Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Day 9

The Hike

”Completed a 5.3 mile hike over petrified sand dunes at a pretty fast clip, but this time they did allow us to stop a few times and admire the spectacular views. So much more interesting than constantly staring at a spot 4 to 6 inches in front of your leading foot.

The Music
One of the more intriguing aspects of Fitness Ridge is the music. It ranges from disco mania compilations played at 240 decibels, to the barely audible Sounds of the Sea Shore type calming mood music. Unfortunately, all I can think of when I hear the gently lapping of water while we’re in the middle of a high plains desert is “Has the building sprung a leak?” It’s so incongruous. Still I’m now an expert on sounds of the river, jungle rustling, pine needles falling, and my personal favorite, strings for bald eagles masticating and regurgitating dead voles to feed to their young.

The Storm
A spectacular storm blew over last night – very high winds, towels, deck chairs, and dust everywhere, and the most varied and incredible lighting. One half of the sky from the horizon to the heavens was covered with sheet lighting, and forked vertical and horizontal lightening strikes, sometimes one a time, sometimes two, three, four at a time. I’ve never seen anything like it or been that close to such a natural pyrotechnic display.

Close
Definitely getting used to that gratifying tiredness that only comes after physical exhaustion. Now starting to think about how to replicate it when we get home. Being on sabbatical from work for another 4 weeks will certainly ease the transition to normal life.