Our afternoon hike to Purcell Well was designed to accommodate both Malinda’s desire to do some “off-roading” in the Suburban, and my desire to not climb up any mountains, that I might not die.<\/p>\n
Now, in perfect conditions, this hike would be moderately difficult, based on the fact that while it is mostly flat, it does require climbing down a steep embankment to get into a wash, navigating through a thick span of salt cedars, crossing a wash and then climbing up out of it on the other side.\u00a0 We did not anticipate that conditions would be less than perfect, however.\u00a0 The recent rains made the clay super slippery, and I had my first fall of the hike coming down the bank into the wash when my feet slipped out from under me.\u00a0 Landing neatly on my back-side, sliding a smidge, and coming to a stop with my left elbow in the mud, I exulted in my own cleverness at keeping a death-grip on the camera (which I was holding in my left hand) and saving it from a muddy end.<\/p>\n
Once down into the wash, the kids had no trouble whatsoever deftly avoiding the cow-pies while sidestepping the plentiful and pokey sage bushes, and creeping underneath the low-hanging salt cedars.\u00a0 In fact, from years of observation, I’d say it’s pretty much what they live for on ranch hikes.\u00a0 Paul, who is equally dextrous, happily scouted ahead for me to find the path of least resistance, and gallantly held back branches for me to safely duck beneath.<\/p>\n
Finally we made it to the wash, where there was still ice and snow in the shady areas, but discovered that there was also a stream running down the sand at the bottom that would have to be crossed.\u00a0 After looking up and down the wash, we realized there was no good way to climb up the other side in that area, so we had to go back the way we came, hike down the wash on the top a quarter mile or so, and then climb down AGAIN.<\/p>\n
Oh, Joy.\u00a0 It was with the deepest gratitude that, after hauling myself up over the edge, I accepted my chivalrous sweetie’s offer to drive me over to the climb-down spot.\u00a0 And this time I managed to avoid falling down, yay me!\u00a0 Down we went, across the stream, and up the other side, with a great deal of hilarity over the heavy muddy shoes as we went.<\/p>\n