Hiker of the Week

The impossible could not have happened,
therefore the impossible must be
possible in spite of appearances.
from: Murder on the Orient Express
by: Agatha Christie

This is Michelle.

She's been with us at the Ridge for 2 weeks.
I hadnt had the opportunity of hiking with her until Thurs.
Wanna here her story??!!
Wanna hear again why I love my job??!!

A year ago Michelle had a staph infection that attacked her leg via a small cut on her ankle. The flesh eating bacteria went to work on her and she tells us that she was just days away from loosing her beloved leg at the thigh!!! oh my heck!!!

But with what I could only deem another miracle and with the help of modern medicine, she recovered from that horrific experience. Michelle went through the rigors of physical therapy for months and months. She was told that she may not ever walk again normally.
Yet here she is!! A year later, keeping up with the program. She told me that the first time she got on a treadmill in one of our classes she started to cry. Tears of joy and gratitude. She thought she may never be capable to doing any such thing ever again. Thurs. she hike to the top of Third Ravine with me and several other guest. She did great!! She had a smile on her face and slight limp to her gate, but soshe is thrilled and grateful at her progress and with her her come-back!! She still has some "issues" to deal with due to this devastating illness...but once again I find myself so inspired by people and their stories and the trails that some overcome!! Not to mention the witness once again to the marvel that our bodies are in their ability to recover and be healthy...given the chance.
WAY TO GO MICHELLE!!!

Perhaps nowhere else is the basic structure of the earth's surface so clearly, because so nakedly, revealed. And yet- when all we known about it is said and measured and tabulated, there remains some- thing in the soul of the place,the spirit of the whole, which cannot be fully assimilated by the human imagination. from:Heart of the Desert Wild quote by: Edward Abbey

WHAT DID YOU DO THIS MORNING??

May all your trails be crooked,
winding, lonesome, dangerous,
leading to the most amazing view...
where something strange and more
beautiful and more full of wonder
than your deepest dreams waits for you.
from:Desert Solitaire
by:Edward Abbey

I got up this morning expecting it to be like any other morning really. Im the first one up at 5:15 AM; I dress in my hiking attire which is a bright florescent green shirt, shorts and my marvelous Keens. I cant eat that early in the morning, so I check my email real quick and then head out the door. This morning I climbed into the truck and found that My Builder had been a sly one...there on the seat was a present with a card, just waiting for me to discover!! Awww...how sweet is that!!!!
He went shopping for me at one of my favorite places-COLDWATER CREEK-and choose a beautiful white blouse for my wearing pleasure!! Awwwwww....so, so spoiled am I!!
As I was driving through sleepy, peaceful St George my phone rings, vibrates really- and it was my Builder again, wishing me a happy birthday.
All this before 6:00 AM!!!
At work, Im handed a 50.00 gift certificate for the Spa, and every one wished me a heartfelt happy birthday too. Then we were given our assignments and we headed out to the trails. This morning we had 6 guests hiking with us. We had the 101 hike which was to be Anasazi Ridge. A beautiful hike indeed!!
If I didnt think that this day was going to be a good one, this mornings hike firmly confirmed to me that its going to be a GREAT day!!
When we only had about a half an hour left to hike, we took our guest down to where the Anasazi petroglyphs are located on the side of the hill. Its a treat to descend into the shady side of the hill to 'hunt' for the petroglyphs that are scattered throughout all the nooks and crannies on the sandstone rocks. Its kind of like a scavenger hunt. As we billy-goated our way along, we spotted a gentleman perched on a rock ahead of us. He was a local resident and it soon became wildly apparent that we were going to have a wonderful experience with the petroglyphs!!! His name was Ray Urbaniak and he has written a book about these remarkable Indian writings. And...he was at this particular spot this morning because it is still considered the summer solstice and he was waiting for the sun to appear between the cracks in the rock. He then proceed to educate us a little about what it was that was going to happen in a few short minutes. The guest were game to slow down and stop and watch and learn, so we all found perches, and listened. Ray has a twinkle in his eye and a passion for what he knows and sees in these beautiful Indian writings. He was so very happy to share with us wealth of knowledge.
Try and visualize this with me. We have "Tube Man and Owl Man and the spiral sun sign etched on this sandstone rock before us. I have walked past these quys for years now. I have always appreciated them for their uniqueness and for their clarity and for the history they represent.




