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.