For High Fitness, there was a September challenge. For the past three years, I have been the winner. You have to get blackout and every year, the hardest one for me is to "go on a hike" to check a box. This year, I asked my good friend Angie if we could schedule a hike so I could get it done TWO WEEKS before the end of the month. She was happy to oblige (seeing as how she hikes every day anyway). Thursday morning we got up and went to Bells Canyon first thing in the morning. The weather was nice, the trail not too crowded and I was feeling good.
There were beautiful Fall leaves everywhere and the prospect of the waterfall was alluring. It started out pretty smooth. Not too much of an incline but as we went, it got steeper and more rocky and I felt more and more like dying. We pushed our way up and made it to the falls, had a snack and I was so proud of myself, all the while never thinking about the way down.
We started our way down the mountain and passed happy hikers, one gentleman who wished us an "enjoyable hike". Walking along, thinking about how great it was going to be to be finished and then one. wrong. step.
I hit the dirt. Instantly felt like throwing up. I had twisted my ankle pretty badly.
I could barely walk and almost started to cry just thinking about how far I had to go to actually make it back to the car. I said a quiet prayer. Angie let me rest, we said a prayer together and hoped it would work out. Angie, being the seasoned hiker that she is, had a pack full of supplies. Me, being the optimist that I AM, brought my own ibuprofen. We medicated, wrapped it and started our way down the mountain. Angie had called her husband and the plan ensued. A sweet couple who had passed us, stopped and offered me one of their poles (since I was using a stick that could barely support me). Dave at Whole Foods, thank you. David (Angie's husband) dropped his lunch, ran to the mountain and then literally ran to bring me an ankle brace and poles. He had also contacted Sandy City who sent Charlie to the access road to come and get me. I had to walk quite a ways to reach Charlie but once I saw him I knew I could make it to his truck. My ankle was huge, swollen and already bruising but I had never been happier to sit in a car. David then went on to track down Whole Foods Dave to return his pole and then to finish "hiking" since he was already there. Machines those Richmans.
The power of prayer was real. I could barely take two steps but I KNEW that if I had faith we could make it. I am so grateful that I was hiking with someone who was experienced and her sweet husband who saved the day. After all said and done, my ankle is still huge, I undoubtedly have lost the High contest. Makes for a great story though.
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| Happy to have made it- right before I hurt myself |
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| Charlie wasn't too keen on having his picture taken so Angie sneaked one from the back of the car. |
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| A lovely shade of purple |
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