But.....I didnt know!!! I didnt know anything!!! And now I do,(at least a little more) and I can hardly explain the awe and wonder I feel now. These figures were drawn with such care and precision and forethought, that my mind has been boggled once again. I kind of get chills when I think about it now. The sun came through that little crack above our heads, as it rose in the east above the red rocks of Snow Canyon, and shone down on these "men", these stick figures so to speak, and fell with exactness as a line through their fingers and toes and then moved said 'energy' on to the next figure above it. It was poetical and marvelous to witness. Then the light was gone. Then it came back, and had shifted the perfect distance so that the light began to move up the body again, but this time it went right through the center of their bodies!!!

(the white line you see going through "tube mans' hand is not etching. IT IS SUNLIGHT!!)

We couldnt allow ourselves to stay for the whole show (I love my job too much to screw up too much) but Ray told us it would happen again a third time and the ray of light would appear again and move up the left side of the figures, bisecting the left hands and carrying energy to each figure and to what they represent!! magical!!! How about that!!!???
Oh but wait!!!
THere's more!
As I was leaving the Spa this morning, and heading for the truck, I spotted another good omen. Right out the back door were some road runners!! Now, you may not realize this, but spotting a road runner around here is a big deal. They are an elusive bird. They make themselves scarce around these parts. Its considered good karma or mojo if you happen to spot one on your trail or anywhere near by. This morning...what do I spy...but TWO of them. It became apparent that they were, shall I say, distracted, when I saw them. They were in the midst of doing some danc'in and wiggl'in and mak'in the most unusual clicking sounds I've ever heard. I sure I was witnessing an elaborate kind of courtship dance!!! As soon as I got the camera out and attempted to snap some shots, they became distracted and scampered across the parking lot...so even though the pictures are disappointing... can I say that my glorious morning has been anything but disappointing!!!
Its good luck to spot a road runner!! I had TWO sightings!!!!

And.....HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!!!!
Im grateful to this marvelous world in which we live and to many who share it with me!!!

The best thing for being sad
is to learn something.
from: Once and Future King
by: T.H. White

(I bet Tank has never seen exercise balls before??!!)

Wednesday brought a bonus!!
We guides were treated to lecture after our hike; presented by the BLM (Bureau of Land Management)
It was very informative!!
It was a LOT of fun!!
These knowledgeable docents highlighted the intriguing critters of this area.
The star of the show was my personal favorite of our desert...the Mohave Tortoise!!
Meet:
Tater-Tot &
Tank

Sure, there was a King Snake and a Gila Monster too!!
But Tank stole the show.

they estimate that Tank is about 50years old and Tater-Tot is 5years old

apples are his favorite treat!!

and I learned some new fun things....

(first you need to understand that we have been well conditioned around here. We have become downright fearful of a chance encounter with a tortoise on a trail!! Not because the darling tortoise is vicious or preditory, but because the tortoise is thought to be on the endangered species list. Which turns out really isnt the case. They are really only on the threatened list.
We have been literally brainwashed into thinking that any encounter with the tortoise is practically illegal!!!)
Most of what we have been indoctrinated in is mostly urban legend!
They are protected to be sure. And probably for good cause! There just arent enough of these grand creatures roaming the coral sands of our area!!
And so..... the REAl reason why we dont mess with the tortoise????
We dont want to scare the liv'in pee out of them...literally!!
As you can imagine, water is a scarcity around here. When a tortoise finds water, they have to make it last. And they can, for up to 3 months, in its bladder!! Imagine!!!
And if a giant human approaches a helpless tortoise,it becomes frightened, and wets!!! And then it has no water in reserve. Thats a BAD thing for a DESERT tortoise!! They need every drop of moisture they can get!!
Now I understand why we should give them a their space!! ah ha!!!


Did you know that Gila Monsters have venom!!?? Enough to cause REAL damage to ones epidermis if you get bitten!! They talked about the possibility of loosing an arm if you are bitten there!!! ugh!!!!And man do they bite!! And they dont let go!!! Oh my, those powerful jaws!!!I guess they're kind-of beautiful in a prehistoric kind of way?

King snakes are our friends!!
They eat rattlesnakes!!(among other things) BLESS THEM!!!

Tread gently Everyone

To be plain with you, friend,
you dont carry in your
countenance a letter of recommendation.
from: Barnaby Rudge
by: Charles Dickens

Look what I spied on my hike yesterday!!!

Can you guess what it is?
Do you wonder why it is that I knew what it was right away?
(Sometimes I do. I have bizarre stuff locked away in my mind.)

This happens to be a the track of a Sidewinder;
Also known as a horned rattlesnake or properly known as crotalus cerastes.

This tract is evidence of another venomous snake that graces the red rocks and sandy washes of our region.

Wanna know more?

Did you know that when a snake produces their young its called a litter?

How about this visual...sidewinders give birth to live young ones!!!!

Tricky juvenile sidewinders use their tails to attract lizards for their lunch.

