August 28, 2005

Hiking the side canyons


Several times each day, we would stop to hike up a side canyon. What is amazing is that each side canyon was different. Some were huge, big enough to hold whole fields of prickly pear cacti. Others were so narrow that we had to scramble up the rocks in single file. All were intimidating in terms of depth, making us humans feel very small and humble.

Often we were following streams of clear, rushing water. And we would be rewarded by waterfalls that we could climb up or big pools of water to swim in. The hot dry air of Arizona made me willing to plunge into water at any opportunity I could. One side canyon had a waterfall that flowed down over curving red rocks. You could climb into a cave, make your way up some boulders back behind the rushing water, come out onto a ledge halfway up the waterfall, and then leap into the pool below.

11 comments:

jo(e) said...

Academic coach: This was definitely a life altering journey. I am still sorting out all the changes in myself and what I learned. Lots of that ends up in my poetry rather than on my blog, but I am sure I will blog some of it eventually. Or perhaps all you readers will notice a difference in me ....

iBeth said...

OMG, this is gorgeous. Who needs Sweden? :)

halloweenlover said...

Was it hard to hike and raft and be active for 2 weeks? You must be in fantastic shape. I think I would have collapsed on day 2.

Anonymous said...

What beautiful pictures, and wonderful descriptions!
Neighbor lady

Running2Ks said...

Breathtaking and beautiful! Your take is lyrical.

Anonymous said...

wow.

jo(e) said...

The first day of class? Well, it's a good thing I've taught this course so many times that I could teach it in my sleep because I have been sort of a half-asleep zombie today, my body still on Arizona time. But I taught all three sections, met with all my advisees, attended two meetings, and am now heading home with plans to take a nap ....

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful picture. It should be framed and on a wall. Like mine!

Anonymous said...

Yes. I just love this photo, too. A neat depiction of the "small & humble" human.

Anonymous said...

Stunning! And it looks familiar. My husband and I once hiked down to where the Havasupi live.

Pink Cupcake said...

Absolutely breathtaking. I just want to plunge into one of the pools of water...