"Relax Here, #2"
From the poem “And Today is the Day!”
There’s this great cool plunge shaped like a bath tub on the Lyle Fork after you leave Tuolumne Meadows on your way southeast to
Donahue
Pass , and since it’s often hot through this area it doesn’t take much to start thinking of sliding into it for a cool off and a dirt float off. I could see that little stream in August or September just keeping it full and clear, and I could feel it, and it was cool, and I didn’t care what the temperature would be as I’d enjoy it! I had to take an image of it for my book “Swimming the JOHN MUIR TRAIL!”
But because of this, and because of that, and especially because of this and that, I’d never felt it before. Perhaps in a nod to today’s life, stopping there had been transferred to the next trip. Which was this trip. And, modifying somewhat the punch line of one of my favorite jokes “And Today is the Day!”* In fact, shortly. In fact, It can’t be more than 5 minutes away.
I moved easily and swiftly along the Lyle Fork, slowly gaining elevation, “This was going to be great,” I thought, but where was it? I kept scanning the river for it, not noticing that this July flow was higher than in September. And then I found it!
My tub had become an unrecognizable cauldron of frothy swirling water, and unless my eyes were deceiving me, weren’t there chunks of ice bobbing around in there? What a disappointment! But wait! There was something else: some dude was there!
Totally relaxed it seemed. Was he awake? He seemed asleep. Not that I’d blame him. How come I’d never thought of laying down there for a little siesta?
But should I take the image for my book? Hey, don’t we go on these trips so we don’t have to make decisions like this?
But I took it anyway, and I’m glad, as it shows the fellow and the stream, both with no schedule.
Purple Hat
September 8, 2006
* For those not familiar with the joke, please send me a self addressed stamped envelope, and indicate your desire to receive a copy of the joke referenced in “And Today is the Day!”
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