I'm Okay!!! The name.

 The Name. The Myth. The Legend. Well really its my given trail name. I'm Okay!!! You have to say it at a higher octave to give it it's true sound. My husband and I have been backpacking together for many years now. This year we are training hard and taking some longer hikes. Longer hikes you ask? It is all subjective and I'm sure it will change as the summer progresses. These days "Longer hikes" refers to 12-15 miles of trail per day. We are fortunate enough to live close to the Sierra Nevada Mountains.  The Sierra Nevada Mountains has all types of adventures but in particular amazing trails. Sections of the PCT (or Pacific Crest Trail), have been our main focus. Weekend warriors we have been.

 Imagine its your second day of backpacking. Your legs are a little tired but loose. Today you will descend most of the terrain that you conquered the previous day. You've got miles to be covered. You make it to the top of the peak. The over look is amazing. Upper and lower Echo Lakes are little deep blue ponds in the distance. Patchy green trees and outcroppings of sharp granite litter your view. Its time for the descent. Trekking poles out. The crack of the loose rock beneath your rubber soles bring your thoughts back to whats in front of you. Stepping between loose rock and sharp dry granite pieces, your hamstrings talk to you about the previous days achievements. Your heading down a natural drainage portion of the trail. Big rocks, little rocks, loose rocks and tilting rocks. Its a go at your own pace day and I'm doing just that. My husband is stopped about fifty feet in front of me. Hes chatting me up as I make my way down and EEEKKKK!!!! Sand on top of granite and I'm falling down hill face first. Trekking poles fly as my upper body closes the gap between the granite. I catch myself but my pack transfers its load off my hips and onto my upper body. I am able to stop myself a few inches from hitting my face. I scream out of surprise I'M OKAY!!!!!!  After much laughter I am bestowed with the trail name I'm Okay!!!.

 I actually love this name. I feel like life gives you ups and downs. As long as you can shout "I'm Okay!!!" at the end of a day...  Then I would say that it was a pretty good day.


I'm Okay!!!