We hit this meadow on day one. I think my mouth fell open in awe of the beauty that is just waiting for you to finally arrive.
My first thought was this: They call it Paradise Valley for a reason.
Reintegrating…cautiously
Coming out of the woods, and reintegrating back into civilization, has been a bit of a challenge. I feel like a deer in the woods, timid as I assess the safety of each interaction. A few cars whoosh past us, cut us off, then slow way down as we drive home. It feels so surreal, like it isn’t really happening.
I’m tired and my head is fogged. Illness is trying to take hold of me, and I’m trying to hold it back. Similarly, I feel the tug of email, text messages, and the social networks. I will refrain from making an appearance for a bit. I’m not ready for that. The break from it all has been nice.
Even when YaYa calls to ask if he can go with a friend to a baseball game in the coming week, I refrain from making any decisions. This can wait until my return, just as everything else.
Day is done
Day is done, gone the sun
From the lakes, from the hills, from the sky
All is well, safely rest
God is nigh.
Fading light dims the sight
And a star gems the sky, gleaming bright
From afar, drawing near
Falls the night.
Thanks and praise for our days
Neath the sun, neath the stars, neath the sky
As we go, this we know
God is nigh.
Back to Roads End: Day 5
We were 5 or 6 miles down the trail when we came upon a sign noting a mere 13 miles to Roads End. The descent, despite my uneasiness with footing on the downhill, was going remarkably well and even I was finding a grove. We’d not planned to end the trip for another day yet, each of us felt a sore throat coming on and did not want illness to prevent us from returning to work as planned. So we weighed the pros and cons of ending a day early over the next few miles.
Wildlife Encounters
While the rattlesnakes were definitely harder to spot, their existence was never to be forgotten. They were there, hiding in the nearby shrubbery, or in the rock beside the trail’s edge. I spotted three along our 46 mile trek.
As for bears, they were a little more keen in their movement – at least around me. A hiker not far behind us got a nice shot of one just a few minutes behind us.
Honestly, I was a little bummed. Safe bear spotting was on my list for this trip.
The lizards, however, they were plentiful, clearly visible, AND happy to be photographed.