The adults loose their taste for lizards but prefer the more delectable rodents of the desert. (ummm....yummy)

Are you wondering if there is any GOOD news about a snake??

How about knowing that the venom from these snakes isnt as "toxic" as that of other rattlers...whew....that is good news.....NOT!!
I say....give ALL rattlers a very with girth!!!
Tread lightly while gathering coral dust between your toes!!!

talk about beady little eyes!!!!!
Down right CREEPY!!!

Zion National Park Needs Your Help

"Im in the Circle of Trust"
from: LOST
season 5

Times are tough!!
Boy dont I know it.
But I thought I'd throw this out to you anyway.
Maybe I can catch ya at a good moment, or during a generous circumstance, or when your feeling philanthropic!!!

Just know that Zion National Park is always looking for love, help and support. (who isnt right?)
The love is easy.
So easy.
Visit once and you'll be in love.

Help and support sometimes doesnt come as easily.
Now that I've been 'elected' to be on the ZNHA board for the Park-my eyes have been opened.
Zion Park needs help.
All national parks need help. The government cant fund them all at a level that is necessary to keep parks operating as they should. Not all needs can be met with the budget the government sets.
Thus most all national parks have an Association; formed to promote, educate and fund raise for their park.
So we have Z.N.H.A.

ZION

NATURAL

HISTORY

ASSOCIATION

You can become a member!!
You can feel warm and fuzzy for doing so.
There are different levels of commitment.
There are varied 'perks' for doing so.
There are discounts at the store, on oline and for informative workshops.
There are pins and bags and books and the BEAUTIFUL publication of the Sojourn magazine!!

What will your money help to do you ask??
You know that lovely newspaper with a guide and map that you receive when you enter the park? We do that!!!
There's the Junior Ranger Program and the Field Institute. We do that too!!! Last year we renovated the pioneer home at the Grotto for an 'Artist in Residence' program. We help and support Pipe Springs and Cedar Breaks too!!! There's the satisfaction of helping out the Big Horn sheep herd in the Park for a small donation. And there's so much more!!!
If you're interested and want to learn more...please go here and see what else your valuable contribution can do!! Or go here and sign up!! You wont be sorry!!!
Tell 'em Cindy sent you!!!

NEW TRAILS

This is Mindy. She's been a hiking guide for Fitness Ridge for quite some time. She became pregnant and hiked as always. Then she became really pregnant and l hiked on and on! About a month before she was due it finally became just to hard to hike-especially in this wicked heat-so she took some time off. Then little Lincoln decided that he was going to make his entrance a little early... 6 weeks early...and now Mindy and her husband are enjoying every aspect of new parenthood.
We threw her a baby shower not too long ago. And Hollie, another hiking guide, who we have now learned is also a writer and a poet, wrote Mindy this darling poem.
I felt that it would be fun to share it here, since it has to do with hiking and with motherhood.



A Hiker's Guide to Motherhood
by Hollie Reina

At the trail head you'll find that you're starting off blind
and the path looks rocky and hard.
Many people will say how to start on your way
and they'll tell you how long and how far.

You might not want to go and you'll step out real slow
thinking why did I do this and how?
Just remember your feet and that baby so sweet
and the joy that you're feeling right now.

You will climb many hills and take many spills
and you'll feel like you've been left behind.
You'll get slogged down in sand and not want to stand
and ask how much is left of this grind?

But life is a thrill as you crest each new hill
and the view before you is grand!
The further you go the more that you'll grow
and you'll see it in one tiny hand.

At times it is tough and most certainly rough
but you'll find strength where you least thought you would.
Now get on your way there is no more delay
on the hike that is called motherhood.

POST SCRIPT!!! ZION NEWS ALERT!!

NPR radio joined us on our stroll through the tunnel.
Go HERE to read and listen to what they had to say about this memorable day!!
So cool!!!

There is much more to this place
than the weird atmosphere.
Some creature was watching, the
old crab could tell,
By the creepy feeling that ran
through his shell.
from: Kermit the Hermit
by: Bill Peet

Arizona Hairy Scorpion - Hadrurus arizonensis

We see these beasts around our desert every once in a while. They have even been found on the bottom of the pool at the Ridge, to be scooped out and revived some how to then scurry off back to the sand. When we first moved into our home 11 yrs ago, I found one of these critters from the 'underworld' in the guest room!! augh!!!!(The name Hadrurus has its origins in Hades, the underworld. )
Monday we discovered this one scrunched up on the asphalt near the entrance to Snow Canyon State Park. I took some pictures and then attempted to nudge him from his dangerous position on the road. He wouldnt have anything of it. He intended to stay right where he was. I thought about searching for a stick or some other such implement to move him and even went to look for one...but when I turned around to head back toward him...SPLAT!!!!...a big, black SUV sped past and wiped him out!!! ta ta Mr Hairy...now we have road kill for the ravens!!! oh well....I had good intentions. (Yes I am a little crazy...for even caring)

Thought I'd share some interesting facts about these arthropods. (are you asking yourself,"What the heck is an arthropod?" Here's what I learned-An arthropod is an invertebrate that has an exoskeleton (external skeleton), a segmented body, and jointed attachments called appendages.)

