The Delicate Arch
If you ever make it to Moab, Utah make a side visit to Arches National Park. However take a second to re-think the idea of hiking up to see the “Delicate Arch” in the. Don’t do it. Buy a postcard, buy a hundred postcards, look it up on Google Earth. Don’t believe anyone if they tell you, “it’s not that big a deal it’s only a mile and a half, you can do it.” Seriously, it is a miserable experience.
I admit it. I didn’t make it. I made it to the 8th inning. Then I stopped literally in the middle of the path. I just stopped and sat down. Breathing had become so painful I was almost willing to stop doing it altogether it if it meant the pain in my side and in my chest would subside just a little. They kept telling me the hard part is over you’re almost there. But frankly all I could think is that I still have to take a step backwards for every step forward in order to get off the mountain.
What’s worse though is being the youngest of the group we were with. And I am the only one that didn’t make it. This was the saddest aspect considering I’m not quite 40 and most of our group short of my husband consisted of 60+’ers. Yes, it was a geriatric moment. There I sat barely breathing, left behind in the dust I might add by people old enough to be my parents! Yes it sucked big time.
I admit it I’m not the athletic type. Mountains are not my friend. I have zero desire to conquer Mt. Shasta, Mt. Fuji, or Mt. Kilimanjaro. I just don’t have any interest.
I’ll take a nice flat beach with a drink nearby and a book over a mountain any day.