NewEmailFromInchworm

“Hi all! Here's the latest news, though far from the latest story already. Geez, I can't keep up with myself.

I went to Saguaro National Park East outside of Tucson, dying for the desert, thirsting for the aridity and temperature challenges. I wanted to backpack there and when I went to sign up for a permit, I found out all the sites were full. Darn, well I'd have to just dayhike, but I'd bring lunch and go for the day of it. The rules say not to go off trail before 4500 feet, so I climbed and climbed and climbed in the beating sun. I shedded clothing down to a light base layer and drank lots of water. After I had reached 4500 feet, I saw a cool ridge vista where I headed for lunch. I eat, drink and be merry and decide to head on back down.

I go down and down and down and down. Finally I find the trail. Whew. That was longer than I thought I'd climbed up. Walk a bit. Hmmm.. This seems strange, it looked very different the other way around. I come to a deep arroyo and realize there is no way I crossed here because there was a big rock going halfway across like a bridge. I look up and down for antoher place I may have crossed. Nothing. The vegetation closed in tight, like a belt around my neck and I had that first strangled breath of panic because when I turned around, I couldn't even see where I had come down the rock face. In an instant, my brain inventoried the emergency supplies in my pack. I had lots of water, had just eaten a good meal, had an emergency blanket, warm clothes, a first aid kit. I'd be okay.

Meanwhile, my mind is looming "they say not to walk off the trail." Another part is arguing, "but I can see which direction to head and I have a compass. I'll be okay. I can get back out of here."
"People die wandering off trail, you idiot."
"But I'm not dumb, I knew my way. And I'm not really lost yet."
"You'll dry up, get eaten by javelinas. Wander ceaselessly in the endless saguaros. Freeze. Panic."
"No!! I will NOT panic."
And I forged my way back to where I thought I'd come and continued down the mountain. I continued to see my path, only to have it return to the reality of an open space only for several feet amongst the continuing but sparse vegetation. That's not it. That's it! No, that's not it. Oh #&%!$. Please God, help me find the path. I did. But while I took it back in my desired direction, I no longer trusted it as the path I took up the mountain. Why didn't I pay more attention? When I looked back I forgave myself as paying attention enough to recognize these endless strewn rocks bordered by prickly pear, juniper, saguaro, ocotillo, yucca and sotol. The same everywhere I could see, which was a very long way, maybe dozens of miles. Many careful breaths later, I had a sigh of relief. The trail dipped down under a juniper, offering the weary one or two steps of shade. I recognized this spot and danced in real relief. Part of my brain I think was playing little games because of the book "Danger" that I was reading. But it happens to everyone when you don't expect it. You don't go voluntarily into trouble, you look for the fence and walk it once in a while.

Well, since, I've gone on through Phoenix, Sedona, Flagstaff (excellent new year's with a veritable kaliedescope of people at the hostel), Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam, Las Vegas, and Valley of Fire State Park. Each moment has a story and now we don't have time for them all - maybe you can get the book someday.

Happy New Year to all and hope you are healthy, happy and just a little bit insane.
Love, Karen”

“That was great! I really hope she considers writing professionally sometime in the future.”

“A movie-starring who as the
"Inch Worm"????”

“only Karen can play inchworm.. but.. hMmmm.. let me think.”

“Great trip report!

Thanks for sharing it!”

“Angelina Jolie?”

“Angelina Jolie is soo hott in Tomb Raider.”

“One word: GPS”

“phil: heh.. maybe.. I have a gps.. and I am STILL capable of getting lost tho.. :)”

“Thanks TD for sharin, She gave me a couple of mojos that ironically, I used last eve out in the woods! And yes I awoke to 2'' of SNOW! Cool!Please tell her she is OK and you are only lost, when someone finds you! Jer”