We started a hike at 8am but it was already getting hot out. We should have started an hour or two earlier because it was over 90 by 11am. We were hiking a trail called “The Lighthouse” which has some amazing rocks which make it look like a lighthouse. The trail is an out and back but 2/3 of the way is another trail which headed back to our campsite. The overall lighthouse trail is 2.7 miles long, but times that by two to get back out. Plus we still would have had to hike another trail back to the campsite. So I suggested that we don’t go the full trail and instead take the other trail back. Vick was a little disappointed at first but she was quite happy with the decision after 5 miles into the whole hike with temps rising.. We came across a family of 6! With the Dad carrying the littlest one in a back pack. When we got to the trail head there was a sign saying the trails were closed from 11-5 due to heat. We had just got out at 10:45 so I was nervous for the family that went in and let a ranger know to keep an eye out for them.
Vick here……OMG ‘Could it BE any hotter?’ A. Why do people live here? B. How do people live here? and C. back to my first question why do people live here?!!!……the heat and humidity is like nothing we’ve ever experienced, and I lived in Africa!! Bill did tell me that all his friends advised him against it, nice to know that now!! We’re driving back from dinner, it’s 8:30pm and it’s still 95 degrees! Last night wasn’t bad, it did cool down enough for us to use our blankets. I got up at 4am to pee (TMI!) and the night sky was sooooo beautiful, the crescent moon was shining up by the overlook, the stars were so bright and I even saw a shooting star! Yes, we did get a slightly late start on our hike but it was AMAAAAZING! Even when it got a little hot towards the end and I lost the will to walk….the damn mile markers just didn’t go down quick enough….0.7 miles left, you’re no good to me, I need 0.5 or less!! We were super prepared and had plenty of water, sun hats, sun screen, sun shirts, Frogg cooling towels, I took my neck fan and my silver survival blanket in case we did get stuck somewhere, I’m a very good Boy Scout!! Having said that I forgot to take the compass and whistle which I did think about in the night but promptly forgot about! When we got back I promptly re-wet all my clothing and stuck my feel in a tub of water and sat in the shade, which helped, but the flies were pretty damn awful so we climbed up into the camper where it was a little toasty. Bill managed to have a tropical heat deep slumber kinda nap but I just couldn’t, so went back out to the shade and bucket of water. We then both lost the plot and packed up and went off to the cinema in Amarillo to take advantage of their AC and to see the new Indiana Jones film which was great fun. We’re heading back to the campsite and can you believe on back roads the speed limit is 75 and then suddenly you come across a stop sign…madness!! We’re off to White Sands in New Mexico tomorrow and will be staying in a hotel the next couple of nights, thank the AC gods!! Huzzah!
All hail the AC gods forever! Enjoy your hotel break!
Wow, a Collared Lizard and a Tarantula, you hit the jackpot. Lovely photos you are taking. Happy you took precautions and listened to your instincts with the heat, it can overtake you quite easily.
Love your narratives, Vicki! Keep ’em coming. And I’m glad you didn’t push too hard in the heat. In 1979 my then-boyfriend and I hiked down the Grand Canyon. On the trip back up the next day we met a family at the half-way point who had not brought a water bottle. In AZ. In July. We gave them one of ours. I’ve wondered many times how they would have survived without one, with three little kids! Anyway, thanks for bringing us on your adventures, and I’m glad you’ll be in hotel AC tonight.
Great photos! The contrast between the blue sky and the red rocks/dusty land is beautiful. A level of peace to be found here….