Heading out... of my Mind?

A friend forwarded this cartoon to me along with a whole bunch of Maxine cartoons. Of course I seized on this one....

I'm off to the bottom of the Grand Canyon for my third story assignment there in less than a year. I injured my foot several weeks ago, and it's better but still not 100 percent. So I haven't trained as I normally would--by hiking. Instead, I've been working on the eliptical trainer because it doesn't bend my foot, which isn't the same. So this trip feels a little mad.

But only a little. Honestly, I think I'm in better shape than when I made my first hike. And I'll pack my tools along with my gear. I'll be taking along my HP, of course. I'll remember Easy Does It. I will save myself from two pests, hurry and indecision. And I won't be afraid to ask for help, if I need it.

Of course, I'm packing Advil and ace wraps, too. So keep me in your thoughts and prayers. I'll return your visits as soon I'm able upon my return. Till then, take good care.

Blog Carnival

Hi Everyone. I just popped in for a minute to tell you that I finished the first of two Grand Canyon hikes. This one was from the North Rim to Roaring Springs. Here are a couple of pictures.

The first is where I stopped to eat my breakfast. The second is Roaring Springs.

Of course, there was an Al-Anon lesson.

At the Ranger station just a half-mile down from Roaring Springs there is a cottonwood-shaded picnic table where hikers can rest and fill up on water. On the table, the rangers have taped little laminated tips.

One was titled: "Sit down and put your feet up." It said that you should stop every half-hour to an hour and sit down. When you do that, it gives your legs the chance to rid themselves of 20-30 percent of the waste products that build up in them. It's these waste products that make your legs feel tired and heavy.

I know those same waste products also make your legs feel sore the next day. The card when on to say that doing this would not slow you down, I'm guessing, because you'd be able to hike with renewed strength.

It felt like my Higher Power was putting in front of me just what I needed to see.

Not just in hiking, but in everything in my life, my strategy was just to power through, no matter how tired I felt. This was another reminder to me that "Easy Does It."

I took that advice, and made it out in the average time of four hours. The next day, my hip joints were stiff and my calves a little sore, but it was very minor. It really did work. I've tried to carry that lesson into my day-to-day life. When I'm tired, I take a break. I get back to my work renewed, and I enjoy my life more.

So now, I'm training for my three-day backpacking trip from the South Rim at the end of the month. Keep me in your prayers.

Meanwhile, I wanted to let you all know about a blog carnival that Shen has coordinated on the topic of 12-step recovery. There's lots of good stuff on it. Please go check it out. Here's the link: http://stepperswisdom.blogspot.com/

I hope to be able to get back to blogging soon, and will stop by for a visit as soon as I am able. Until then, please take good care.