Canyon Life

After camping out for the first time with Alex, Brandon, and Daniel, we returned to Rotary Park. 

As planned, we rendezvoused with Emily and Stevie and then hiked up-canyon together.

Arrival in the canyon, which pockets a lush oasis in the midst of the desert.

Guest Cave, where we'll be staying.

From left:  Daniel, Brandon, Emily, Stevie, Alex, Freebird. Freebird lives in a neighboring cave.

The view we've been waking up to the past two mornings!

Once settled in, we all went over to the pool to cool down. I observed that Daniel wasn't wearing any shoes, and I figured that I could do it too. Not any different than Indiana, right? While everyone else ran ahead, Freebird stayed by my side as I pulled cactus spines and goatheads out of my feet.

Swimming at the pool.

Climbing up to try the water slide.

Freebird, Emily, and Stevie around the campfire outside of Cottonwood Cave (where Freebird stays).

Daniel prepared 3 different dishes of food for dinner (not bad for no money). About 2/3 of it came from wild edibles. Out-of-this-world stir fry, rice and beans, and another dish of honey locust seeds! That night, Free Bird also cooked us a dish (that I didn't get to try because I was so full) and gave us tortillas, blackberries, strawberries, and cheese. Emily and Stevie provided mushrooms and pomegranate-blueberry juice. I'm finding that it's not only possible to live without money, but that I eat much better than I ever have in my life. 

Later on everyone had s'mores, but I didn't stay for that. I was feeling rather exhausted from the past few days. Stevie walked me back to the Guest Cave, where I got much restful sleep for the adventures that lay ahead the next day.