63. First Camping Trip in the Wilderness

Some of Que's colleagues invite us to join them on a three day camping trip in the highest nearby mountain range. Que goes up a day early with the guys to scout out a good site, and scare off the bears...


As soon as we get into the high alpine elevations, we see piles of square and perfectly round, white granite rocks.


Wild lilies, Indian paintbrush and groupings of Aspens dot the trail. We run across this exceptional avalanche of granite on our hike on Giant Rock Park trail. In many ways it reminds me of Yosemight National Forest--but without a single soul for miles...


Our camping companions are avid fly fishermen. Photo by Que


Delicious rainbows on the hibache...


Que checks out the campsite riverbank.


Yours truly at one of many devastatingly beautiful (and people free) crystal clear swimming holes on the trail.


After we return from our hike, I sneak away for an hour of sketch time at the campsite riverbank. I could've sat out there for three hours---except it was my turn to cook. Ink with bamboo pen, brush, and creek water on hardware store paper