Yesterday, I wore out the Jeep, so today, Yuma and I decided we would do the walking. My goal was to climb past the palm trees and go all the way up Palm Canyon and see what was up there.
We left early, at 10 o'clock and by 10:30 we had arrived at the base of the canyon. Always a beautiful drive.
Didn't take us long to make it to the sign indicating we had arrived at the palm trees. I felt better than the other day after the hike.
Then we started up the canyon and there basically is no trail. You try your best to follow where others have gone, but on rock sometimes that was hard to do. Several times we had to backtrack because we couldn't proceed any further. Then we would find the right way and kept going up.
Yuma was great at leading the way, but he didn't always take the easiest route. Sometimes I just couldn't go where he went.
I kept hoping it would become easier, but it didn't. The higher we got the larger the boulders we had to go over, under and around.
See the cliff in the sun on the right? That is where I want to get to.
Looking back out over the Sonoran Desert.
We're much higher now looking back out over the desert. There is one last palm tree higher up in the canyon that not many get to see because of the difficulty of getting to this point.
Yuma is starting to look back down and balk a little. He's giving me that fear look. I'm also plain bushed. We're close.
I must have been within 800 feet of where the sun was coming through the canyon above but that might as well have been a mile. After two hours of uphill rock and boulder climbing I could go no further. Even Yuma was reluctant to climb the last boulders.
I am tired and dejected. I just kept hoping the climb would get easier towards the top, but instead, it became harder. If I was 50 years younger, I would have made it! But not me and not today!
I began to worry that Yuma would not be able to go back down once he saw the height of what was below and I knew I was too tired to carry him. With our goal in sight, I made the decision I would turn back without reaching it. I knew it was the right decision because my hips and knees could hardly support my weight any longer.
We slowly made our way back down to the Jeep without mishap and were back at the RV at 2:30 P.M. Time for some serious rest and recuperation.
See you later.
Doug, these are some of the best photos you have ever taken ! The colors, the scenery, and wow - can that Yuma ever strike a majestic pose. That middle photo needs to be framed. Glad you didn't push it any further - always listen to your gut and your dog. Please don't feel dejected - be proud of what you accomplished. And thank you for sharing this beautiful day with your family and readers. 🌵🐕🌻
ReplyDeleteThank you Moonfly. Not often I fall asleep in the afternoon, but today was one of them.
DeleteTough day so I'm sure I'll sleep tonight. Got to get up early to get a photo of the setting moon.
The sunrise was really gorgeous this morning. What a beautiful climb! I know you wanted to make it to the very top, but you came darn close. I'm glad you didn't end up with you or Yuma breaking a leg! The pictures were beautiful! Hope you both get a well deserved rest, after such a strenuous day. Have a good night! ❤
ReplyDeleteThank you, Dolly. I caught the first rays as they came over the mountain.😎
DeleteI'm glad I put my phone in my front pocket. I fell on my butt more than once. Only sore and thank goodness no broken bones. Hope I'm getting in better shape.
Yuma was a lot of help showing me the way most of the time.
I'm sure I will sleep good tonight.😘
Wow! I thought you were going to take it easy! Yuma is young and can climb easier than us older folk.
ReplyDeleteGreat pictures! We were not far from you with Tom and Deb, in their jeep.
Thanks Patsy. I wish I could just sit back and relax, but for some reason I feel compelled to explore.
DeleteThere's a great place for Bill to take his drone. Google Kofa spiral labyrinth. It's on Palm Canyon Road.
After that last hike you said you were going to take it easy. Wait a couple days and try again but bring more water and some snacks for the both of you. Daytime temps are going up so start earlier and take it easy.
ReplyDeleteBe Safe and Enjoy!
It's about time.
I thought I was too. Just didn't realize how hard this one was to be. I'm sure tomorrow is a rest day.
ReplyDeleteLooks like we're in for a warm spell, which does slow us down a bit. Got rest up for the total lunar eclipse coming on Wednesday.
Pretty cool! You'll definitely need some time to recover after that adventure! Looked like it was fun though! Take care Dad. Love you.
ReplyDeleteYou're right Steve. Today will be a n easy one. Sore all over this morning.
DeleteBut I'm sure something will come along.
Have a great day and try to keep warm. Love you.
As others have said I think you made a good call not going further. As a famous actor once said....."A man's got to know his limitations."
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful area. You took great pictures!
Thanks Dave. It is rugged but there is beauty in it. I just hate knowing that age is the limiting factor. Guess i just hate growing old.
DeleteWow, excellent pictures. What an exciting hike. Yuma is one photogenic fella. As are you of course. However he seems to pose without even trying. The top is not always the goal, in my humble opinion. The goal is safety and enjoyment. You made it up and back down in one piece, nothing broken, not lost, not dehydrated, nor bleeding. You, Yuma and the camera all made it safely. I think that is very much a successful hike. I would wager you've hiked much further than many folks taking that path.
ReplyDeleteNow you have a well earned rest!
Thank you. You're right. I think my goal was wrong. I should be looking for the enjoyment of the climb and views and not to make it to the top.
DeleteToday, maybe the top of Dome Rock is more realistic.😁
Luna is on the operating table now. The operation will last 18 hours. She is at Boston children's Hospital
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear it's underway. Pray all goes well for her. Keep me posted.
DeleteBeautiful pictures of your adventure Doug! Congrats on a hike we’ll done! Don’t beat yourself up for not making the goal, thank you for sharing with us the magic you did experience! I love you!❤️
ReplyDeleteThank you Sarah. Tough hike, but I had to know. Love you.
DeleteBeautiful hike, but not what I call taking it easy. From the looks of the climb I thank you for doing it, as I never will..hahah..Take care and relax a bit!
ReplyDeleteThanks. I can guarantee I will never do it again! When I read online about the hike, evidently from a much younger man, it didn't sound so bad.🙂
DeleteI'm sure you got some good Moon shots early this morning (practice for Wednesday morning's big event.) You should have perfect full viewing of the Super Blue Blood Moon. Time and date website says full moon will start turning red by 5:00 am Wednesday morning - be totally red by 6:00 am - and be setting below horizon by 7:00 am. You are so lucky to see this once in a lifetime event ! We won't see much of it in Ohio because of sunrise (and likely cloud cover anyway) Ha! So glad for you and Al and all photographers/moon watchers ! 2018 is sure a Lucky year !
ReplyDeleteOf course - times above are Mountain Time 🌵🌷🐢🐕😎
DeleteIt slowly dawned on me this event was about to happen. Glad Dolly told me about it the other day or I would have missed it.
DeleteBeen practicing hard. Just hope I can make it happen.
Great sunrise picture and the ones of your hike are wonderful, even if you did not make it to the top you still accomplished quite a climb. Yuma looks like he was having fun until you could see him looking down; glad to read you did not have to carry him back down.
ReplyDeleteThanks. Don't think I could carry him. We would have to just sit. Not a hike I care to ever do again, but I'm glad I did it.
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