Early in 2022 I had my first major hiking accident.
I was in North Alabama hiking along the side of Peterson’s Pit, which is a lush sinkhole with rare plants that is near my brothers home. One false step and into the pit you go — probably the last hike you would make. As I neared the end of the descent, I had a big step to manage and somehow I came down on my leg in such a way that I ended up in need of physical therapy for two months.
With a trip planned to Yosemite to show my husband sights I had experienced on a prior trip with friends, I worked hard in therapy to train to be able to hike there. The park had closed the road to Glacier Point for the entire year for road maintenance. I was hoping to take the hiker bus up and hike the vertical mile down so my husband could see the iconic views from the incredible vista at Glacier Point. Soon came the day we were going UP UP UP on the Four Mile Trail (which is really almost five!)
After many hours WE MADE IT! We were so thrilled with the view and sat on a large rock to experience it all as we ate our lunch. My leg was feeling pretty good! And hubby was drinking it all in on his first time there. Half Dome! Nevada and Vernal Falls! The Valley and of course, Yosemite Falls!
But the one thing I saw that just made me smile was this little fellow nearby, just stretched out on a comfy spot on a boulder overlooking ”his” domain that I was just able to momentarily visit! Being there, after all my hard work, and seeing him just living his life, well, I was thrilled…and just a little bit jealous.
We did make it down and my legs racked up over 38,000 steps. I deserved my Bloody Mary at dinner! It was a good day! 🥾
Linda Wurstner, donor
