Mount Whitney Summit 14,500ft
The John Muir Trail is a long-distance
hiking path in the Sierra Nevada mountain range of California that
passes through Yosemite, Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks. It
also travels through the John Muir and Ansel Adams Wildernesses. The
world famous 211+ mile trail stretches from the Yosemite Valley to
Mt. Whitney, the highest point in the contiguous United States. We hiked from 4,000 ft to over 14,000ft through some of the prettiest country I have ever seen. I was
lucky to have been invited to fill an open spot on a permit for the month of
August. This was my first long distance hike since my 2008 thru hike on the Appalachian Trail. I walked along
deep blue alpine lakes, high altitude passes and wildflower filled
meadows. I took over 6,000 pictures and hiked for 21 days. The sun was intense and
at times the hiking was difficult and rocky. I met a lot of great
people from all over the world and will have memories forever. It was an amazing trip, but I was happy to get home to Morgan, the farm and the farm diet.
Morgan held down the farm while I was
gone and a lot of great folks came out to help in my absence. Our intern quit a week after I flew to CA, right when we needed her the most. We learned a lot and can now only move forward to greener pastures. The farm has never been a happier place. Luckily, friends came out to help and we couldn't
have done it without our good friend Justin, aka the Tomato Pickin' Master. As I hiked high in the Sierras, the tomatoes kept coming. Morgan took on the role of photographer while I was gone. Here are his photos and how he saw August.
My first week back finished up the month of August and I hit the ground running. (and running for the rest of the month..since I am just now catching up on the blog) I went to two
farmers markets, helped with the harvests and got rid of 75 lbs of tomatoes
that needed to be used asap. I made 13 jars of tomato sauce, 9 jars of salsa, 13 containers of tomato &
roasted red pepper soup and an extra large mason jar of dehydrated
tomatoes. My Winter self will thank me.
Great to be home. 100% Root Bottom
Kira & her giant pumpkin :)
Tomatoes still had a few weeks left in them...Morgan estimated over 1,200 lbs this season
Heading to market in the farm truck
Making the weekly "left over" farm juice
The first apple from our orchard. Good texture and great taste.
Fall garden to the left, annual garden finishing out the season to the right
Morgan cooling off
Making tomato sauce
13 jars of tomato sauce, 9 jars of salsa, 13 containers of tomato & roasted red pepper soup and an extra large mason jar of dehydrated tomatoes. My Winter self will thank me.