Water Rides

I woke up very dehydrated. I drank all the water. I packed for some fishing and trapping just in case. I brought the backpack with tons of food. I was ready to eat as soon as I had water. It was water day.

I climbed straight down, making a path by cutting and trampling dead bushes. There was a good way down that was very direct. I artfully grabbed bushes and swung my way down. I climbed down into a 15 foot tall narrow canyon. It's so much easier than going through bushes. I mark my trail and constantly look back to see what the trail will look like on the way back up.

At the road I quickly learn that no one will stop for a thumb, which I had figured. I had decided to jump up and down waving, either smiling or looking distressed. No one will ever stop for a hiker with a big backpack (especially one that is purple/pink). I try stashing the pack and my jacket; make myself presentable; do my hair; wash my face. Annnnnnd still no one stops. But, two people did slow down a lot and deeply consider it. Whenever I smiled and looked sweet while jumping and trying to wave down cars, everyone would smile and wave while driving right past. I had to look distressed. I decided that when I need a ride back to Sedona Saturday, I would be able to do it. But, for now I'll just walk the mile and a half.

I walked along the river. I jogged. I was so thirsty. Now I looked really distressed and thought about waving people down again, but instead I just kept running. I nearly crawled my way to the fountains. Again, it was the sweetest moment when that water first hit my throat. Time slowed down and all sound stopped. I felt every droplet, and enjoyed every taste of food. I lay in some soft grass and just looked up at the mountains. After some Tai Chi I did a long hard styled workout of Kung Fu; speed, tension, flexibility.

I decided to hitch a ride. I had a huge advantage. People were already stopped to get spring water. Once I break the ice they won't be able to resist my charm! Prepare. . .to be wooed. . .by the master.

that last one is a funny quote from a movie. It is especially funny because it is coming from a big black man talking to a skinny, straight white guy in a jail cell.

I see some old people get water; not them. Other people pass and I almost go. Then a couple drove up. The man was good looking middle-aged, with some gray hair. She was younger and pretty; maybe 30. I take my jug and walk up and say hi with a sweet smile.

"How are you guys?"

"Good." they respond kindly with a smile.

They are trying to fill up some jugs, but they both have crocks with socks. The water is splashing into a pool and they are trying not to get their feet soaked.

I say, "Hey, let me help. I've got waterproof shoes, or at least water resistant since they got a hole and I made them into sandles." I showed them the holes I artfully cut into them and they laughed.

Me and the man fill up their two big jugs. "thanks."

As they loaded the jugs in their SUV I asked them if I could get a ride to my camp a couple miles away. They said sure, and introduced themselves as Kate and Gary. I told them my name and a little of my story on the way. They thought it was very cool that I was camping on the mountain and Gary nastalgically recalled the old hippie days when he did stuff like that.

I said goodbye and got my pack and Justin's spear for some fishing. I centered myself as I jumped from rock to rock across the river. There was a little path down to the water on the other side, so I set up a trap there. I tried the most complicated trap design I know. It involves bending a small tree sapling over with the string tied to the top. Then you secure another end into the ground to hold the sapling bent over. After that secure a separate string to the bottom and make a noose. It was harder than it sounds. I used some rocks to hold it down. Stepping back and Looking at the trap, I see that the animal was likely to miss the trap. It had too many spots to go to. I know. I could change the land to fit the trap. I could make the animal come to me. I started moving rocks and placing brambles in spots, and at the end, my path was definitely the best way to get down to the water.

I went back and meditated on a rock with Justin's sharpened double pointed spear. I was looking for fish, but none came by the rocks. I decided that even though Salmon swim through the rapids, it isn't that time of year and the fish must be at a calmer pool of the river. There isn't much time as the Sun would set below the western mountain soon. I taped Soaring Crane set four, The Crane Delicately Taps the Water's Edge, while balancing on a little rock.

Time to head back. I leave Justin's present hidden down by the road. With Perp Jr. on my back I walk pst Telephone Trail and up the cleared forest. It is much tougher on the way up. I climb up following my markers and memories. I get to the last valley on the left. This must be the trail. It looked familiar and it looked like someone had been through it. I wasn't sure and this time I finally admitted it. Maybe I passed it. It couldn't be further. . .

I head up and soon figure out that it isn't the trail. Panic sets in. I'm chasing the Sun. I have no sleeping bag this time. The area I'm in has no spots to sleep and is unbelievably thick with those Manzanita bushes. I could freeze if it gets really cold.

I take some deep breaths and relax. This is no more dangerous than driving a car. I need confidence. I will find the camp. Just keep going. I put some fire into my body and my eyes especially. I climbed ledges ruthlessly yanking and tearing bushes. I came to a tall ledge that was climbable, but really tough for one part. I breath deep and squeeze my whole body. I'm tense and balanced on one hand as my internal core muscles lift my body up and over. I scramble up. The camp must be visible from the top of this spot.

It wasn't. Shit. Please don't be like the second night all over again. I had climbed far into the Sun now and I saw that I had at least an hour of light. I calmed again. I would just climb to the top. I could see a rock formation and it is probably one of the ones on the path.

It was. I got there; set down my stuff and stripped down; meditation; I love my training. I can do anything.

I get to the camp in time to carve presents and gather firewood. This time I get stuff that won't burn smoky. I check my animal trap; still nothing. I call V and tell her that I've had a lot of fun, but I've had enough. There aren't any small animals to hunt. I'm leaving a day early. Tomorrow is the last day. I will fish all day, and the next day I will hitch hike back. Six days in the wild is enough. I sleep.