Walk for Wildlands

3+ weeks into this journey and getting into a solid rhythm of walking. rising each day with the sun, the slow process of it all step by step passing through waves of heat, the wind, lizards scattering snakes rattling and buzzards drifting the thermals overhead. switchbacking wandering our way through these diverse landscapes.
the deserts are beautiful, so many different complexities and network communities that we've experienced in just this small piece of time. the changes and transitions are constant...dry crackling sage and chaparral hillsides, cactus valleys, cool canyons with clear running waters passing oak and cottonwood, sliding through snow crisp air sub-alpine reaches of jeffery and ponderosa pine, incense cedar, white fir, and the vast stretches of land scorched by fire...canyons and mountainsides, skeletal seas of bleached branches slowly being enveloped by the new growth.
with rainfall this year an incredible bloom of wildflowers are covering the lands...vivid colors all around, paintbrush, lupine, lilac, the cactus flowers bright and miraculous, thousands of yucca blooms across the hillsides. inside and around it all hummingbirds, wasps, bees, ants, moths and butterflies hovering and dancing.
we've been humbled by the kindness and generosity extended our way throughout the trip. in wrightwood we met the moore family who took us into their home to share stories and food. at the big bear hostel (www.bigbearhostel.com) grayson toured us around the town and lent out some cruisers and we pedaled the town from china buffet to the health food store laughing in our puffy jackets.
and now after a wonderful little break with the family to see my sister graduate we start back at it...to continue being humbled, walking on through the landscapes, skies above and city lights below, in heat and hunger, tired, frustrated, elated, mind wandering to some dreamed up foodstuff, alongside the spaces of presence, walking meditation...small bodies passing slowly through canyons and mountains, tiny dust clouds gathering and disappearing with each footstep.