Today was such a day . . . A fitful night of sleep interrupted, again and again, by pelting rain and strong winds that blew against my tent walls causing sprays of moisture upon me. I woke to grey skies and everything in my tent wet — my sleeping bag, the clothes I had hoped would have dried out, and even the floor. Peeking my head outside, our tent community resembled wash day with everyone hanging their equally (if not more so) wet things out to dry. |
Have you ever considered what gives you the feeling of a perfect day? For me it must include that sense of timelessness when multiple experiences seamlessly connect. The day must be spent — at least part of it — outdoors and involve some new adventure or challenge. And, my sense of reality must be expanded.
After a stand-up yummy breakfast of pancakes, bacon and yogurt, it was decided we would "break camp" after everything was dry. So while Mother Nature did her best, we headed off on a morning adventure. Our destination was Neat Coulee, the downstream drainage from our Eagle Creek camp site. Hiking up this small canyon leads to an ever-tightening slot canyon that illustrates the power of wind and water erosion and tested our ability to climb, scramble and further bond as a group as we helped each other up what to me first seemed impossible challenges! For those of us who persevered, we were rewarded by outstanding views and clearing skies.
Going down was no less tricky, though quicker. Often using my butt to slide down the rock faces from one toe/heel hold to the next!
On the trail back to our campsite, I stopped to talk with a group of guys we first saw yesterday who are part of The American Mountain Men, a national organization dedicated to the preservation of the traditions and ways of our nation's greatest and most daring explorers and pioneers. Though they did have some "modern gear," they told me that their shared experiences on the trail, river and mountains is to "keep alive the skills of mountain men as historically accurately as possible." I like their outfits and sense of camaraderie!
On the trail back to our campsite, I stopped to talk with a group of guys we first saw yesterday who are part of The American Mountain Men, a national organization dedicated to the preservation of the traditions and ways of our nation's greatest and most daring explorers and pioneers. Though they did have some "modern gear," they told me that their shared experiences on the trail, river and mountains is to "keep alive the skills of mountain men as historically accurately as possible." I like their outfits and sense of camaraderie!