road trip update
We're in Moab right now, just outside of Arches National Park. As I write this I'm sitting in the very same cafe where, about a year ago, I wrote a long-ass post detailing how messed up my feet were. Today, there's only a little blister on the sole of my foot, and it's totally manageable.
So far, we're hiked through snow in Yosemite, then through a river in the Zion Narrows, up a freaking sandstone canyon wall in the same park, and then all around the bizarre sandstone formations today in Arches. We had to wake up at 5:00 am in order to get out on the trail by 7 or so, since we wanted to take a 7 mile hike before the day got witheringly hot (as it is outside right now). The early wake-up call was worth it, though, because the hike was relatively cool. I saw some interesting stuff, too. Unfortunately, I did end up sweating quite a bit toward the end, and when the sweat evaporated, a fine white grit covered my face. It turned out to be precipitated salt, from my sweat.
Today, I also took the first shower I've had since Sunday. I've never felt so clean in all my life.
Tonight we'll probably take a little 3-4 mile walk before firing up the coleman stove for a sausage and chili dinner. Then it's off to the Tetons for two days, followed by Glarier National Park for about 4 days. Then Vancouver!
So far, we're hiked through snow in Yosemite, then through a river in the Zion Narrows, up a freaking sandstone canyon wall in the same park, and then all around the bizarre sandstone formations today in Arches. We had to wake up at 5:00 am in order to get out on the trail by 7 or so, since we wanted to take a 7 mile hike before the day got witheringly hot (as it is outside right now). The early wake-up call was worth it, though, because the hike was relatively cool. I saw some interesting stuff, too. Unfortunately, I did end up sweating quite a bit toward the end, and when the sweat evaporated, a fine white grit covered my face. It turned out to be precipitated salt, from my sweat.
Today, I also took the first shower I've had since Sunday. I've never felt so clean in all my life.
Tonight we'll probably take a little 3-4 mile walk before firing up the coleman stove for a sausage and chili dinner. Then it's off to the Tetons for two days, followed by Glarier National Park for about 4 days. Then Vancouver!