I MADE MY PEACE WITH IT

We have been going to Mammoth Lakes, CA for one week each summer for 18 years now. There are a lot of things I love about tradition. Earlier this year we talked about whether or not we should continue to go. With my COPD I have been more cabin bound over the years. I haven't really minded because I sit and read all day long. Mark on the other hand has hiked just about every trail over and over again, most of the time alone unless the kids came up for a visit.

So we decided to ask the kids what they thought. Both couples thought it was time for us to move on. My heart was a little broken but I understood the decision. I was praying that like most traditions as time goes on they begin to involve grandchildren. Well we have a long wait on that one!

I told Mark that I thought we should write a letter to Wood's Lodge and explain some things to them. You know there are people who continue their tradition and often it is a long waiting list to get into one of the cabins. We have stayed there for at least 10 years. So I wrote a letter explaining how much we love it but also the fact that since we are so high up the mountain it has become difficult for me to leave the cabin.  There are some cabins closer to the lake and more accessible to flat walking around the lake and camp grounds nearby. I wanted him to know how much we enjoyed our stay with them.

So I made my peace with this decision and began to get excited for something new. We talked about spending a few days in Carmel, CA which I have never been to and also spending a few days in King's Canyon National Park to enjoy the Sequoia trees.  Yes I have seen Sequoias in other parks but not at King's Canyon. So we started researching places to stay.  Since I have been in a beach mood lately I really wanted to stay by the water.  We started to have conflicting ideas and having words about it.

Well we ended up receiving a letter in the mail from Wood's Lodge letting us know about one of the cabins closer to the lake that is available on Saturday June 30th. I would be able to do some walking which I am excited about. We may even fish again since we will be closer to the water. I could never get back up that hill. It even got harder for Mark. We are around 9,200 ft elevation at Wood's Lodge in the High Sierras.

So I pointed out to Mark that it wouldn't change things for him, he would still have the same old trails to hike and that I was rather excited about our new adventures. Well he is pumped about going in early July compared to August. This year should be fine since it was mild Winter. Normally August is the warmest which is nice for the High Sierras. Last year in July our normal cabin wasn't even open, it was still totally covered in snow!  Anyway, we are going again giving it one more try.

I know this is hard to read but we have been staying in cabin 6 for many years now. (over on the left side of the map) Now we will be in cabin 19 on the right side of the map closer to the lake. Now I know you can't see a big difference here on the map but let me tell you it is a huge difference. Cabin 6 is straight up a steep incline from the water. It was even hard on the kids to climb up it!

So off we go tomorrow to our new week in Mammoth Lakes.  Oh and the other thing that is nice is now we are in a Saturday to Saturday rental. Cabin six was a Sunday to Sunday so Mark is happy to have the extra day before going back to work. You can view our photos from previous posts here: MAMMOTH LAKES, CA  (I may not have phone service or internet service unless I go to town so if you don't hear from me you just assume I'm having fun!)

Have I made peace with this change?  I will let you know!

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