April 23. Faith, friends and...what day is it anyway?

As you know from prior blogs we've been temporarily delayed due to blisters.
Thanks to my Bff of 40+ years (Miriam) who connected us with her friends who ironically live in the area we have a place to call home while we nurse our wounds and re-strategize. Thank you Rik & Faith. Not only have they opened their home but they are trained EMTs and are guiding us in our foot care. It's obvious that once again, the good Lord provides our needs. Our recouperation time has given ample time for reflection. Just sitting is not something we do well and at the moment we literally have no choice. It feels like we've been here for a week when it's only been 36 hours. I lost track of days almost immediately when we started the hike. It's easy to do out on the trail.

In our down time there have been bouts of tears and depression and frustration. I knew before we left home, that the trail had things to teach us. I just didn't expect the lessons to start so soon or be so painful. After running the gamut of thoughts of giving up; cutting off my feet; skipping past all the hard stuff and more, we have realized life is not over and neither is this hike. WE ARE GOING TO DO THIS. We are just delayed. We are redoing our itinerary to allow a slower pace until our feet get the idea and stop protesting.

We have met some of the most amazing people on the trail-our trail family. We are already finding ourselves missing them and worrying and wondering about them in our time away. Where is Moses who encouraged us and guided us those first couple of days? And the Chariots of fire? How are you doing now-you passed us by a few days ago? And dear Razor. You have been such a support and encourager for us. We'd better meet up again soon! And G-Bird, how are your feet? Did you get your new shoes & are they helping? Kyle & Cindy how are you & where are you. I hope we meet again. And of course our friends the Hiking Fools...did you get our message at Barrel Spring and at the W.S. community center? I wonder if we'll actually meet on trail.

For those hiking vicariosly thru us or others there are so many emotions that cannot be described. There is such a feeling of accomplishment to look back the hills you have just conquered, or realizing that one by one you are facing your fears and knocking them down-each little victory giving you more strength and courage for the next. Every glorious sunrise, sunset and starry sky; every desert valley and snow capped mountain or babbling stream. Every bird song and blooming  flower and scent arouses sesnses heightened to new levels. This only part of why we do this...

Enough rambling-give me enough time and I will ramble....here are some photos that are sure to be of more interest...(Technical difficulties... photos coming soon...)

Beginnings...so clean &  excited