*Scorpions have a wide range of habitats- from sand dunes to rocky hillsides where they dig extensive burrows, often to 20 feet deep!

*All true scorpions glow bright green or yellow under a black light. Groovy!!!

*This is an aggressive and active scorpion, which, as with all scorpions, is nocturnal.

*Like all scorpions, the desert hairy scorpion gives birth to live young, which remain on the mother's back for a week or more before leaving.

*The hairs that cover these scorpions are used to detect ground and air vibrations.

*Commonly thought to be insects, scorpions are actually in the same family as spiders, ticks and mites; the arthropod family!!

ahhh....the things you can learn while gathering coral dust between your toes!!!

The reason death sticks so closely to life isn't
biological necessity- its envy. Life is so beautiful
that death has fallen in love with it; a jealous,
possessive love that grabs at what it can. But
life leaps over oblivion lightly, losing only a
thing or two of no importance, and gloom is
the passing shadow of a cloud.
from: Life of Pi
by: Yann Martell

About that coral dust i collect between my toes....
(it gathers there whether i wear my favorite hiking sandles or whether i hike in shoes)
i guess it could be argued that it really isnt dust.
i suppose that a vast majority of it is indeed just plain ol glorious red sand. Sand that has been eroding away from the magnificent red rocks through all generations of time.
But there is dust too!!!
Today, i have learned from the newest edition of the SOJOURN magazine, that 'dust' can come from the most unlikely places.
Did you know....
"The earth is still gathering more than a hundred tons of space dust every day-to the delight of scientists. Each speck, broken from an asteroid or shed by a comet, might hold a hundred thousand smaller specks. And among those sub-specks are the diamonds and sapphires, the inky-black carbon and rich organic molecules that date to the days of our planet's creation-and even earlier....Even the manner in which the tiniest grains cling together holds clues about how the dust grew as the Sun and planet took shape. Since every atom in our bodies came from inside of stars, explains astrophysicist Don Brownlee, by studying these interstellar dust particles, we can learn about our cosmic roots....."
Happily scientists receive a steady supply of clues. The earth grows fatter every day, snowed under by a continuous microscopic flurry of space specks. Rare as they are, on average, every square yard of the planet should nonetheless receive one speck each day.
Statistically, its a good bet that there's a fresh piece of space dust on the hood of your car daily-and a dozen fresh specks on your roof. Lie on your lawn for a day and you stand a shot at being pelted by a glassy mini-marble or a delicate crumb of comet dust.
"They're everywhere, " Brownlee says. " You eat them all the time. Any carpet would have'em. "
(Exerted from the The Secret Life of Dust by Hannah Holmes)

Space dust, coral dust, sand....its all GOOD!!!
im just so grateful that i can be out 'gathering' whenever i choose!!!

(image from deviantart.com)

Symbiotic Relations In the Desert

I remember Mimi asking me as a child
to make a lens by curling my fingers
around to my thumb. I closed one eye
and, with the other, looked through my
hand lens. I played with scale. Blades of
grass were transformed into trees, a gravel
bed became a boulder field. Small riverlets
pouring over moss became the great rivers
of our continent. My world was my own creation.
from:Refuge
by: Terry Tempst Williams

Now that Im finally back to hiking in complete comfort,with my beloved Keens snugly strapped to my feet....(oh how I missed them while they lay on the mud room floor in Salt Lake for a week!!)I am once again completely enjoying plowing through our red sandy washes.
When my piggies are happy, Im free to enjoy the scenery again. Instead of worrying so much about all the sand that can and does accumulate in regular hiking shoes, I can kick the sand free with one quick wiggle and move on to answering some of the more fascinating questions that fellow hikers ask.
One common inquiry we hear, "What's that green stuff on the rocks?" And before I even look in the direction they are pointing, I know exactly what they are referring to.


