California

August 6, 1995

Golden. California always seemed golden to me.  It was a place of sunshine and hope…I remember asking Mom to pack up and move to California when my problems were too much to bear.

After endless hours of hot desert (106 in Southern California and 118 in the Middle of the Desert) and no air conditioning we reached the Sierra Nevada’s Monday.  The air smelled sweet and warm, but not so hot any more once we approached the mountains.   A red-orange or perhaps coral colored sunset reflected off of a lake as we passed by. I was thankful to have finally made through both Barstow and Bakersfield.  We aren’t going all the way up to Fresno though.

Around 10am on Tuesday we drove up, up and still further up to the Sequoias.  We were literally among the giants.  I was in awe.  I felt small compared to them, but not insignificant.  Today oneness was close, but not total.  After waking and driving around, we found our camp sight—Potwisha Campground.  I wrote mostly.

Lynda explored and then came back to take Dave and I to Marble Fork of the Kiawah River. Rapids roared as we came to a small sandy beach.  Gold sparkled on the beach and in the water. We walked back and drove to find some ice for our cooler.

When we got back, I gather my soap, shampoo and razor to bathe in the river.  I walked down and bank and came to a secluded spot.  The sun shone over a peak across the river and onto the huge boulders in and around the raging river.  I took my clothes off and placed them on a rock, then waded into the cold river.  It felt good in the 100 degree weather.  I felt beautiful and peaceful as I scrubbed.

Thursday was a lazy day.  We went to a near by down or rather a roadside grocery store and then visited a visitor center.  I took yet another wonderful peaceful bath in the river.  I messed around and then took a walk.  We packed up and drove straight back to Phoenix.  We left around 4:30pm.  What a long haul!  I slept through part of it.  I saw Bouce, Arizona, where Dad and everyone grew up.

Friday at 6am we got back to Phoenix.  We unpacked and I went back to bed to sleep until 2pm.  I showered and ate and enjoyed what was left of the day.