It’s been a year to the day that one of my best friends on the planet took his first steps into eternity. Does that sound too poetic and flowery for a blog post from Fletch? Typically, I would say yes. In this case, it’s exactly what I mean, because if anything defined my relationship with my friend and brother-in-law, Jeff Hopper, it was the art of walking, so stepping into eternity is exactly what I see him doing.
Not only did Jeff and I walk together on multiple occasions, but we talked about walking, sauntering, hiking and we read about it together as well. When I wanted to do a podcast on walking, I asked Jeff to be a guest. He told me that he’d rather not talk about walking but instead chose to send me the book: God Walk by Mark Buchanan. The trail was a place that Jeff and I talked about life, worked out our theology and connected with God together. We walked in the Sierra together a few times, we walked on the coast together, but more often than not we walked in our neighborhoods. Since Jeff’s death last year, I think of him on every walk, hike, journey, saunter and stroll. Even now, as I picture heaven, I think of Jeff walking “higher up and further in” as he discovers the glory of God more and more.
One of my first plans I made to remember Jeff was to plan an annual hike in his memory. Hiking in the fall in California is wonderful, so I decided that the first weekend in October would be my target. The location would change, but the first year was an easy decision. Several years ago, Jeff and I walked the shore of Hetch Hetchy Reservoir in Yosemite. We had planned a return hike to the Hetch Hetchy valley, but cancer swept in and stole that opportunity. That made this hike an easy pick.
I’d love for you or anyone you know to join me on a quick hike around the Hetch Hetchy Reservoir as we remember one of my best friends. Details below.
JEFF HOPPER MEMORIAL HIKE - 2022
Wapama Falls - Hetch Hetchy Reservoir
Date: Saturday, October 1st, 2022
Time: 9am
Location: Hetch Hetchy Reservoir parking and meet right at the entrance/gate to the Hetch Hetchy Dam (Look for me)
Consider: Comfortable hiking/walking shoes, Water, Snacks, Daypack
Fees: Sorry, there is a Yosemite Entrance Fee
Plan: It’s a comfortable out and back 4.6 mile hike. Fairly challenging, but I’ve seen children on the trail. Bring cameras. We can meet in the parking lot after to share food/stories of Jeff.
For details, check out this link to AllTrails for details.
Quietly making noise,
Fletch