Life, Death and the Metamorphic Conspiracy, Sequoia National Park: Photos 42 to 59

The weekend before I was to have surgery, I decided to go on one last backpacking trip. Honestly I didn't know if I would ever be able to go backpacking again. What if the cancer had penetrated the bladder wall, spread to the lymph nodes and required serious treatment? I might need my bladder removed completely, or perhaps radiation therapy, chemotherapy and more surgeries. My future was uncertain, so I decided it best to forget about everything and go to church- The High Sierra Nevada Mountains.

Instinct told me the best place to go was the tallest and most pristine part of the Sierra's- Sequoia National Park. The road we took was treacherous, the drive was horrendously long- it took 2 hours to go 30 miles. The Valley we visited has been deforested by the mining operations there at the turn of the century, and the trailhead quotas are frequently full. It's Perfect!

We shared the campsite with deer, over 15 deer. They seemed playful, unafraid. My mind alternated between wonder and contentment, then reality snapped and I contemplated my upcoming surgery. "I have cancer" is all it takes to really make you define reality. Close your eyes, breath-

Full Text Entry: Life, Death and the Metamorphic Conspiracy, Sequoia National Park

Just admiring your latest pics with my grandma and mum, we are all oohing and aahing! Heading to Chile????

Amazing pics and text! Good to hear that all is going well.

Great pics as usual and hey congrats on the medical thing. Ur first paragraph gave me a scare!

Hey - Good to hear the op went well. Keep me updated with your travel plans. Might see you for a beer at some point! E

Seems all I do is rate your photos with 5s!

You'll be nice & ready for the kind of food poisoning that only Cambodia can provide :')

I read almost all of your blogs but probably this is my 1st comment. Love your writing. Keep traveling, keep writing. When you are down just think, "This too shall pass". It will definitely pass:-) travelbuffs

Isn't my son just amazing !!!

I love your pictures Steve. I think you remember me, a friend of Jeff Briet's who went on a trip a few years ago to ????. The reservoir which was very low, and I sunk in the mud at shoreline while trying to release a nice rainbow trout. Maybe you remember I have property in Three Rivers, just a mile or so from the turnoff from Hwy 198 to the Mineral King road. It is a 5th Wheel trailer, and u are welcome to join me there (as base camp) on your next trip to Mineral King. Let me know when u want to go and I will join u. I don't know details on your bladder surgery or diagnosis, but it sounds like u are doing well now after the surgery. Glad to hear!!!! Going to the "Church" of the High Sierra is the best medicine there is! Best wishes.... keep me posted. Bruce Hultgren

hey dear, i haven't kept up with all your messages so just saw your entry now a few minutes ago and i was SHOCKED

me again...not sure what happened to the previous message. aaaanyway, all i wanted to say is that i am very happy to hear that surgery went well and that you will be able to continue travelling and taking amazing pictures. look forward to more!!! as for myself for some reason i haven't been feeling like updating my blog even though i have been doing quite some travelling in the last 6 months....well, i might still get around to doing it soonish...be well and stay happy!! take care, christina

Hi Steve! Best wishes for your health recovery. May God Bless you and grant you another opportunity to visit high peaks of His creation. I lived in Chile 10 years and still in love with chilean memories of breathtaking sights, landscaping and people. I was blessed that my Father, may He rest in peace (in Chile) was and ocean explorer in Chile and my 2 months School vacation time spent traveling with him from Arica to Punta Arenas, Chiloe, Isla Mocha, etc. My heart beat fast with excitment seening the pictures you shared online where i had been before like Cajon del Maipu and other places in Chile. Steve may Merciful God grant you health, peace, happiness and Trust in Him! Tropical Regards, Marysia

Just admiring your latest pics with my grandma and mum, we are all oohing and aahing! Heading to Chile????

Amazing pics and text! Good to hear that all is going well.

Great pics as usual and hey congrats on the medical thing. Ur first paragraph gave me a scare!

Hey - Good to hear the op went well. Keep me updated with your travel plans. Might see you for a beer at some point! E

Seems all I do is rate your photos with 5s!

You'll be nice & ready for the kind of food poisoning that only Cambodia can provide :')

I read almost all of your blogs but probably this is my 1st comment. Love your writing. Keep traveling, keep writing. When you are down just think, "This too shall pass". It will definitely pass:-) travelbuffs

Isn't my son just amazing !!!

I love your pictures Steve. I think you remember me, a friend of Jeff Briet's who went on a trip a few years ago to ????. The reservoir which was very low, and I sunk in the mud at shoreline while trying to release a nice rainbow trout. Maybe you remember I have property in Three Rivers, just a mile or so from the turnoff from Hwy 198 to the Mineral King road. It is a 5th Wheel trailer, and u are welcome to join me there (as base camp) on your next trip to Mineral King. Let me know when u want to go and I will join u. I don't know details on your bladder surgery or diagnosis, but it sounds like u are doing well now after the surgery. Glad to hear!!!! Going to the "Church" of the High Sierra is the best medicine there is! Best wishes.... keep me posted. Bruce Hultgren

hey dear, i haven't kept up with all your messages so just saw your entry now a few minutes ago and i was SHOCKED

me again...not sure what happened to the previous message. aaaanyway, all i wanted to say is that i am very happy to hear that surgery went well and that you will be able to continue travelling and taking amazing pictures. look forward to more!!! as for myself for some reason i haven't been feeling like updating my blog even though i have been doing quite some travelling in the last 6 months....well, i might still get around to doing it soonish...be well and stay happy!! take care, christina

Hi Steve! Best wishes for your health recovery. May God Bless you and grant you another opportunity to visit high peaks of His creation. I lived in Chile 10 years and still in love with chilean memories of breathtaking sights, landscaping and people. I was blessed that my Father, may He rest in peace (in Chile) was and ocean explorer in Chile and my 2 months School vacation time spent traveling with him from Arica to Punta Arenas, Chiloe, Isla Mocha, etc. My heart beat fast with excitment seening the pictures you shared online where i had been before like Cajon del Maipu and other places in Chile. Steve may Merciful God grant you health, peace, happiness and Trust in Him! Tropical Regards, Marysia