or remove my 35lb backpack. I knew if I took it off, I wouldn’t have the strength to pick it back up. The day was getting darker as thick clouds started to pass overhead. By the time we hit the road’s end, I was finished. The others left to get the cars and agreed to pick me up on the way out. Relieved, I took off my pack and sat on the ground to rest. However the peaceful moment was soon interrupted by small pellets of hail raining down from the clouds above. I was too tired to care. I just sat there exhausted and reflected on how comical it all was. With our legs turned to jello, we left the Cabin Loop and drove home. The others were ecstatic that they had successfully completed the trail but I didn’t share their pride. With the exception of the great pictures I took, I felt this weekend was a personal failure. I vowed the next time I hiked the Cabin Loop, I’d be ready for her. **SIDE NOTE: It’s been three months now since I hiked the Cabin Loop. In that time I’ve started dieting and hitting the gym daily. With the way things are going, I feel confident I’ll perform better on my next backpacking trip.**