What they are seeing is our beautiful crustose or fruticose lichens which grow so well in this area. Not only do these lichen come in a wide variety of greens, but lichen can also be oranges and yellows and tans.
I've learned that a lichen is not a single plant or life form, but a union between a fungus and an algae, or an occasional bacteria. The fungus aspect of the 'plant' give it its shape and helps it reproduce. And at the risk of getting a little technical, the fungus doesnt have chlorophyll, so it cant 'eat,' so the algae feeds
it through photosynthesis. (I remember that word from high school!!) The fungus finds and stores water and food for the algae. The algae processes sunlight for the both of them. The two inhabit a tiny world made better because they have each other!! Together these two can survive almost anything. It survives and thrives in the HOT, dry, and barren places that no other life might be found. The pretty lichen we have around here grow on hot rocks of all places. And while they reside on a rock they work hard at breaking down their home, and gradually turn the into....sand!! The sand I gather between my toes!! Of course this doesnt happen overnight. It takes eons of time for even a little soil to form around a lichen. And when the timing is right and the circumstance are perfect, maybe a small flower will grow there in that shared speck of soil.

Doesnt the desert look just a little bit different to you now? I know I appreciate this beautiful little organism so much more than before!!
And arent you inspired to make your little bitty corner of the world a little more comforting and inviting for the good life!!??
thanks Sojourns for this fun information!!

ZION NATIONAL PARKS' TUNNEL

"Under a wine-dark sky I
walk through light reflected
and re-reflected from the walls
and floor of the canyon, a radiant
golden light that glows on rock
and stream, sand and leaf in
varied hues of amber, honey,
whiskey--the light that never
was is here, now, in the storm
sculptured gorge...
from:Desert Solitaire
by: Edward Abbey

Not too far from the beautiful Zion Lodge you can find a VERY famous tunnel.
Legends have been born within its confines.
Local yokels love joking about some of the "illegal" activities that have taken place in this marvelous tunnel.
During the Centennial Celebration, which took place about a month ago, these old timers and local young folks spoke openly about all the antics they 'got away with' within its darkness. (I suppose many of us never grow up!!) There aren't many people who can brag about a run through a mile and a half long tunnel which was built 80 yrs ago in the mighty sandstone cliffs. The best boasts of all where those about the crazies that ran though in their birthday suits!! (there are no lights built into the walls and ceilings of the antiquated tunnel.) Running from one carved out window to the next on a starless night would be a thrill unique to only this tunnel. Add to the thrill, the possibility of a car plowing you down in the middle of the night...and voila...legends are born!!!
But on the day of the Centennial Celebration, were events that may NEVER happen again.
First off, all traffic through the park was halted.
For hours. (20,000 cars travel through the park on any given summer day.)
Then a passel of shuttle buses were enlisted to shuttle the select few to the north entrance of the tunnel. This is where we began the leisurely stroll down through history and an engineering marvel.
And nobody was excluded either. Once you had your "golden ticket," walkers in wheelchairs and folks pushing walkers all were able to make their way through. Hiking apparel wasnt required and hiking sandals and flip-flops were allowed.
It was a wondrous way to spend an afternoon. I knew full well how lucky I was to be able to attend such an event. It was a once in a lifetime opportunity. Now its my job to to continue to try and spread the word about all the glories of Zion National Park. Its pay-it-forward for me!!

(oh yeah!! If you are an engineer freak or a history buff or just a lover of all things Zions Park, BUY this book for a mere 5 bucks!! The proceeds go directly to the Park!! Its a beautiful publication, full of the most amazing black and whites of the building of the tunnel. It'll be the best 5 bucks you've spent in a long time!!!)

HIKING FOR GOOD MENTAL HEALTH

The sun hit me and Granpa in the face.
The world had got born again. Granpa
said it had, and he taken off his hat
and we watched it for a long time. Me
and Granpa had a feeling, and I knew
right off that we would come again to
the mountain top and watch the morning come.
from: Education of Little Tree
by: Forrest Carter

Life is good!!!
And even though in the very same breath I can also attest to the fact that life is very uncertain as well, Im stick'in to my gut....that on the whole life is grand!!!
Though no one can disagree that it is the uncertainty that keeps us humble.
But again this morning, Im once again marveling at the incalculable blessing my hiking job is for me!!

The alternative to not hiking might be me sitting home anguishing about the uncertain future and the impact the economy is having on the world...but no...
instead I hike the trails each morning reveling in the red rock wonder that is found in my own back yard. The grandeur of the desert truly does bring with it a sense of peace and comfort in its magnificence-every single time I get out in it!!

The desert is so quiet. You may not have known that about our desert. Even the birds are quiet and seem to reverence the space. Often all you can hear is the breeze fluttering through the silvery sagebrush or rustling past your ears. Or, if you stop for a moment, a pesky bug may buzz your head. To hear a call of a bird is a rare treat.
The most common creature we spy on the trails would have to be the darling little cottontail bunnies. These sweet little critters seem to be having a banner year. I'm noticing a greater abundance of these furry little coney's compared to years past. (Watership Down comes to mind) I'll take this as a good omen as well.

