This is a trail, at least the first two-thirds of it that is a nice challenge and at all times, filled with nature's offerings—beautiful, of course. It keeps one on the toes but at the same time, is awe inspiring and a reminder of how fortunate one can be should one decide to immerse oneself in the wilderness. In addition, during this awkward period as we take cover from the virus, the trail was almost without fellow hikers.
As we rested at the turnaround point, a lone hiker came tearing down the trail, arms moving his poles feverishly. Evan Walsh hails from Buffalo, New York. He's a young man of 27 who is halfway across Arizona on the trail of the same name. What a pleasure to meet this fellow of free spirit, enormous energy and a splendid outlook. It seems he learned what we have, only 25 years earlier than we did. Fortunate man. I wished to hug him or at least shake his hand but that's off the cards these days.
Finally, the only other persons we came across was when we were closer to the trailhead of this 9 mile hike. A couple, both on second marriages, with three children each added to the 'pot', waited for us to pass so as to avoid physical contact. Initially, it was difficult to fathom when they mentioned they'd only married a mere 3 years before. They looked sort of youngish but not the '3-year married young'. When they mentioned it was a second marriage without kids from the latest partnership, it all fell into place. Even I understood. She being from Brooklyn, he from Phoenix, made for an unusual combination. Perhaps, a 'cowboy and a kugel' might explain it aptly. It did not take long to realize how much she loved him: Her children are married; his are teenagers living at home.
We have been spoiled with the array of cacti on show and have also avoided their dangerous needles...thus far.
Color on the slopes, always a treat for the eyes and other senses. Roosevelt Lake behind.
Reaching this point after a stiff climb, gave us a taste of Heaven; Apache lake at rear.
We walked the trail in awe and out of breath, looking down on the lake.
Early days of the hike.
Ocotillo in bloom—attractive and dangerous.
Back to lake level. Truth be told, one can walk around this world in awe or not.
Looking away from Roosevelt toward the Salt River and Apache lake.
Everything looks better from height and distance. 'How do we look from where you stand?'
Sun focuses.
Mountains, water, flowers, fresh air, temperate weather and deserted, virus-free trails. Tough work but worth every bit of strain.
And there goes Jenni, with swaying grass.
Cheers,
Jenni and Jeffrey
No comments:
Post a Comment