Diversion from original "Yoga Plan"

Taking a trip up the hills to catch a glimpse of the Himalayan Peaks, my dear Dutch friends, Olav and Paula, and I became intoxicated with the distant mts. Within an hour from returning from the temple visits and views, the 3 of us have planned a 5 day trek to get a little closer. This will be a civilized excursion--walking 6-7 hours a day after the 8 hour road trip from Rishikesh to "base camp". None of us had come to India intending to venture into the Himalaya, but the raw, vast power of the young mountain chain is seductive. So today, we run around town gathering chocolate, snacks, gloves, and extra layers to support us while exploring the lake and temple area on the edge of a glacier. We've been gifted a bottle of whiskey to help with the below freezing temperatures under the stars, and the cook has promised warm chai and coffee at sunrise. A different kind of sun salutation---the "ashram" yoga will have to wait. The photos here are just a few images captured around town between errands.
More soon