In 1969...

My cousin Michael, recently returned from the all-expenses paid tour of Vietnam,  my sister Carolyn and I did one of the great trips of my life, although I did not fully appreciate it at the time.  

We backpacked from Agnew Meadows in the eastern Sierras to Thousand Islands Lake.  This is a place of spectacular beauty.  I was 12, and not used to serious hiking, much less carrying a 10 pound pack.  But in my memory,  it was awesome.   Ever since my 2014 stroke, I have regretted that I did not do that again.  My health just was not good enough to spend days out of contact with emergency medical services. 

If you want to see its beauty,  see this video of a guy's overnight backpacking trip there. He must be in great shape.  We needed three days to get there and three to get back.

I am healthy enough now that it no longer seems risky to do an overnight backpacking trip.