Yoga ~ Anne Nowell

Camp Far Horizons was founded in 1954. One of the founders, G.V. Hull, was instrumental in helping to develop King’s Canyon in ways that have made this natural wonder more assessible for visitors. Partially as a result of his work, the Theosophical Society was awarded an extended lease on National Park land with provisions to develop and improve said land. The first buildings went up in 1955 , and many of these are still in use due to the skillfulness of Mr. Hull’s construction design.

Upkeep is a continuing consideration for any facility.  Landscaping and building maintenance are key concerns at Far Horizons, which functions as a camp only 3 out of 12 months a year and is heavily snowed in during winter months. Recently at Camp there was the necessity of removal of several large trees. These trees had become diseased by natural causes and were at risk of falling into buildings. In these photos I have captured the process of removing 100 + foot trees, which is not an easy task physically or psychologically. The team of arborist, Joel Bawcum, was exact in their duties and Camp is grateful to them for their expertise.

A famous Biblical quote acknowledges “To Everything There Is a Season”. These majestic trees had many ” seasons”. Moving forward, there is the certainty that many fledgling Camp trees will mature into their times as well.

For a complete view please click back and forth on the photos.

Photo captions:
#1.  Diseased kitchen tree, approximately 100 feet tall
#2.  Limb removal, note proximity to cabins
# 3. Almost done, sawing the base
#4. Dining Room Stump with volunteer beauties!
#5. Diseased tree, minimum 150 feet tall
#6. Note proximity to Sugar Pine Cabin
#7. Joel among the limbs
#8. On top, 100 feet up
#9. No top or limbs
#10. Debris at the base, note notch for felling
#11. Ready to fall
#12. After the fall, now a home for chipmunks

The hiking in King’s Canyon is superb! There are endless miles of hiking trails; some to lakes or waterfalls, some to the biggest trees on the planet, and others to fabulous view points high above the earth. One such viewpoint is the Buck Rock Lookout Post. At 8,500 feet it is a bit like being in an airplane. The post is used as a lookout for fires and the park employees sleep there. Check out these photos and click back and forth for a larger view. I was clinging to the railing to be sure!!

Photo Captions:
#1  The lookout from ground level; click for full view.
#2  Halfway up the steps
#3  At the railing of the lookout
#4  Close up, check out the bird feeder behind my pigtail.
#5  At 8,500 feet this hummingbird was inches from my camera!
#6  Back at the base with Smokey the Bear, ambassador of fire safety.

At 7,200 feet in the Sierra Nevada Mountains of California, Far Horizons is a camp established in the 1950’s by members of the Theosophical Society. The word “Camp” implies outdoors- close to nature-away from civilization. At Far Horizons there is no electricity, no cellular, no internet access, which means no Facebook!!  I can hear the gasps; for some of us this is beyond comprehension!

It is very necessary to slow down and to disconnect in order to reconnect with the rhythm of  Nature. In these photos I will introduce you to the camp. Please click back and forth for a larger view. In the coming weeks  I hope to share with you something of my journey as I rediscover  my connection to Spirit within Nature.

You are all welcome to visit me here at Camp.  For additional info, go to www.farhorizons.org

Kumbaya!!

Photo Captions:

Photo 1:  Welcome to Camp!
Photo 2:  Mountain Woman
Photo 3:  Outdoor Classroom
Photo 4:  Dining Hall
Photo 5:  My Cabin, note St Francis in the right foliage
Photo 6:  My luxury accommodations!
Photo 7:  Camp Director, Karla with husband Phil
Photo 8:  Creek bed hiking, watch out for mosquitoes!
Photo 9:  Civilization is 5 miles away, and yes, they have wireless.

On Saturday June 28,  I returned to Yoganic Studio to work with a group of friends and students in developing the theme of personal practice. One of my observations as an instructor and studio owner is that as our lives become busy with children, job, and social responsibilities, our yoga practice is often abandoned. If we change our definition of practice to include short sequences, or lifestyle routines, which include some breathing and moving, possibly we can find 5, 10, or 20 minutes a day to call yoga. By allowing ourselves to adapt our yoga to accommodate our lifestyles, there is the potential of maintaining consistency. Eventually we realize that the practice of yoga is the living of life, moment to moment and breath to breath.

Thank you to Yoganic Studio and to friends in San Diego!!

Please click on the flier for a full view.