Day 1-September 1, 2012

     Today I found myself doing one of my favorite things, hiking to a new place.  We drove back roads to an old summer cattle camp in the High Sierras.  From there we hiked across meadows, through forest, and across the middle fork of the Yuba to remnants of English Dam, built by the Chinese in the gold rush days.  It was blown up in June of 1883, probably by anti-mining interests.  We camped out under the stars, a cold crisp night with an almost full moon.  I'll always remember Fred's giggling fit as we lay down.  He was telling me the seventh grader's comment when he caught Fred passing gas near the camp cookstove.  "Do you need to wipe that?"  Treasured time with old and new friends and family.  Wonderous nature and fascinating history all in one day, a wonderful way to begin retirement.
     Is I was walking, I decided I would begin a blog journaling the daily events of this first year of retirement.  I have given myself a year to regroup, reorganize, and consider the more than 250 ideas I have of where to send my energy next.  Each day is such a precious gift, and I am grateful to have this time before me.  This record will help me in the process of seeing my next steps, or I should say our next steps.