Vacation in Desolation Wilderness

August 18, 2001

I'm back and signed on to the lists again. Jan and I flew across the

country together today and it is time to look at where we are. For

those not tuned in, this was a hiking vacation with my entire family

(Jan, Steve, , and my wife) along with my wife's sister and her

family (Penny, , Nick, and his Dutch girlfriend). We also had

some extended family as well making something like a party of 12. Some

were there only part of the time.

The purpose was hiking and camping with a base camp alongside Lake

Tahoe's Emerald Bay and a high camp at Azure Lake. I'm about three

weeks post-op on my good knee (orthoscopic surgery to clean things up,

pick up loose pieces, and smooth tears) and Jan is recovering from an

awful year (69 days in the hospital last summer with an autoimmune

disease and complications) and a stroke and siezure this spring. Things

were further complicated because she was on meds for lyme disease which

had significant side effect on her. I just finished my own treatment

for the same as the trip started but without her complications.

We started with two days hiking in the LA area where Jan and I could do

hot three mile hikes but not much more. At Emerald Bay, the party split

with those going up to high camp and a few of us Jan, myself, and friend

Dave staying at base. Dave rigged a radio relay so we could talk to

high camp and get supplies hiked in. Can you imagine a wilderness camp

with 'room service'?

The first day, Jan and I hiked about halfway to high camp and came

down. The next day we did four separate hikes, probably totalling five

miles. The third day we went to Squaw Valley ski area and took the tram

up, followed by a climb to the top of Squaw peak. That was a summit for

Jan. She is very slow and has lost her balance or confidence, which is

a big step down for someone who has been a gymnast most of her life. I

did fairly well, but not without some pain, so we were a good match.

My wife was at Azure lake and insisted that I come in and take her spot

which was fairly easy (1600 feet up and 600 down) since I only had to

carry spare clothes. She hiked out and used my Emerald Bay spot to take

over with Jan. She insisted that Jan could come to high camp, but I

held fast that it would be too much (not my usual line) and Jan remained

at base.

It was spectacular hiking with crazy people who swam in ice cold lakes.

My knee survived, but I'm not sure that the orthopede would have

approved of some of the rock scrambling routes.

The past week has been in New Almaden, CA where I've a house restoration

project (and a son). There was some hiking, but not a lot because I was

seriously involved in work.

The bottom line is that Jan is recovering from her hard year. She is

nowhere near the strength that got her up Half Dome in Yosemite two

summers ago. We'd like to do that again, but maybe it won't be

possible. Still, her spirits are high. She did lots in spite of

feeling awful at times.

Next week she goes back to her New Haven apartment and her mostly

independent life. We have adjusted our sights to enjoy every day with

her as much as possible.

Sorry I was off-line, so I don't have a clue what has transpired between

Nashville and other things. Cheers to all.

Rick ............... dad to 28 year old Jan

August 18, 2001