Down day

May 25

First to leave the next morning. Said my see ya later's but really sensed the lack of motivation from Josh.. Little did I know it ended up being the last I'd see of him.. Another hot sunny mostly shadeless day... Don't think I've said but my knees had been hurting a little before Warner Springs and they were again this day. In addition to that as I was using my trekking poles to clear spider webs I ended up turning my ankle. Bit of a bummer on what was already feeling like a down day. Thoughts questioning just how much I really wanted to do this... Thoughts of quiting and heading back to the comforts and conveniences of 'normal' life... Thoughts of getting hurt out here and how vulnerable that made me feel... But I knew I'd had bad days before and fortunately they always seem to be fewer than the good ones. They say don't quit on a bad day for a reason.

So I slowly tried to walk off the ankle pain, being careful not to begin favoring one side over the other in fear of causing more problems. Massaged the ankle during breaks and took some vitamin I (Ibuprofen). Luckily ankle worked itself out fine and I didn't even feel that I'd hurt it a couple days later. I guess the blessing and curse of a bad ankle? It gives/turns easier but it also seems used to getting injured and recovers fairly quickly, given it's not a bad sprain.

Given I ended up moving a bit slower Rory caught up despite her continued blister problems. We ended up hanging out at a water source under some most welcome shade, each of us finding our own bush closeby. Ate a snack while treating our water and trying to wait up a bit for Josh. But with the nice breeze and cool shade I ended up taking a very nice short nap. That felt soo good. Waking to find some cactus pricklies in my back and hand from pushing off the grass to right myself barely registered as a minor inconvenience I felt so good :) Love how little things like that can completely change your day.

I also think that it was that afternoon when after hydrating really well at that nice long break that I came up with the notion that I've come to accept as an explanation and rule I've been operating under since. That is that my knee pain is really a pretty good indicator, or barometer, of how poorly hydrated I am! Ever since I've been virtually pain free and much better hydrated.

No Josh so we eventually pushed on, leaving him a quick note in the middle of the trail with small rocks letting him know that we were planning on finding a place to camp in just another five miles. I ended up hiking ahead, probably b/c Rory had to stop again for blister/duct tape maintenance, and found a nice dry wash bed to set up in for the night.

Left another sign for Josh indicating where we'd set up camp but he never made it.

Heard a bunch more cayotes crying out that evening before dark. Nice clear starry sky but as usual the eyes couldn't stay open for long.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Location:Dry creek bed