Thursday, August 4, 2011

Pictures of Climb to Camp Muir, August 3, 2011









Bronka's Camp Muir Climb on Wednesday, August 3

Bronka and I got an early start yesterday on our climb to Camp Muir. It was a fantastic day! We took our time and absorbed in all of the beauty that surrounded us. We had fun talking with the hikers on the trail as well as watching the Marmots play with one another. The flowers are trying to pop out of the snow as it melts and color is starting to appear.

We stopped at Pebble Creek and snacked, then at Moon Rocks for lunch and then finally to Camp Muir. Bronka was greeted by a guide that knew her and she chatted with him. We went over to the stone building. Bronka noticed that the inside had been improved. Bronka said that there was a bench in front of the building they named Bronka's bench because every time she climbed to Camp Muir that is where she would sit. She told me she hoped that when she died there would be a little plaque there that said Bronka's bench.

After chatting with some of the climbers there, it was time to go back. On the way down, Bronka ran into J.J. a guide friend of hers that was taking a group of climbers to Camp Muir. They chatted and he introduced her to his climbers. Then as we continued down, Bronka ran into another friend of hers, Jason. Jason was also leading climbers up to Camp Muir. He was the one who guided Bronka on her successful summit climb on Mt. Rainier several years ago. He proudly introduced her to his climbers. He told her he would stop and visit her on Saturday.

Bronka and I had a great time, we even stopped at the Jackson Center as there was a small name plaque with Ake's name on it. Bronka was very proud to see it there.

Wonderful day, with a wonderful person.

After taking Bronka home, I found out the next day that she watered her yard and garden. Then went to bed about 11:00 p.m. Like the little energizer that keeps on running!!

Tuesday, August 2, 2011

Hike at Paradise on August 1, 2011

Had a wonderful day with Bronka, Elaine and Carol on our hike at Paradise. I feel so blessed to have met so many of Bronka's wonderful friends and to go on hikes with them. Monday was such an exceptional day. The weather was so wonderful. We hiked up about a mile and decided just to sit and have lunch on some rocks and just visit. We visited with people who were hiking on the trail. There were many visitors from other countries, like Germany, Austria, as well as out of state.

Elaine volunteers for the park and she looked great in her uniform. It was fun visiting with her and Carol. They are fun to be with and all of us love Bronka's stories.

Bronka ran into her friends, Craig Van Hoy of Go Trek & Expeditions and Bonny. Craig was coming down with a group he had taken up on the mountain and summated. I think he said this was over his 200th summit climb. Wow!!! They guys Criag guided, looked a little tired and hungry, so that was what they were heading for, food! I remember every time we summated, we looked forward to a nice big meal.

Our day was great. After our hike we came back to Bronka's home. Her friend, Jim, had mowed her lawn and it looked great! Bronka's flowers are starting to bloom and her yard looks wonderful. She works so hard in it.

She has a bird house that swallows live in and it is so cute to see the two baby birds that live in it. They stick their little heads out waiting for mom and dad to bring them some food. Bronka said she loves to sit at her kitchen and watch them. She said that, that was their second family.

Sunday, July 31, 2011

Amazing Bronka

I stopped by Bronka's last night, Saturday, July 30, and she was watering her garden. She had spent the day with her friend, Robin, and her daughter hiking up toward Camp Muir. They got above Pebble Creek and it started to get late. Tomorrow she plans on hiking with her friend, Wally and then hiking with her friend, Carol and friends on Monday. It is always great taking with her. I feel so blessed to live near her.

Bronka's vegetable and flower gardens look wonderful. She takes such good care of them. Everything seems to be blooming and doing great with all the rain we had and now the sunshine.