THE ROAD LESS TRAVELLED BY

Two roads diverged in the woods, and I --

I took the one less travelled by,

And that has made all the difference.
                                              - Robert Frost

My birthday spurred several dinner gatherings over the last few nights.  Not surprisingly, conversations revolved around paths in life and the unexpected, yet rewarding, turns one sometimes takes.  Much like Robert Frost's roads in the woods.

This triggered memories of our delightful hike early this summer in the Sequoia National Forest.  The dappled path below was peacefully untrodden for long stretches. Despite being in a large traveling party, my frequent detours and stops with the camera left me in solitude for extended periods.

Dappled path to Tokopah Falls
Sequoia National Forest
Photo: The Foolish Aesthete

I hopped from rock to rock to dodge creeks of melting snow on the path. (Thoughts of Lewis & Clark and their expeditions out West energized my trek.)  Ah, the road less traveled by!

"Creek" from melting snow
on the path to Tokopah Falls
Sequoia National Forest
Photo: The Foolish Aesthete

The real creek parallel to the path was barely visible here, but its rush and spray against the rocks signaled the proximity of the Falls.

The real creek below, fed by Tokopah Falls
Sequoia National Forest
Photo: The Foolish Aesthete

Finally - Tokopah Falls!  You can see the scale of the Falls relative to our (tiny) picnic party on the lower left.

Tokopah Falls
Sequoia National Forest
Photo: The Foolish Aesthete

Trite and cliche, but it truly is as much about the journey as it is the destination.

Have you taken a few detours in life that surprised you?