The NOW

Saturday, June 5


“Nero Day” reflections from the town of Escalante Utah.


Yesterday my legs propelled me forward for 19.8 miles most of which was in the heat of the day. I strolled through the desert with general is ease, trusting my foot placement so I could allow my eyes the freedom to gaze up and wander like a young child. Speaking of children and slowing down, how do you slow down a young boy? The obvious answer is a creek and rocks will work. Yes, I acted out my childhood this past section playing in Henrieville Creek in a futile attempt to stop the flow using creek bed rocks. I am an open book, and I admit I created three hours of memories playing in the creek at 45 years young. My whole body was immersed in the life giving desert elixir, clear flowing sun warmed water. My face smiled as I lay in the water watching the shadows changing along the cliffs above.


The trail is getting hot, so frequently I take a siesta during the hottest portion of the day. During my siesta I’m thinking, does the Four Corners Loop have the scenery necessary to make it worthy of a National Scenic Trails designation. I see some amazing things, but are these amazing things separated by long stretches of sandy arroyos, or long stretches of Pinyon Pine or Junipers. There are so many junipers the Gin industry should never have a flavoring shortage. May be it is not for me to decide, or is a decision on this even necessary because each person who may follow me will experience trail life through their eyes.


For me “trail life” is an experience in “living in the now”. Over the past three days the moment of “now” can be summed up as spontaneous generosity coupled with quality conservation and awe.


The NOW this past few days in the order of occurrence is as follows:


Post Office conservations
A cold bottle of water.
A large bag of home made jerky, cheese, a banana and oranges.
Birthday suit swimming in my first lake (irrigation pond).
Listening to my mom’s brass bell jingle with each step.
Swatting slow moving biting flies, satisfaction guaranteed.
Creek dam building like a 14 year would enjoy.
Sipping white wine on ice with western Massachusetts trail angles.
Talking “through hiking” with Moonwalker who reminded me of the talkative one from the movie Mall Rats.
Fantastic vistas.
Talking with two groups from Raleigh North Carolina at dinner.
The locals recommendation to hike Death Hollow.
Enjoying a Pilsner in the heat.
You reading this, I thank you.


Speaking of now after two Pilsners my bladder is full so now I must go. Thanks for the time you spent reading this.


Sending smiles,
The Animal, FCL 21