I am in Mammoth Lakes, CA for a wedding that was held on Friday morning. Yes, the new ‘look at me generation’ likes to have their weddings on 11K peaks and then snow board down in their wedding dress while live streaming on tik tok. We stood up there in our nice clothes with the wind whipping through our formerly nice done up hair and wish the new couple well as they slid down the black diamond run. Anyway, the next day we decided to go hiking.
One of the areas that I like to hike is up over Duck Pass, and it had been a while since I had been there. We set out for that, but the snow had not melted off quite yet and the road heading up to St. Mary Campground was closed. Consequently, I just decided to wing in and part at Twin Lakes and just walk up the nice paved bike path toward Mary Lake. I had never walked up that and they had really improved that area since the last time I had been there.
Of course the walk was great, slight wind through the trees, gentle sunshine with a nice temperature of around 60 F. Light snow patches, and a gentle grade gave my kids an easy time. I had planned on kicking their tails with a nice switch back trail, but they got off easy today. Of course, I like to brag but when we got to Lake Mary, we hung a right up the road and out of the corner of my eye, I noticed a nice bench. We headed that direction in search for a nice place to have lunch.
I laid down on the bench and by some miracle the backpack I rested my head on was comfortable. How often does that happen? Anyway, the bench was long so that I could fit my long frame all stretched out and very quickly started getting mesmerized by the swaying tops of the pine trees against the backdrop of a mountain landscape surrounding a beautiful blue lake. I dozed off, sounds of the kids talking, my daughter trying to skip rocks. I woke to my daughter asking me some question, and my Dad guilt woke me and I slowly stood up.
I then noticed the bench was dedicated to a former Olympic Swimmer and Water Polo player named Roy Saari. He died in 2008, and had retired a city planner for Mammoth Lakes. He was a unique swimmer, having a different style, but probably one of the best of his time. He swam for Gold Metals in the 1964 Olympic games, following a great career in the NCAA swimming and playing polo for the USC Trojans.
As I was dozing on Roy’s bench I had some worry on my mind. Things going on at the company stressing me out. Trying to take a deep breath and relax. Asking the God of this amazing place what should I do? How should I handle this anxiety? With this prayer still floating in the air around me as I got up from the bench, I looked down and on the plaque and in tribute to Roy Saari the following phrase was highlighted:
“Rest Here, Gain Strength, Fight On”
So I did, and So I shall. Thanks Roy.
Guy Reams
