Summer Solstice 2011

There is a bit of an annual tradition to hike to the top of Flat Top Mountain every June 21. Jeff read this last week, and we decided it would be the perfect Summer Solstice activity.

I was amazed at how many people decided join the annual tradition. We saw hundreds of people on the trail, and it was thrilling to feel like we were part of some old world, solstice, pagan, pilgrimage ritual.

 

Except no one was chanting (except for Jeff, saying "good job, honey" over and over and over.)

If you look closely at the left side of the ridge, you can see a little train of people marching to the top.

Now, when I say "marching" I mean c l i m b i n g. I am still carrying my winter coat (aka my fat I put on over the winter), so this hike was tough.

 

It wasn't even recommended that Oscar hike to the top. But he went anyway, and was better than all of us.

The last bit of climbing was pretty intense. Hand over foot climbing, with hikers that were older and fatter breezing past us. I was very frustrated with myself, and felt the tears rolling down my cheeks right as we hit the top of the peek. 

We did it! And we were even greeted by the beginnings of what was sure to be some an awesome solstice party in the clouds on the mountain top. We didn't stay on the top for long-because we had to get to bed early.

My mountain man.

I think Jeff is trying to suck out my brain through my cheek-or kissing me. I think he was proud of me for making it to the top, or happy that I wasn't complaining anymore.

We got a little Solstice bonus on the drive home. The vibe hit 100,000 miles!

Happy Summer Solstice! I know this blog is supposed to have at least a little bit of knitting, but with the sun shining through the night-it's tricky to get it up for the needles and wool.

(this picture was taken at 11:00 pm)

xo

Alli