Way back when in 1973 I was a Junior at Lewis and Clark College(now University) in Portland, Oregon. I did not like my academic experience there so I opted for as many off-campus studies as I was allowed. In the Spring of 1973 it was a Southwest study; geology, indigenous peoples, archaeology, and an independent study.
We were initially based at Ghost Ranch in Abiquiu, New Mexico. I had new hikers boots and had a grand time going for solo treks up buttes, into box canyons, and cavorting with wild horses on the mesas. I love New Mexico.
As an aside, I accidentally got locked into an Indian culture center in Santa Fe when I left the room where the dancing was occurring and went, of course, into the library. The rest of the group was back at the HOJO motel before my roommate missed me.
After several weeks of lectures and field trips we went touring to practice our geological abilities, view archaeological sites and identify independent study sites. After making it to Arizona we camped and hiked into and out of Canyon de Chelly.
By the time we made it to the Grand Canyon I had been feeling logy for a couple of days. I was very tired, and had no appetite. However, I convinced myself of my sterling hiking abilities and headed, solo, down the Bright Angel Trail with just 16 ounces of water. Going down was a blast. I made it to Indian Gardens and realized that I did not have enough time to make it to the river before having to be back at our designated meeting place. I didn’t want to get left behind again. So up the trail I go. It is hot. It is steep. I have to stop frequently and take small sips of my quickly depleting water. I am exhausted. Onward, ever onward. I successfully made it to the porch of the El Tovar Hotel and collapsed into a rocker. I didn’t think I could ever move again.
Back to our camp site, our professor took one look at me and was quite concerned. I assured him that I was fine, just tired from my hike. The next day we headed down and made a stop at Flagstaff General Hospital to check me out. The docs took blood and immediately admitted me with an elevated white blood count. Three days later I am ferried down to Phoenix to catch a plane to Western Washington.
So. No independent study with a Navajo Health Clinic. A slew of incompletes on my ‘permanent record’. My car is left with other participants with the promise to return it at the end of May.
The good news, after medicine, and recuperation I headed up to Paradise Inn at Mt. Rainier and by mid-summer had become involved with my main man.