Solstice Saturation

A little solstice plant.
Replenishment.
The roseroot.

Roseroot: Grows in cold regions - Improves mood - Alleviates depression - Reduces fatigue

If I had known of the therapeutic powers of Rhodiola rosea, I would have indulged. It may have brightened my mood. A soggy solstice trip cut short: driving up river beds next to gold mines allowed us access to areas unknown, damp down sleeping bags, packrafting under stormy skies, hitchhiking in a car already too full, a 6 hr power nap in the front seat waiting for gas. Four days of ... what? A saturated sour solstice soiree. I felt let down with expectations set too high. Will I ever learn? Perhaps next time I'll remember to replenish in the little things, like the roseroot.

Trinken wir einen Stampl?

The perfect way to celebrate a birthday:
Start the day at 6:30 am for Sourdough Sams breakfast w/ Cody & Amy (NOTE: if you get there at 0630, you don't have to stand in line).
Leave Cody to spend day baking, cooking, preparing a party while Amy and I venture on (2nd NOTE: Amy has the best husband-to-be EVER!).

Load, bikes, packrafts, pfds, and head out to Angel Rocks Trailhead for another incredible Doublemint Twin adventure.

Hike 12 miles along a gorgeous alpine trail stopping to admire the spring flowers and bask in the warmth of the sun.

Take a hidden turn down a winter trail - it's so easy and delightful!

Take a right, then the left to avoid the bushwack and pop out exactly at the Middle Fork of the Chena - yahoo!!

Blow up the packrafts, put away the camera, forget to capture packrafts in action and enjoy 2 hrs of easy paddling. Take out at mile 43 Chena Hot Springs Road & package up the rafts.

Hop on bikes for the final 6 miles back to the car, find the rhythm of the road to quickly pass the miles.

Top it all off with "dee-lish" finger food Cody style, great friends, sweet and tasty Birthday Schnaps and of course a trip through the birthday spanking machine!!

These were just a few highlights of a perfect, easy, nonstop day of companionship, fresh air, a wee bit of adventure and mouthwatering food. Certainly the perfect way to spend a birthday.