I had major knee surgery in October of 2020 which resulted in a slow rehab of patience and persistence so my year looked much different than many. However, step by step I climbed my way back and according to Gaia I walked/hiked nearly 1,500 miles with over 100,000 feet ascended/descended during the year. I don’t track everything but it’s a good indicator of my activity.
January
This was a month where I came to appreciate ADA (American with Disabilities Act) trails, notably flat, smooth, and often paved. Being outside and finding local beauty kept me sane. 2021 – Winter Wisdom . . . Quantum Leaps and Silver Linings
February
It was early wildflower season and while still hiking and walking with one crutch I was able to spend more time on trails, including some easy dirt trails. It was fabulous to get off the pavement. CA – February 2021 Jaunts . . . starring Shasta and Tehama Counties
March
It was another month of working with physical therapy to rebuild hip strength and gait. Thankfully it was also early spring in far Northern California so I enjoyed green grasses and wildflowers. It was a fun game searching for flattish good terrain trails.
- CA – March 2021 Jaunts . . . starring Shasta County (Part 1)
- CA – March 2021 (Part 2) Wildflowers of Shasta County
April
Some novice botanists befriended me and were happy to share adventures. My hiking was still somewhat limited but my knee rehab was going according to plan.
- CA – April 2021, Wildflowers of Shasta County (Part 1)
- CA – April 2021, Wildflowers of Shasta County (Part 2)
- CA – April 2021, Wildflowers of Butte County
- CA – April 2021, Wildflowers of Tehama County
May
This was a month of progress, setbacks, and timeouts in my recovery. I graduated from physical therapy at the end of May and that was reason to celebrate! Oh and dare I mention another month of enjoying plentiful wildflowers, many new to me.
- CA – Lassen Volcanic National Park, Flowers, Ice and So Much More (May 2021)
- CA – The Eddys, Parks Creek Trailhead – Let’s Go Hiking! (May 2021)
- CA – Wildflowers of Trinity County, May 2021
June
This was an exciting month as I pushed boundaries and set new milestone victories. My longest mileage was 7.5 miles, biggest elevation gain 1500′, and finally reached a 3 mph active pace on flattish pavement.
- CA – Lassen Volcanic National Park, Mill Creek Falls (June 2021)
- CA – Lassen Volcanic National Park, Manzanita Creek Trail (June 2021)
- CA – Lassen Volcanic National Park, Paradise Meadows (June 2021)
- CA – Klamath National Forest, Kangaroo Lake Botanical Area (June 2021)
- CA – Lassen Volcanic National Park, Sifford Lakes (June 2021)
July
Be still my heart, it was time to travel once again. I was beyond excited to share time with my friend Joan while being back in adventure mode. I was still in knee and body rehab mode and continued achieving more victories with a 9 mile maximum, 2,000′ elevation gain and my first backpack trip.
- CA – Lassen Volcanic National Park, Nobles Trail, Hat Creek Section (July 2021)
- WA – PCT Section H . . . as in Hike your own Hike, J&J Style (Stevenson to White Pass) (Days 1-4)
- WA – PCT Section H . . . as in Hike your own Hike, J&J Style (Stevenson to White Pass) (Days 5-7)
- WA – PCT Section H . . . as in Hike your own Hike, J&J Style (Stevenson to White Pass) (Days 7-8)
- WA – PCT Section H . . . as in Hike your own Hike, J&J Style (Stevenson to White Pass) (Days 9-12)
- WA – Mount Rainier National Park, Stevens Canyon (July 2021)
- WA – Mount Rainier National Park, Paradise (July 2021)
- WA – Mount Rainier National Park, Sunrise (Sourdough Ridge/Sunrise Rim Loop) (July 2021)
- WA – Mount Rainier National Park, Sunrise (Sourdough Ridge/Dege Peak) (July 2021)
- WA – Mount Rainier National Park, Mowich Lake Trailhead (Spray Park) (July 2021)
August
This month marked my time to escape wildfire smoke. It was an opportunity to spend time in the Redwoods which provided plenty of gentle trails and fresh air.
- CA – Redwood Coast (Part 1 of 2) (Aug 2021)
- CA – Redwood Coast (Part 2 of 2) (Aug 2021)
- CA – Klamath National Forest, Living Memorial Sculpture Garden (August 2021)
September
I found myself celebrating autumn in Washington. What a wonderful treat to play among larch trees turning yellow and wander among the tapestry of color lining many trails. I also did my first solo backpack trip since my knee surgery and set a new milestone of 11.25 miles.
- OR – Newberry National Volcanic Monument (Sept 2021)
- WA – Alpine Lakes Wilderness, Ingalls Creek Trail (Sept 2021)
- WA – Alpine Lakes Wilderness, Rachel Lake (Sept 2021)
- WA – Alpine Lakes Wilderness, Ingalls Pass (Sept/Oct 2021)
- WA – North Cascades, Maple Pass Trail (Sept 2021)
- WA – North Cascades, Blue Lake and Cutthroat Pass (Sept 2021)
October-December
I turned south and celebrated autumn colors in Washington and Oregon before finishing my fall jaunt with snow in Crater Lake. It was a magical way to close out this year of rehab. By the time I returned home we received early season rain cleaning the air of residual wildfire smoke and extinguishing any remaining. I celebrated my knee surgery anniversary, set new rehab milestones including a 15-mile hike, another with 2,600 feet elevation gain/loss and my first snowshoe outing.
- WA – Mount Rainier National Park, Chinook Pass (Oct 2021)
- OR – John Day Fossil Beds National Monument (Oct 2021)
- OR – Central Cascades Jaunting (Oct 2021)
- OR – Crater Lake National Park, Falling into Winter (Oct 2021)
- CA – Autumn Jaunting, Shasta/Trinity County Style (Oct-Dec 2021)
What will 2022 bring? More travel, more hiking, more backpacking, more adventures!
Jan's Jaunts and Jabberings 
My husband just said, “Jan’s jaunts in January”. 🙂
Now that sounds like a great title! Tell him thanks 🙂
Not only are amazing, you are also a masterful example of what Plan B is all about.
Ah thanks, aren’t we all? Either pout or have a Plan B, C, D in your pocket.