The relative silence is a calming balm to my soul that no music on my mp3 player can replicate.
I love breathing deeply out there in the sweeping badlands and to really smell the desert. Until you experience it for yourself, it can hardly be described how many unique and aromatic smells exist in a desert. There are several varieties of sage that posses their own unique smell. The creosote bush smells different in the heat of the day compared to how it smells when its raining. And dont get me going about the rich, poignant smell of wet, red desert sand!! In my heaven the streets will be paved with red wet dirt; to heck with gold!!!

Today our horizons are sullied by gray clouds of smoke. We can taste it and smell it everywhere. It's a little ominous. Tragedy has struck a nearby community. Forestfires are raging and have destroyed 10 homes in the last 24 hours!! My prayers go out to all the families whose lives will never be the same after such a sever blow from mother nature. But the fallout sure does bring with it some spectacular sunrises and sunsets enhanced by the smoke. WOW!!


So what am I really trying to say?
Once again, Im feeling enormous gratitude for the desert, and for my many, many blessings.
I feel such gratitude that I find" protection" in the hoodoos and redrock formations. There is something very restful and serene about the timeless mesas and canyons.
I seem to gain courage from the towering red sandstone cliffs which we traverse each morning. Its so easy to find oneself meditating on things eternal while out in the brambles or on the slickrock. It seems to come naturally to glimpse things of the divine out there. The world could come crashing down around my ears at any moment I suppose. Its true. But I am convinced now, that when and if I need comfort or reassuring that I might not be able to find in any other way, I WILL find it in "my" desert.

Im alive, and living in the greatest country in the world. I have a testimony of a divine plan for us all. I know why Im here and have purpose and perspective of the things that are most important. I am healthy. I have a family who I adore. I have a man at my side who still rocks my world. Each of these things are a gift and a blessing. I dont mean to brag. Thats not my intention. I just wish to express my gratitude, and to share with you what these vistas of the desert do for the likes of me. I get so much more than is expected!!!

I dearly love this "barren" land of ours. And I see no down side to my being able to gather coral dust between my toes.
I invite one and all to join me whenever you can!! These trails are made for sharing!!

WEE RED WONDERS

(try saying that 3 times fast!)

We seem to be within a great honeycomb
of light, the burning center of an
immense flaming rose.
from: Platero and I
by: Juan Jimenez

In the deserts of Arizona I learned about a beetle who has some magic 'juice' within its being. Gods' wonders never cease to amaze!! This world in which we live is full of 'em!! Sonny-who was our guide through the desert- picked off this tiny, really tiny speck of a bug (that was too small to identify as a bug-we just took his word for it) off a particular species of cactus and smashed this flea sized dot onto the palm of his hand.
One speck, surrounded in a dot of spittle, produced this!! Turns out its a powerful dye! A dye used in almost everything we see and use that is red or pink. Its in our drinks, our candies and our clothing etc...its in dye #40 and others. Very Interesting, very interesting indeed. You and I will never look at the color red again without thinking of the Cochineal beetle.
Once again I marvel at the many wonders of a desert environment!!

TAK'IN CARE OF THE FEET THAT HIKE!!

Vanity working on a weak head,
produces every sort of mischief.
from: Emma
by: Jane Austen

I actually have one up on Martha Stewart!!
How 'bout that??!!
Recently she suggested this helpful hint for pampering your feet.
Well I'll have you know, due to my extreme foot fetish, I have been snipping the toes off old cotton socks for years now. I have found no better way than this to keep lotions and creams on my heels, especially while sleeping!
I put many a mile on my trusty feet, and Im proud to say they are soft and smooth as a baby's butt. Every morning after I hose off the desert sand from between my piggies, I am glad I have taken the extra time to pamper my feet. I expect a great deal from them.

Try it, you'll like it!!!

image from no biggie

THE HIKING CRONIE

I LOVE the author, ANNE Lamott!! I love that my good, good friend Jan turned me on to this amazing writer!! I have been perusing one of my favorite books by her (not recommended to the easily offended) Traveling Mercies. I've been percolating some ideas in my head how best to use some of her thoughts on getting older...and vola', some pictures from our sisters retreat turned up on my computer yesterday, from Sharon! It was the perfect stimulus to get me started. Let me share some direct quotes from her book.

