Someone asked for pictures -- so here they are!
This is where it all begins...
Walter's Wiggles - a clever name for a set of switchbacks that could possibly make you cry! We made amazing time on the switchbacks - only stopping once - and only long enough for Alicia to catch up! The switchbacks are long, steep and seem to never end. They are about 1.5 miles long and really are brutal. The end of the hike is intense - but the switchbacks are where you better be prepared to prove yourself! A view of the Wiggles from above.
In answer to my question of, "Is that where we are headed?"
The answer was, "Yes, Mom - the top of that - that is where we are going."
The next obvious question was.... HOW?!
Well - little steps cut into the rock - kind of...
Yes... that is the path...
and up cracks and crevices in the rock if you want to do it the hard way or you can use the chains and steps (to the left) apparently designed for people who are significantly taller than me.
It helps if you are hiking with a sweet daughter and an entertaining and encouraging son-in-law...
What the @#$# - we're going up there?!
Yes, we are and remember - what goes up must come down...
I apologize to my mom in advance if she is looking at these photos as she isn't a fan of heights or her loved ones climbing them. When we were climbing the Leaning Tower of Pisa she sat in The Cathedral of our Lady of the Assumption next door and prayed for us. Similar family lore exists for The Eiffel Tower, The Grand Canyon, etc. (I think you get the gist - she doesn't like heights). I hope it helps her to know that we held on really, really tight!
Some rather scary places were actually chainless -part of the overall
Republican cut-backs I think... oh, but I digress...
At the top where we fought off hordes of chipmunks who apparently had not been notified that they should be afraid of people. FYI - PEOPLE PLEASE STOP FEEDING THE CHIPMUNKS!(That means you, Tyler)
The View 
If we look more tired at the beginning of the hike it is because I only took pictures on the way down - the pictures are in order from beginning to end - but were taken in reverse order -- if that makes sense.
The hike was in a word... AMAZING.
It was physical, it was spiritual and it was emotional.
Thanks again to Tyler and Alicia - for going with me.
Thanks to Katie - for getting me ready.
...and special thanks to someone for keeping me grounded.
It was indeed a Celebration of Life.
