I think challenges & struggles are good. I specifically remember the first time I took an actual sewing class. Prior to the sewing class, I struggled to finish a full garment for YEARS. I took the class and it took me WEEKS to finish simple things. While learning to sew, I agreed to a fashion show (very ambitious of me, I know) & I improved more on my own during that time than those weeks I spent in class! Finishing faster, learning different techniques, & really challenged myself.
I say all of that to say. If it wasn’t for the struggle of trying to finish 10 looks in 1 month at the beginning level, it would have taken me wayyyy longer to move past that level of sewing. Although not an expert, and still very much an intermediate sewist, concepts became easier to understand with time.
Apr 18, 2023·edited Apr 18, 2023Liked by Sarai Mitnick
Thank you for sharing your trip and beautiful pictures. It is such a good reminder to open our eyes, breathe fresh air and be grateful for our daily gifts.
I envy you the youth and energy to backpack. I'll have to settle for long walks with my dog once I'm settled into my new digs. The flowers were spectacular!!
If you're interested in getting into embroidery, check out Mary Corbet's Needle'n'Thread blog. She's done book reviews on some really fascinating books, the most recent being Embroidered Birds and Their Habitats by Judy Wilford. It's a really interesting book, but so are almost all the books she reviews.
Wow, looks so beautiful. I have heard so much about California Super Bloom. Never went there. Spent years in Northern California and hiked most weeks. I admire your tenacity. I have not quite gone down the road of backpacking and camping out like that. Lovely photos. Thanks for sharing.
I highly recommend it! I did a trip last summer that was just an overnight, and I think that would be such a good way to start. You just hike into a campsite (you could find a trail that has one that’s not too far), make camp, drop your gear, then day hike some more if you want! It gives you a lot of control over how far you go.
My husband introduced me to backpacking and backcountry camping two years ago, and I love it! I'm still so surprised that I love it. There is beauty that you can only access by long walks up hills. And it never gets easier to climb mountains - your lungs are always taxed. But you do get faster. The combination of nature and hard physical work is a wonderful respite for mind and soul. We're still waiting for the weather to warm up and the snow to melt here in the Canadian Rocky Mountains, but can't wait for our backcountry trips this summer!
One of my companions on the trip has a job that involves hiking, and he was far less winded than me and my brother. Ha! It’s nice that your husband is into it! I’m still trying to get Kenn warmed up to it, but so far he prefers shorter trips and car camping.
We hiked from Hunting Hollows to Kelly Lake, which was the most strenuous. The second night was at Wilson Camp (not shown on that map), then we hiked back to the trailhead on day 3.
I think challenges & struggles are good. I specifically remember the first time I took an actual sewing class. Prior to the sewing class, I struggled to finish a full garment for YEARS. I took the class and it took me WEEKS to finish simple things. While learning to sew, I agreed to a fashion show (very ambitious of me, I know) & I improved more on my own during that time than those weeks I spent in class! Finishing faster, learning different techniques, & really challenged myself.
I say all of that to say. If it wasn’t for the struggle of trying to finish 10 looks in 1 month at the beginning level, it would have taken me wayyyy longer to move past that level of sewing. Although not an expert, and still very much an intermediate sewist, concepts became easier to understand with time.
Ambition like that definitely accelerates learning
Thank you for sharing your trip and beautiful pictures. It is such a good reminder to open our eyes, breathe fresh air and be grateful for our daily gifts.
Definitely!
I envy you the youth and energy to backpack. I'll have to settle for long walks with my dog once I'm settled into my new digs. The flowers were spectacular!!
If you're interested in getting into embroidery, check out Mary Corbet's Needle'n'Thread blog. She's done book reviews on some really fascinating books, the most recent being Embroidered Birds and Their Habitats by Judy Wilford. It's a really interesting book, but so are almost all the books she reviews.
Thank you for the recommendation, that sounds right up my alley!
Wow, looks so beautiful. I have heard so much about California Super Bloom. Never went there. Spent years in Northern California and hiked most weeks. I admire your tenacity. I have not quite gone down the road of backpacking and camping out like that. Lovely photos. Thanks for sharing.
I highly recommend it! I did a trip last summer that was just an overnight, and I think that would be such a good way to start. You just hike into a campsite (you could find a trail that has one that’s not too far), make camp, drop your gear, then day hike some more if you want! It gives you a lot of control over how far you go.
My husband introduced me to backpacking and backcountry camping two years ago, and I love it! I'm still so surprised that I love it. There is beauty that you can only access by long walks up hills. And it never gets easier to climb mountains - your lungs are always taxed. But you do get faster. The combination of nature and hard physical work is a wonderful respite for mind and soul. We're still waiting for the weather to warm up and the snow to melt here in the Canadian Rocky Mountains, but can't wait for our backcountry trips this summer!
One of my companions on the trip has a job that involves hiking, and he was far less winded than me and my brother. Ha! It’s nice that your husband is into it! I’m still trying to get Kenn warmed up to it, but so far he prefers shorter trips and car camping.
Oh, my, such gorgeous photos! The flowers 😍. You are absolutely right about us needing to get out there and move.
Even just stepping outside for five minutes helps me! There are days I forget to leave the house, and nothing good comes of it.
That looks like a wonderful backpacking trip. Would you be willing to share the trail name?
Sure! This was at Henry Coe state park. We did a modified trip on this trail: https://liveandlethike.com/2021/03/30/kelly-lake-coit-lake-and-pacheco-falls-loop-henry-w-coe-state-park-ca/
We hiked from Hunting Hollows to Kelly Lake, which was the most strenuous. The second night was at Wilson Camp (not shown on that map), then we hiked back to the trailhead on day 3.