"I am trying to accept that I am actually m-m-m-m-middle aged. And even though I am a feminist and even though I am religious, I secretly believe, in some mean little rat part of my brain, that I am my skin, my hair, and worst of all, those triangles of fat that pooch at the top of my thighs. In other words, that I am my packaging. Even though both feminism and Christianity have taught me that I am my spirit, my heart, all that I have survived over the years and all that I have given, still a funny thing happened after I started liking a guy; I looked in the mirror, and sighed, and thought to myself, I will cut my eyes out."
Anne has her epiphany while watching a movie about gypsies. She compares the old gypsies to the younger gypsies and lovingly calls the old, wise gypsies-cronies. I too will admit that I have my ups and downs with what I will now call cronehood. There's good and there's bad. I have highs and I have lows.

But on the whole, I must confess that I have many more highs than lows. I have reached a point in life where I am comfortable in my wrinkly skin--for the most part. Again ANNE says it so much better than I could--
"Maybe it (being a crone) leaves me needing to consider how wealthy I am in the knowledge that the girl of my past is still in me while a marvelous crone is in the future--and that I hold both of these females inside."
"I want what the crones have: time for all those long deep breaths, time to watch more closely, time to learn to enjoy what I've always been afraid of--the sag and the invisibility, (oh how true!) the ease of understanding that life is not about doing. The crones understand this, and it gives them all kinds of time--time to get much less done, time for all these holy moments."

"So I've been thinking, realistically, I'm probably not going to lose five pounds before.... or have the little canopy above my eyes snipped off. And how what I am going to do instead is to begin practicing cronehood as soon as possible: to watch, smile, dance."

Ahhhh...Thank you Anne Lamott!!!

WONDERING WHY ONE WITHERS??

I had no reason to fear bats, and as
I grew and discovered how many people
are deathly afraid of them, it made me
wonder about fear. Whether it all starts
with the people who raise us.
from: Missing May
by:Cynthia Rylant

I often come home after a hike-(with LOTS of coral dust between my toes) and feel grateful that I am not strapped by horrible, debilitating fears and phobias.

Over the years I have met quite a few 'hikers' that have a great fear of snakes. I suppose this is quite common and possibly justified. I dont understand it, but it doesnt mean that I dont try and be compassionate about it.

A big ol rattler sharing the path with you is not an experience one goes looking for!!! But I have been hiking for years now, and I have only come across 5-6 snakes in that time. But, whats really disturbing to me is to see these fears completely curtail, or paralyze some hikers to ever venturing out of doors!! (First off, didnt they KNOW they were coming to a desert environment BEFORE they signed on??!!) Their experience in our beautiful desert is tainted by their fear.

We had a hiker not too long ago that was petrified of lizards. Not just in the chance of seeing them, but just knowing they shared the sand with us was more than she could handle. After the first morning, as she cried and gasped for breath and begged us to take her back home; we never saw her again...outside the enclosed facility. Poor,poor, crazy girl. YES indeed- I am passing judgment. COME ON... A little blue tailed lizard will do nobody any harm, unless your a bug!!
It is indeed hard for me to remain compassionate to those fears that make no sense.

Guess what porphyrophobia is the fear of!!?? You'll NEVER guess...not in a million years (Unless of course you have this mental disorder)... its the fear of the color purple!! Come on now...whats that really about?
Some other fears:

There is the fear of books, and color and ferns and even knees!!
I am so grateful that I am not incapacitated by any such seemingly irrational fear.
I found a list of phobias the other day, HERE.
It has made me all the more grateful for my good mental health, but it made me also question the workings of our brains. Could it really be possible to be crippled by the fear of the figure 8!!!????
Snap Out of It, for pete sakes!!!!!!!!!

My Feet Hurt!!!

And when my feet ache, I feel tired!!!
Its truly amazing how fast I can wear out a pair of hiking shoes when I hike in them almost every day.
Lets see....
I hike between 4-6 miles every weekday...
The average being 5 miles times 5 days...
25 miles a week, give a take a few....
Yep...my feet are amazing!!
Plus....
Many of our hikes are up and over and through some pretty wicked lava flows. Basalt rock is murder on the soles of shoes!!
So I'm very excited to report that my brand new, spiffy KEENS are on the way to my waiting feet!! (thanks Joe my love!) I love having Christmas in Sept.!!
I wore my last KEENS for over 3 years!!
I have no way of computing how many miles I put on them. I wore them even when I wasnt hiking. My favorite place to wear them was trekking down to Havasupi each summer. Many, many, many miles were tread by them (and me!).
I even took them a few times to the shoemaker for a little touch-up work, to keep them going for as long as possible.
I LOVE, love, LoVe the KEEN hiking sandal!!


They are cute, cute, cute and practical too!!
Perfection!!

