We decided to hike one of our favorite hikes, Stewart Falls. When we turned off to get there, the road was closed due to a truck rollover. We decided to get there another way which put us behind about an hour. However, the drive was beautiful. The last time we did this hike, we got there around dinner time, and it was shady the whole way, not a lot of people, it was sublime. Today, we got there close to lunch time, we got one of the last two parking spaces and the high reached 102!
We made decent time getting to the falls. We brought the dogs. Chewy loved it, Cap tuckered out about 1/2 a mile in. We had anticipated this, so we picked him up and plopped him in to Mike's pack.
Cap wasn't so sure about this, and would frequently whine for me. I would reach back and pet him to reassure him.
Reaching the falls was such a nice reward. We cooled off, ate our lunch and Chewy plopped right into the creek. Cap was okay with the water. I poured the icy mountain water over his body to cool him since he didn't seem to think laying in the water was a good idea.
As we hiked out, a lady approached Mike, and said, "I'm really worried about my friend. I think she might be having heat stroke." I don't know why she felt comfortable approaching complete strangers and why she chose us. There were a lot of people on the trail. We rushed over to her, gave her some of our water, urged her to eat the kids' applesauce they didn't eat for lunch and a fresh apple. Mike coaxed her to stand, she took two steps and almost collapsed. Bit by bit we climbed, but it soon became obvious she was too weak to finish the hike. I informed the ladies that Mike was a paramedic and that they were in good hands. I rounded the kids and the dogs up, and Mike and I decided it was best for him to stay with the ladies and I finish the hike and get the kids and the dogs to the van where they could get cool.
Soon after I left, Mike called me and we decided, the lady would be best served by having the Search and Rescue come get her. He called dispatch, and I crept along with the kids. Soon, our water was gone. The high noon sun beat down on us. The trail dust clung to our sweaty bodies. Cap kept his head poked out of the backpack, but was content to lick me and let me know how happy he was I wasn't making him walk. Chewy began to overheat, and every few minutes, gingerly crawled into bushes and plopped down and refused to move. No amount of coaxing was going to get him to come out until he had cooled off enough to move. An older couple saw me trying to gently urge him and they offered me a water bottle, which Chewy gulped down and popped up ready to go. Minute by minute we crawled along. I began to worry I might just have to find a shady spot and wait for Mike to come so he could carry Chewy's seventy five pound frame down from the mountain. The kids were the best. I was so pleased with their attitude in spite of being so very hot and needing more water in the 102 degree weather. I also worried about the woman Mike had stopped to help, and I often offered prayers on her behalf. Then I would offer prayers for Chewy, that he would understand the only way we could get him more water was to get down the mountain.
In spite of the sweat, dripping down my face and back, I still marveled at the natural beauty.
I love Squirt's facial expression here. She was adamantly telling me something.
Our beautiful princess got my overheat, non sweating gene. She turns so red when she is hot.
One of our million stops we had to take so Chewy could rest.
(I didn't realize how filthy I was until I got into the van, yek.)
Thank goodness we eventually made it to a water spigot and the dogs drank and drank and drank some more. The children refilled their water bottles and swigged down the cool water. Jake asked, "Hey, Mom, will you toss me the van keys, and I can start the van so it will began to cool off?" It hit me, I never thought to ask Mike for the van keys!
We found a shady picnic table and waited. It wasn't too much longer, when their strong daddy came jogging down the trail. He had waited for the Search and Rescue team and when he was confident that the lady was in good hands, he ran to meet us. Everyone jumped in the van, and we headed for a well deserved ice cream treat.
(So very much dirt! And do you know what bugs me the most? Mike's face, hands and pants were spotless. How? How?)
As I look back on today, my heart is filled to almost bursting. First, I am so grateful for my husband. He is strong, he is kind, he makes you feel safe. I knew that lady felt safe because he was with her. I am glad we crossed her path today to help her.
Second, I am grateful for our kids and their strength. They surprised me today and I'm glad! I sure love them and am overjoyed they are ours.
Third, my hip was strong today. Even carrying the 10 pound puppy down the mountain, it did well. It is so invogorating to be able to do the things I love with my family again!
And fourth, even though today we made a great memory together, I felt the hole that was left by Caleb's absence. He is on a scout backpacking trip until tomorrow. I really don't know how I am going to do it when my kids start leaving the nest. I think I will start buying up empty lots in our neighborhood so each of them can build their homes and stay close by.
I received this photo in my email today. The scouts reached King's Peak. Caleb is in the blue jacket and blue hood. I am so grateful for his leaders, they truly are the best.
