If you didn't know, I had broken a bone in my foot two months ago. This past Monday I finally got the immobilization boot off. You should know what that means, my hiking boots went on. My foot still hurts but it is a little better. I got lucky, as I often do, and had to travel to Page Arizona for my day job. One of my favorite places in the state is there, Horseshoe Bend. Horseshoe Bend is a 270 degree bend in the Colorado River that you can only see from above. One thousand feet above. On the sandstone cliffs. It's pretty, very pretty. And dramatic. The sandstone cliffs change color with the time of day and the season. What better place could there possibly be to stretch out my healing foot.
My friend, Daniel, and I arrived in Page just in time to watch the storms surround the city. But it was sunny where we were so we headed out to Horseshoe Bend. During the three quarter mile hike from the parking area Daniel explained to me how much he hated heights. I told him the story of other people that I had brought here that couldn't reach the edge. I also told him of my own first visit when I was so determined to get the photo that I had to crawl to the edge and take the photo from my belly. I've been there so many times now that the heights don't bother me. I just walk right up to the edge. Today it was more like I hobbled up to the edge.
I found a spot that I thought might be slightly different than I've ever taken photos from before. I hobbled right out to the edge and set up my tripod. It was beautiful. Daniel took this photo of me on the edge.
As I was composing my photo a lady and her daughter mentioned that I might have lost my mind being so far out on the edge. I half turned and spoke with them for a few minutes before returning to my passion. I took a series of photos to capture as much information as I possibly could. I became aware of the wind increasing in speed. It was coming from behind me so I was a little concerned about it pushing my camera over the edge. I continued taking my photos while holding down the tripod with increasing force. The wind was getting strong.
I finished capturing what I wanted, stood up, picked up the tripod and folded legs together. The next gush of wind hit me with more force than ever. I suddenly realized that not only had I been holding the tripod down, but the tripod had been keeping me steady as well. My original plan had been to step back with my right foot but I couldn't get my left foot to summon the strength to push me backwards. I pushed the tripod legs back into the rock to keep me steady. I couldn't swivel in either direction without feeling like the wind would push me over. I looked down at the river 1,000 feet below and the panic set in. Pure terror suddenly touched my every fiber.
In what seemed like an hour, but was probably seconds, I looked for a ledge to jump to, considered sitting down, thought of casting aside my beloved camera while I jumped backwards while spinning wildly to look for my landing zone. I was too scared to move. I couldn't even turn my head away from the ledge. I needed to know where it was. I couldn't see any way off of this ledge that didn't include down. Down meant a very bad ending.
I thought to myself "I'm not going to make it off of this ledge!"
I'm not going to make it off of this ledge. That was the thought that made me realize that I had to take control. I had to stop the panic from being in control. All I needed was one step backwards. And the sooner the better. I wasn't sure how long I could control the terror. Looking right I saw Daniel standing a little bit away from me. I called out to him. He must have seen it in my eyes because I don't remember making much of a motion but he came.
"Do you need to hand me something?" he asked. "ME!" I replied.
Without hesitation, and with complete disregard for his own personal safety or dignity, Daniel crawled out on the ledge where I was standing and reached out his hand to me. I only remember quickly reaching back and grabbing his hand, pulling myself towards him and that one step I needed to feel safe again. We both quickly retreated from the ledge and smiled at the safety of something wider than a 12 inch ledge.
The adrenalin coursed through my body for a while but I knew that I would learn from this. Isn't that how we continue living? I'll go back when I get the chance. And yes, I will go right to the edge. I will make sure I have two good feet next time. I will also watch the wind and mind it more than ever.
But you know I will go again. I have to be on the edge to get photos of views like this.
Here is Daniel after he saved me. Suspiciously close to the edge. I wonder if he gained some confidence.
Next stop is the Grand Canyon. I hope my foot has recovered enough that I feel comfortable close to the edge. You can be sure I will be careful though.
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