BACKCOUNTRY HIKING IN ZION NATIONAL PARK

To enter wilderness is to court risk, and
risk favors the senses, enabling one to live
well. The landscapes we know and return to
become places of solace. We are drawn to
them because of the stories they tell,
because of the memories they hold, or simply
because of the sheer beauty that calls us
back again and again.
from: Refuge
by: Terry Tempst Williams

The Subway hike’s scenery combines the mountains of
California’s Yosemite National Park with the series of smooth mini
waterfalls seen in Guatemala’s Semuc Champey and adds the Utah
twist of slot canyons, wavy layered sandstone landscape, and the sandy
desert environment. It requires a permit, basic repelling equipment,
and wetsuits are recommended. It can be accomplished by mildly
experienced climbers or even beginners with experienced climbers. It is
an all day hike requiring about seven hours. Just remember, you and
everything you take will get soaked!
The hike begins with a gradual descent through scenery of
large grey cliffs and sandstone hills. Although this is a less popular
portion of the hike, the views of these diverse mountains create
amazing contrasts that are certainly picture worthy. As the hike
progresses, you suddenly find yourself in a slowly narrowing slot
canyon. There is no wonder where the name “The Subway” comes
from; throughout the canyon, the cliffs on the canyon’s sides drop
vertically until rounding outward giving the feeling of hiking through an underground cave or a natural
subway track. The cool water that flows down the center constitutes the train and you as the passenge walking/swimming down. No words can describe how astonishing these rock formations really are. The water is slow and safe, but cold enough to make you shiver if you stay in too long. All the while, one can look up to see green trees and mountains towering above. At times, ropes are required and harnesses are strongly recommended to work down some of the steeper areas which
include small cliffs and even waterfalls. A famous obstacle is “The Bowling Ball” which is a spherical rock stuck between the narrowing of two slot cliffs which forces
hikers to either hold their breath and swim under it, or use their strength to
climb over it. Either way, given the environment and circumstances, it feels
like living an Indiana Jones movie (only the large round rock doesn’t chase
you down the canyon).
Just when you think this hike can’t get more diverse and interesting,
it does! Now comes the Semuc Champey‐like portion of the trail. It is
composed of a series of small waterfalls, streams, and pools that trickle into
eachother. And it doesn’t stop there; you can find mossy patches on
the waterfalls and slide down them! Don’t be a wuss, you gotta do it!
It’ll be the slimiest, slickest natural
waterslide you ever ride.

At this point, the slot canyon begins to widen and you find yourself following a river between two very large cliffs. For the next couple hours, trails lead through
boulders, trees, and bushes alongside the river. This may get a little
repetitive but fear not, for yet another unique feature is thrown in just
before the end of the hike: dinosaur tracks. Yep, that’s right. A couple
very large rock slabs completely covered in dinosaur tracks that are
just as well preserved as ones you pay to see in St. George. They are on
the right side of the river and can easily be missed without marking
them on a GPS system. To end the hike, several rock pile markers
indicate where to follow a trail up and out of the canyon. This is
probably the most difficult part of the hike, but just remember that
you’re done once you reach the top. This is a beautiful hike that will require some planning and experience to accomplish, but it is well worth all the time and
effort. People do large hikes just to observe one of the many
features this hike has to offer. Enjoy!
BY-Creighton Petty

DINOSAUR SHRIMP IN THE DESERT

And at some immeasurably remote time beyond
human caring the whole uneasy region might
sink again beneath the sea and begin the cycle all
over again by the slow deposition of new marls,
shales, limestones, sandstones, deltaic conglomerates,
perhaps with a fossil poet pressed and silicified between
the leaves of rocks.
from: Heart of the Desert Wild
quote by: Wallace Stegner

I talk all the time about the pre-historic nature of our desert region when I hike with friends. I talk in numbers that can hardly be fathomed; like 350 million years ago our beautiful red rock was formed by oceanic pressure. I talk of volcanic action that took place 10 thousand years ago!! We have the most amazing dinosaur tracts that grace the ground, practically in my own back yard!! Zion Canyon was carved by water thousands and thousands of years ago...
And then....

Every once in a while we stumble across these bizarre creatures swimming in a stagnant pool of water that was captured in the rock from a recent rain storm. These creatures look like a Hollywood special effects job!!! Steven Spielberg would be proud!!!

These little guys are called Tadpole shrimps, or can also be known as Triops, dinosaur shrimps or shield shrimps. They're not really dinosaurs, but they have been on earth for about 300 million years.Wrap your brain around this if you can: When these crustaceans first appeared on earth, there were no birds, no dinosaurs, and definitely no humans or other mammals. They are the oldest surviving group of animals.

I know I feel lucky when I spot one of these critters swimming in a shaded pool of rain water...and a little creeped out as well!!!