Sick Day

DAY ONE HUNDRED AND EIGHT

I hate being sick.

It happens so infrequently I really don't know how to handle it. I can go years without getting so much as a sniffle. I figure germs do not want to reside in my body so they steer clear of me. This time, however, they got Nikolas first (about a week ago) and liked the family so much they decided to hang around a bit longer. I'm the one paying the price now.

Last night, I was in bad shape. Twice, I had to wake up due to my sheets being drenched with sweat and then I'd get the chills and be freezing. It was no fun at all.

So this afternoon's hike was the first of the year that my wife came along. She drove me to the trailhead and walked along in case I collapsed and someone had to call 911.

We headed to the top of the La Quinta Cove and my wife expressed amazement that there is a National Monument near our house. Of course, it's only been here for about ten years and I don't know if she's been hiking with me in that time.

It was great to have her along and she also was able to see the La Quinta Cove Oasis for the first time.

There are some funky things out in the desert and we were trying to figure out what this pedestal surrounded by a rock circle could possibly be for.

Nikolas thought it could be for a statue of him pointing people to the wilderness.

Of course, I think this would be a better location for his monument.

Our hike today lasted just under an hour and the fresh air actually did me good. Thanks to my wife and son, who helped me get out today when all I felt like doing was lying in bed. I couldn't have made it without you.

Going Down, Down, Down, Down.

DAY ONE HUNDRED AND SEVEN

I am not 21 years old anymore.

My post concert refractory period is much longer than it used to be. Three nights of averaging less than five hours of sleep is catching up to me. Also, catching some kind of upper respiratory infection and a sore throat isn't helping matters much. My Glory Days may have passed me by but nothing is going to stop me from getting out on the trail even for a little bit. I ain't dead yet.

I headed out toward the Bear Creek Trail area and will decide how far to go based on how I feel.

I head up the trail and have to stop at the top to rest. Who wouldn't? I must have gained 30 feet of elevation.

I follow the trail and have a nice view of this half moon over Coyote Mountain.

I get to the trail junction and have to decide which way to go. That's an easy one today; I'm going back. It seems the monumental winds we had blowing through this area did a number on the trail sign. It's not surprising since the winds hit over 60 MPH.

I haven't explored this canyon yet. I'll have to remember it for when I feel better.

On the way back I decide to go to the right and take a different tack. Mix it up a bit.

As I am approaching my starting point I look up the hill and notice that the cross that had been there for months is gone. That wind did a number on anything that wasn't nailed down.

Tonight I am resting up in case so I'll have the energy to do something a bit longer and more interesting tomorrow. I figure after a good night's sleep and a couple of medicinal shots of Jack Daniels, I'll be back to my OLD self.