March 20- Heading Out & Second Chances

It was sad to leave such a beautiful place. I'm so grateful I got to go there with Joseph. No matter what happens I will never regret this trip and grateful for the time there together. What is it like to hike 3,000 elevation gain in 10 miles with the last 1,000 feet in 1 mile? Not too bad actually! It was starting to get hot on our way out, but it felt great after all the cold!! WE MADE IT!!! Sleeping on the ground, on MRE food, stuck together.... God is good!! 

On the drive back we stopped in a small town called Kingsman AZ. It was actually cute. I felt like I was getting my hallmark movie where we wandered the super large sidewalk (the drop off was a foot) and enjoyed just spending time together. We enjoyed pizza, REAL FOOD!!! And calling our sweet children and finally hearing their voices. While we were gone, Maria broke up with her crusty boyfriend. Jody started dancing when he heard the news. And we drove to Vegas, dirty and tired, but still just so grateful to be together.

As we were driving to Vegas I swear I booked a hotel in Henderson. Apparently it was a hotel we had stayed at years ago and had a horrible trip. I don't need to dwell on the bad memories. When we got there I was immediately triggered. Jody mostly is able to stay calm in situations where he sees I'm not doing to good and he made a valid point, second chance. Our second chance there was all the better. We worked together to clean up our stuff, fix our bags for the next day's flight. We had an explosion of jam we were able to clean up in the weird smelling room that had no air conditioning. And even though we were on the 2nd floor and had to haul our 40 lb bags up the stairs, it was a good second chance. It was so much better than the first time. We were present, we were laughing, we were exhausted, but we were together. Plus we got Pinkbox donuts for a second time!!! 

 

March 19- Navaho Falls

It was our last day of full camp before it was time to pack up and leave. How do you spend time knowing you have to go? Fortunately the weather finally picked up temperature and we were able to do a short hike to Navaho falls and sunbathe and wade among and behind the waterfall. There was a crazy lady doing yoga and talking on her cell phone... which was amazing because we had ZERO service. I couldn't even connect to a satellite to call out. It was a blessing and an annoyance. The sun was so beautiful and warm. The sounds were peaceful. The helicopter was LOUD and that was about every 15 minutes. I admire the people who are able to live like that.... so isolated. It truly is a small piece of heaven on earth. In a world as connected as ours though it seems like it would be really hard. I read. Jody breathed. We just were still which is such a luxury. It was a deep connection to the earth, with each other. We managed to stay in the present for the most part. It was a beautiful day.

 

March 18- Beaver Falls and Mooney Falls

I've done Half Dome twice and the sketchy sketchy flume of snow and ice on Mt. Whitney... and I felt pretty scared on this one as well. BECAUSE IT WAS SLIPPERY!!!

Within 2 minutes down, I hated a patch that was right on the edge with no guardrails. It was not for those who are afraid of heights. Almost immediately you descend into a cavity of rock that is pretty dark. There are chains and decently spaced footings, but they take time to figure out because they are uneven. I went face first because I have issues, but I saw Jody's shoes and noticed they weren't zipped inside. The water shoes he would need for the water crossings. I didn't say anything. And of course, he ended up losing a Chaco. Insert camp drama we will later revisit with every 50+ hiker that we see. 

We made it down with a lady named Tina who was pretty flustered. It was freezing cold and we were getting wet, there was no way around it. But at the point you are able to just get down, you're happy to be alive. All trails was great, but even better were the pink ribbons that guided us. You had to be so careful not to miss them. They marked the trail well and were what got us to Beaver Falls!!! It was an 8 miler with 3 water crossings.... having only 1 water shoe slowed us down just a little. We had a photo shoot at Beaver Falls and it was all to ourselves. More people came after us and the experience bonded us all as we thought to ourselves will we die today? We climbed up some pretty rickety ladders and were grateful none collapsed. The weather was mild, and over all pleasant, but definitely cooler. When the sun would peek through the clouds it felt like life was restored. 

We feasted on beef jerky, trail mix, and an MRE. It was peaceful, it was quiet and it was humbling to be amidst such glory. It was a manifestation that God is perfect and all knowing. It fills you with wonder and with a sense of His power. And her power, our All Knowing Mother. Our All Giving Mother. We were grateful to be alive and make it back to camp.