Days 1-29 really were perfection, the blog didn’t lie. There were some hard parts, some challenging physical tasks, some emotional struggles, but over all each day was great. Today wasn’t. It was the bad day of the trip.
It started out early, a 5:45 wake up time, and was quickly followed by a two hour curvy, hilly drive. We didn’t get to the trail head at Natural Bridges NM until about 9 and the temperature was already quite high. Natural Bridges is a pretty small park with three bridges that were formed when the rushing water of a river hit a solid wall of rock and slowly chipped away at the rock to created a short cut rather than twist and turn around the walls. Quite phenomenal and even more beautiful. We enjoyed the first one very much, marveling at the beuty from directly underneath.
It was about a four mile hike to the next one and the heat of the sun was quite intense. Although we were hiking in a canyon there was absolutely no relief from the walls, as the dry river bed was way too wide. The girls were having a hard time with the heat and adjusting from having several days “off” from hiking. For some reason, we felt a need to rush, which was a big mistake.
The girls needed frequent breaks and at one of them Zak said that we weren’t going to be to do our upcoming longer hikes, including one we were all really looking forward to in Canyonlands in a couple of days. He didn’t think it would be safe with the number of rests needed and the girls not totally positive attitudes. We all lost it. We were standing in the shade of a juniper tree and the bottom of the canyon, 5 miles into an 8 mile hike, trying to convince Zak that the girls were strong and able. The girls and I were in tears as we continued on. Zoe soon needed another break and ended up getting sick. I think it was a combination of the twisty, early car ride, the heat, and not quite enough water. The poor kiddo. She handled it so well and kept on trucking along. I really give her so much credit. We slowly continued, reaching the third bridge exhausted. At that point, we had a few hundred foot incline to make it to the top of the canyon and a two mile hike along the rim back to the car. Zoe didn’t think she would be able to complete it, so Zak want ahead and the girls and I took our time climbing to the top. Meanwhile, thunder was echoing off the canyon walls and we were concerned about getting stuck in a storm. We never felt any rain drop down and the dark clouds were not at all blocking the sun.
About an hour and fifteen minutes after separating, Zak picked us up. We got passport stamps and left Natural Bridges. As stunning as it is, I have no desire to go back.
Ellie and I napped during to two hour drive to Moab where we checked into the Inca Inn. We found this place several years ago and it is drastically aged since our first visit. But we’re here three nights. Dinner consisted of not great service or food and the most uncomfortable seating I’ve ever experienced in a restaurant.
So that was the day. It pretty much sucked. One day out of the last thirty isn’t bad.
And I’m so confident the girls can handle all the upcoming hikes we have planned. There is not an ounce of doubt in my mind.
