High On Life

The recent Clark’s Fork trip was a smashing success; at least, that is my opinion. We could have easily been accused of being overzealous, being that, in spite of threats of foul weather, and questions about how many people would follow, a handful of us set out for the mountains days early.

The mood was high with laughs as Grizzly-Glenn and I powered down the highway. The engine of his pickup rumbled loud on unleaded gas and our brains’  sputtered-wild on gallons of caffeinated beverages, and anticipation.  “Woo-Who!” I popped off periodically along the way. My Redbull fueled yelps dotted the trip like landmarks jotted on a map as we traveled out of the bustle of Alameda County, past the orchards of the San Joaquin, and through the valley where old oaks seem to outnumber people.

Climbing up-up-up highway 108 the tall pines and cedars of the Stanislaus National Forest gathered, and thickened along the mountainous landscape. The higher we went the more the air cooled, and the awe of seeing snowcapped peaks, was quickly supplanted by a sense of wonder at the sight of snow drifts along the roadside. Towns with curious names fell behind us: Twain Heart, Confidence, Mi-Wuk, and finally Strawberry, the last town before the turnoff.

As we made the turn onto Clark Fork Road and entered the home stretch my anticipation for the days to come grew with each passing mile. Glenn and I marveled at the snow that blanketed most of the campground. A loop was empty except for us, and campers at one other site. We were the first to arrive. In five years and nine trips to Clark’s Fork I had never seen snow in the campground.

In the back of my mind I knew that in the past I would have worried about the snow, the weather, and a hundred other things out of my control, but instead I was simply excited. The snow was not some negative mark against the trip that could be tallied under the heading “Bad” with a bunch of other things that were out of my control. I saw it with a kind of child-like wonder that only an open door on a past full of lonely-black-drinking can put into perspective.

The Summer Ahead

Article “High On Life”

5 Cities Picnic

International Convention

Another Chance

Even though things are heating up, technically, we are only heading into summer. Of course, there are always good times to be had at 5 Cities Fellowship. This newsletter briefly covers one event recently past, and looks forward to The Summer Ahead.

Standing in the campsite, the forest hummed with the song of nature. The wind gently strummed the treetops. Birds and bugs of every sort chirped and buzzed. The river, brimming with snowmelt, thundered in the distance. As I surveyed the campground memories of sober friends danced through my mind like happy ghosts traced in firelight.

“It is going to be the best trip ever,” I told Grizzly-Glenn, but I could tell that he already knew.

We were alive, happy, and living sober.

Written by Joe Dirt & Pictures by Ben G.

The 2010 International Convention of Alcoholics Anonymous will be held July 1-4 in San Antonio, Texas with the theme “A Vision for You.”

Get More Details

If you missed your chance to go to Clark’s Fork and would like another lucky for you! Sometime between the end of July & the begining of August we are planning to go again. So keep up on events , and offer feedback if you are interested.