I finally made it to the Sierra, staying for a week in the Mammoth Lakes area. At 8,400 feet the high altitude was workable, although I was sometimes out of breath since some hikes were above 9,000 feet. At one point, my blood oxygen level dropped to 77 before returning back to a more reasonable level. I hiked every day, and wildflowers were surprisingly abundant. I often thought of Tim as we keyed out more than 60 native plants.

I was glad we were able to use a handicapped placard to drive to the trailheads instead of taking the mandatory shuttle buses which were always crammed with unmasked visitors. Fortunately, there were very few people on the trails. I don't have any more trips planned in the near future since it's still fairly dicey out there as far as COVID goes. But, at least this trip makes me consider what might be possible.

Tomorrow, I go in for my biweekly infusion of monoclonal antibodies. This time, I'm also getting an additional infusion of a bisphosphonate (Zometa) to treat bone damage from the multiple myeloma and prevent fractures. Hoping for little or no side-effects.

Thanks to Judith, Polly and Karen for making this trip possible.

Minaret Vista Trail; Scarlet Trumpet (Ipomopsis aggregata); Convict Lake; Sierra Rein Orchid (Platanthera dilatata); One of the forks of the San Joaquin River; Swallowtails on Fly-trap Dogbane (Apocynum androsaemifolium); Devils Postpile; Foothill Penstemon (Penstemon heterophyllus)