Hi Heather,

Reading your latest blog brought tears to my eyes, so many memories from those years. We had moved from upstate New York to California (1974). Houses cost so much more in California. We were on a tight budget. Dad, looking for activities we could afford decided we should try backpacking. I think not having any preconceived notions or experience with backpacking made the decision easier, and we rationalized that we could always turn around, (walk back out) if it didn’t work out. We had boatcamped with you and Tracy as infants, which helped. Backpacking really did open us up to a new world of possibilities.

The photo of us walking in the rain reminded me of the time we were caught in a heavy rain storm, rain, thunder and hail, and we were all huddled under some bushes for protection, a ranger came by on a horse, Dad jokingly called the horse a mule, and the ranger asked to see our permit! that was one of the few times in many years that we ever got asked for our permit.

As a parent it is rewarding to see the positive influence we have had. It is touching to be acknowledged.

Love, Mom