4.2018

Zion Nat'l Park, Columbine

Wild and Scenic River

The Yuba River. Wild. Scenic. Majestic. Powerful. Spirited.

Living in the Sierra Foothills offers consistent reminders of life’s blessings. I am surrounded by exquisite, simple, natural beauty: trees, flowers, birds, cool sweet air in the morning, dazzling stars at night, and the Yuba River…the jewel of the Sierras. Yesterday morning found me at Hoyt’s Crossing, on my well established summer river schedule–my car is parked by 9, I’m at the beach by 9:30, I luxuriate in relative solitude until 11:30-ish, and I am hiking back to my car before noon, just as the crowd begins to amass. Grace is by my side, thrilled to be on the trail, and she knows exactly what side trail to take to our beach.

The roar of the river was impressive as I hiked to Hoyt’s. Glimpses of the water through the trees brought views of high, fast flow. Our beach was not covered by water as several along the trail had been, but there was much less beach available. I’ve chosen this beach over and over again for its fabulous deep, calm swimming hole and the perfectly shaped rocks at the upper end of the hole are inviting to scramble up onto for warming up in the sun.

Not yesterday. The rocks were not only completely underwater, but had created a sort of break point for the flow so that the river crashed into the rocks then split in two as it aggressively flowed downstream. The current was so strong up to the shoreline, that I knew immediately that tossing Grace’s ball into the flow would carry it away and into the next set of rapids at the bottom of the hole. She sensed too, the intensity of the river flow, choosing to stay at the water’s edge instead of jumping right in to swim with delight.

So we ended up hanging out on the beach, barely dipping in our toes, watching the trees and bushes sway in the wind, and simply enjoying the gorgeous river without getting wet. A divine morning.

Next time, we’ll swim.

Robin Mallery

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"When my husband of 34 years died I lost my interest in cooking.  Instead I began relying on quick frozen organic entrees and dinners. After three years I decide to improve the quality of my diet, so I contacted Robin Mallery. Robin helped me create a more nourishing and healthful diet that took my busy teaching and consulting schedule into consideration.

It was a joy to work with Robin. She is knowledgeable, supportive, intuitive, and warm.  I highly recommend her as a Heart Healthy Coach.

Through lifestyle counseling, the sharing of her delicious and healthy family recipes, and an informative and fun "field trip" to a local whole food market, I have shifted to an eating plan that is healthy, delicious, and swiftly prepared. The key to swift and healthy meal preparation for me has been Robin's 90-minute Sunday afternoon food prep model, a strategy that assures quick and delicious high quality meals throughout the week. I consider my leisurely Sunday afternoon food preparation time as self-indulgent "me" time, and enjoy chopping, baking, and sauteing against the backdrop of classical music and a glass of wine.  I also love the fact that a nutritious and delicious dinner is ready when I walk through the door every night of my work week.  It's as if I finally have that personal chef I have always coveted, only it's me!"  ---Patricia J., Nevada City

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