A week hiking in Sedona! What could go wrong in this lifelong dream? My husband slipped, twisting his ankle on our first walk to Bell Rock. He was admiring the magnificent scenery and stepped off pavement IN THE PARKING LOT. He knew it was hurt, but wanted to continue the 3-mile hike we had planned.
We walked to the edge of Bell Rock and it seems to grow in circumference as you navigate the bottom edge. The sun was low in the sky and highlighting the red orange glow as we continued on the north edge of the Bell Rock. We could not find the path around the rock as there are so many side paths.
Honor and enjoy your Creator while you’re still young, Before the years take their toll and your vigor wanes, Before your vision dims and the world blurs And the winter years keep you close to the fire. In old age, your body no longer serves you so well. Muscles slacken, grip weakens, joints stiffen. The shades are pulled down on the world. You can’t come and go at will. Things grind to a halt. The hum of the household fades away. You are wakened now by bird-song. Hikes to the mountains are a thing of the past. Even a stroll down the road has its terrors. Ecclesiastes 12: 1-4 The Message
We went toward Courthouse Rock and found ourselves winding through the brush heading south which was the correct direction. By this time, my husband was visibly limping and in pain. Planning to just stroll and not “hike” we had on tennis shoes and I know that was and always is, a bad decision.
After returning to our walking distance hotel, we found his ankle was swollen to twice normal. Bruising had begun from his heel upward and pain was increasing when his shoe was removed. RICE was enacted immediately (rest, ice, compression, and elevation) but the damage was done.
What injuries have affected your hiking? How do you prepare for leg and foot injuries? How do you adjust your plans when someone is injured?