Introduction

Geese under a willow tree in Elk Grove CA; photo recently taken by me

I was sitting in the Ikea West Sacramento parking lot, dreading going back to the homeless shelter, when I thought, “Who’s to stop me from just going to Yosemite right now?”

I know what you’re thinking: “Yosemite without reservations in April?” But, this isn’t my first rodeo.

Twelve hours later, I packed up everything except my bicycle, a twin mattress protector, and my Betsey Johnson cat slippers.

At exactly 6am, I left, telling the other women at the shelter, “I’ll be back in three days!”

Other than to retrieve my beloved bicycle, I never went back.