Art And Everything In Between

Color Fields Through and Through

6/18/2019

Before I begin to share with you my story, I must thank all of the first responders of Sunol Reginal Wilderness Park. The rangers, the firemen and police. I regret not being able to mention their names but at the time my foot took center stage. MOST OF ALL, I want to thank my Kurt, who was the true hero of this story.

In the beginning of May, Kurt, Lucy and I went on a hike in Sunol. We took the Indian Joe creek trail where we had to cross a number of creeks. It started out to be the perfect day with all the wildflowers popping up.

AND THEN Lucy decided that it would be a good idea to roll in a BIG fresh pile of cow poo. OH LUCY!!!!!

We rinsed her off in a near by icy cold creek and continued on. Our hike was a steep hill climb and had us all huffing and puffing. We talked about turning back but decided that we should finish what we started. We made it to the ROCK! We had hiked up 600 ft worth of elevation in 1.6 miles. We were quite proud of ourselves.

We rested up there for a bit and decided to head back down. It wasn't more then 15 min. later and I went down. I stepped on a rock just right and I heard my ankle go 'pop crunch'. Not good....We had so far to go.....since I couldn't walk I got the idea I would boot scoot on down, after 5 min of that, Kurt thought he would carry me down, but this was a slippery slope though rocky creeks. After talking though the pros and cons we decide that Kurt should head back without me to get get help. Lucy and I alone in the middle of nowhere keeping an eye out for mountain lions. It is wilderness, you know.

Kurt flew down in one-fifth the time that it took us to hike up there. He couldn't personally find the ranger but he came across a nice man who knew who to call all the right people. In the back of Kurt's mind he knew he had to get back up to us for our safty. We hiked where not to many people go. He made the climb back up so fast he was to the point of exhaustion. Half way back up he collapsed and laid there on his belly so as to catch his breath. That's where he picked up a tick that we later removed once we got home.

As Kurt was on his hike back up to me, he could hear the search helicopter. Here I am sitting there, with the helicopter circling us, using a loud speaker but I could understand what he actually said" "to wave my hands if I was hurt or NOT hurt".

At that point there coming over the hill side was my knight in shining armor Kurty! Kurt said "I'm bringing the Calvary!" By the time he reached me he was having trouble breathing I was afraid he was going down too because it was a steep up hill climb that he made in about 25 minutes that took the both of us 3 hours and he had to do it twice!

Soon after Kurt's return, the rangers....the fireman medics....and the park state police came marching over the hill. They talked about sending the 'police' helicopter because it was smaller OR that they could carry me out on a stretcher instead. I asked to be carried out, I might add, it felt a little like Cleopatra being carried out by 8 strong guys.

That was 20 min transport on narrow cow trails barly wide enough for a cow let alone a man on each side of me in a basket. Kurty and Lucy stayed with me following at the rear. I went to look where we were and the fireman smiled and told me not to look down.

Made it to where all the rescue guys were parked with an ambulance waiting in case I need them. Though I was in a great deal of pain and I couldn't walk on my own, I just wanted to go home.The ranger took us the rest of the way in his truck back to our jeep.

Made it home. I pulled a tick that was attached to Kurt and Kurt gave Lucy a much needed bath. I learned my ankle was broken in 2 places.

The End.

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