Coming Out of the Woods

I would be lying if I didn’t admit that I had some pretty bad anxiety about the hike back out. The hike in had been such a challenge, and even two days later my body still felt tired. I knew I would make it, but I basically developed a mantra telling myself it was essentially all down hill, and wouldn’t be near as hard.

For the most part that was true. It only took us four hours to get out, instead of the six it took to get in. Although this time we experienced a new difficulty, a steep downhill covered in a terrain of uneven rocks. By the end every stabilization muscle in our legs was screaming.

I could barely walk for two days afterwards.

When we got back into Buffalo, showered, rested, and then ventured out for dinner, I told Husband in all seriousness I needed a wheel chair for him to push me around in. 

We checked out the local Clear Creek Brewing Co, then got our Mexican fix at the Cantina restaurant, before ending the night at the saloon at the Occidental hotel.

The next morning I took Jeannie out and walked across the parking lot to grab some ice from the main building. I noticed she wasn’t flitting along at my heels, and when I turned to find her she was walking ever so gingerly, squinting in pain. I have to hand it to that little 12 pound fur ball. She trudged through the entire hike in and out without stopping or needing to be carried. For a ten year old yorkie, I find that very impressive. I gladly picked her up and carried her the rest of the weekend. My sweet old girl.

It’s been a few weeks since we took this trip, and like I knew I would, I look back on it fondly. I know my whining hurt Husband’s feelings because he felt like I hadn’t enjoyed myself, but I actually really did. It was incredibly beautiful, it was a new experience for me, and it challenged me more than anything else I’ve ever done. And he was there rooting for me and supporting me the whole time. It was a very special trip indeed. 

Although next time I may insist on a horse 🙂