Accumulated miles: 295
The last 7 days I have been hiking in the Sonoran Desert and into Tonto National Forest. Holy cow is it pretty out here!!
We've had some pretty cool days walking through desert fields full of cactus (and cow poop!) and along steep canyon walls. We slept one night in a "forest" of saguaro cactus (those huge ones), and on top of amazing mountains. The picture is from our campsite on Easter Night. Truly beautiful.
But this week hasn't been all beauty and bliss. There are dozens of miles between water sources (and not all are fit to use when you finally find them) so my pack was heavy with 7 days of food and 3 1/2 liters of water. The days have been extremely hot, with temps in the mid to upper 90s... And the walking isn't always easy and fun (7 days without a shower ain't pretty either!!).
This week (the weekend especially) the heat really got to me and we even had to sit for a few HOURS on Sunday in hopes of cooling down. I know this frustrates Patrick as much (and probably a lot more) than it does me. It's hard. I pride myself on being a "roll with it" girl, with being tougher than a lot of girls, on being able to handle anything. Yet on Saturday and Sunday I had my pride handed to me in a big way. I am frustrated with myself and feeling weak.
I know I am stronger than that... And I KNOW I can handle it... I just need to get used to walking in the heat. It will come... And hopefully both of us have enough patience to wait... Because I know this is where I want to be... Even if it didn't seem that way while I was pitifully sitting under the tent mid afternoon!
So, that's my week... INSANELY beautiful and frustrating... And humbling and hard. Hey, I guess this hiking thing is supposed to be a challenge... Here's hoping I'm up to it... Cause this girl BELONGS in the wilderness
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