Welcome to Feral Field Notes, a series where I’m documenting my 100 day writing pilgrimage across the US (begin here).
Pilgrim Passport
Start / End
Kings Canyon & Sequoia National Park
Feral Field Notes
Today was a pure rest-and-explore-with-a-friend day.
In other words: I let go of my routine, any semblance of a schedule, and my writing goals because it was simply time for a break. It reminded me of when I walked 500 miles on the Camino de Santiago in 2023 and had to learn to rest or else risk injury or overdoing it in other ways.
Despite how this is a really different kind of journey physically, there are still so many similarities. Needing to slow down and take a “day off” to hang out with a friend in the wilderness is one of them.
So, today’s field notes will be primarily a photo diary with captions.
How I greeted the morning (or how it greeted me)
Driving along Kings River in the park and pulling over often to soak it all in.
Taking the “soaking it all in” a bit more literally. I loved the feeling of the mist from the roaring water as we sat and enjoyed the river. And no, I don’t know why my braid is attempting to abandon my head.
Combining apocalyptic vibes with ice cream? This park is after my own heart.
At one point, we had to get in the river. My friend walked into the glacial waters like a crazy person while I chose to run and cannon ball in, like a crazier person. It was the coldest water I’d ever felt, and sitting on a hot boulder afterwards to dry off felt like magic.
The shot behind the shot (see below).
Sometimes I miss my DSLR and telephoto lens and wish I’d brought them along. I wish I’d never let my love of photography take a backseat, but I’m starting to take it more seriously again.
Over the years, I’ve gotten so far from the thing that originally made me love photography so much: the way it makes you slow down, pay attention, and see the world more fully and vibrantly.
I’ve been enjoying the aspect of this journey that’s involved reconnecting with the practice of photography beyond the quick point-and-shoot, including letting go of any editing or filters for the most part. Letting things just be as they are.
I loved the way the ebbing light made the canyons and mountains new again as we drove back to our campsite at the end of the day.
It was such a nice day, even taking into account how I lost my phone in my own car for nearly two hours. Woops.
Soothing photos: the soft light, the rivers, and the chipped, gigantic ice cream sign. Thanks for sharing this snapshot, Katie.
smiling inside and out. thank you. keep thriving!