II : The Summit

At Angeles National Forest, there are trails to climb up any of the many mountains there. The trail I took with my research group took us to a place called The Summit. I should have taken a picture of the sign that pointed us in the direction of the path when the road made a fork. The elevation then was about 8000 ft. Who knows how high this place was, but it was wonderful to reach the top, especially after not having hiked for over two years. Trudging up was painful. I literally felt my muslces aching withint 15 minutes of climbing, but I pressed on because I wanted to reach this summit (and because I didn't want to be left behind, though I know I wouldn't have had been if I really couldn't go on). The only thing that kept recurring each time I started again after a short rest was my hard breathing. The woody air, though felt extremely clean compared to LA, made my lungs feel like they were working harder than usual. Truly, the more painful and strenuous the path, the deeper the feeling of achievement when you reach the summit, and when you come back down from it. It was wonderful (except for the face-aiming bugs) to see everything from the start to the top.

What was most memorable about this trip was getting to know the people in the research group more. I'm sure they would easily describe me as "doesn't talk much," but I'm glad that they randomly talk to me. R: "How fast do you run, Melody?" Me: "not very." R: "That's good. I just have to run faster than you when we see a bear." ;) R: "if you slip and roll, we're not stopping for you." Me: "I'll trip you while I'm rolling." :p Me: "I only see one star." R: That's because you're blind." ;P the last part was referencing this one moment during our hike. I had dust fly into my left eye, and though it wasn't painful to the point I couldn't open it, it was very irritating and no matter how much I tried to tear up and wash it out, the dust wouldn't fully come out. I asked if anyone had eye drops, and luckily, one of us did. While I was washing my eye out, we began talking about our prescriptions. Two of us in the group did not have glasses (I am ENVIOUS), and the rest of us either wore glasses or contacts. I told them, my eyes were 500. woOOO.. I beat them all. *proud* not. They began telling about the first time they got glasses: high school, college... and I sat there thinking, "I got my first pair in third grade..." I wonder how they would have responded if I had said that aloud. But, being me, I think more than I talk when I am around most people. I wish I could easily keep a conversation flowing.

All in all, a wonderful experience--- exercise and getting to know people. Of course, I felt the soreness and the lack of exercise, but there was also more casual sarcasm today. Accomplishment and progress sure do make one smile.