Before you become emotionally involved in this story I want you know I have witnesses. This is a full and accurate account of this hike.
Feeling the ever present call to adventure we gathered a few friends and headed off to Big Bend National Park. We had Marti in the car with us and were planning to meet another couple there. We roll in late at night because Texas is huge and we had to drive across the whole state. I don't remember if we couldn't find a camp site so we decided to share with someone or if the marking was poor and we weren't sure we were in our site. Either way we set up our tents as quietly as we could and I'll never forget Marti tip toeing through the campsite with a fully erect pup tent held over her head. Tents set up we realize we have no bedding. All the air mattresses and sleeping bags and pillows were left at home. The nearest town is more than an hour away and it's not a 24hr a day kind of town. There will be no replacing the bedding tonight. We crawl into our tent with a very itchy wool blanket that lives in the trunk and two beach towels. We snuggle together to stay warm. Longest night of my life.
The next day we replaced the bedding. Found a real campsite that we didn't have to share. Hiked around and swam in the "Texmex" or more widely know as the Rio Grande. Our other couple showed up, we grilled steaks, roasted marshmallows, just generally had a great time. Us 3 girls made a horrible mistake that night. We said "We will hike whatever you want tomorrow" Doug wanted to hike the south rim loop trail. Its an 8 mile hike and that seemed reasonable. Plans made it was off to bed.
We woke up ready to hike. We carried lunch and snacks with us. The weather was drippy but not really raining. We drive to the trail head and take off. Now it is possible that I was the only one who didn't connect the dots. South RIM loop would indicate UP. The rim is at the top. We had to hike up hill. That's on me. I am smarter than that. But it was a lot of up. Then we come to a trail intersection. The way that it pointed to the South Rim Loop-8 miles made it look as if we were just now getting on that trail. Here I was thinking we were nearly half way and we haven't even started? The girls rally. We demand the map. Sure enough. It is roughly 5 miles to the South Rim Loop Trail. Then 8 miles of loop. Then 5 miles back down to the car. This 8 miles we agreed to was now a 16-18 mile hike. We briefly start to reevaluate our life. But we get it together. We can do this. We are women hear us roar! Onward!
The views from the south rim are worth it. It's like a Texas version of the Grand Canyon. It just makes your heart soar to see it. It also makes your stomach drop to look over the edge. So you know, be careful with that. I just stand there and imagine God dragging His fingers through there creating this amazing wonder for me and I feel so loved. He made this just for me! I am His pookie!
But back to the endless hike. After seeing this amazing landscape we now had to hike down. We were so excited!! The down we had long awaited. Ya well stow your excitement. The down was HORRIBLE. We hiked miles sideways so that our toes didn't cram into the front of our shoes. Our shins ached! As we hiked the group got quieter and quieter. All the girls silently plotting to kill or at least maim the guys.
And then the car!!! WE MADE IT! We lived. We were starving. We drove to the little on site restaurant and ordered the biggest burger they had. Either they weren't very big or we were very hungry. We went back to camp and cooked second dinner.
Here we are 4 years later and never do we go on a hike that I don't check, double check and verify the mileage. Some things are never lived down. Ain't that right Doug? Travis?
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