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November 1, 2005
The Joy of Water
I don't think that we can fully appreciate the presence of good, clean water until we are temporarily deprived of it. Cases in point:
1) I worked and lived at a field camp in northern Tanzania for 6 weeks. It was the dry season and water was scarce. We were alotted 1 gallon of water per day for drinking, cooking, and bathing. I sure appreciated adequate water supply after that.
2) In my travels throughout the developing world, having to brush my teeth with bottled water rather than dip my toothbrush under the faucet taught me to value functional water treatment systems.
3) Backpacking trips in the desert at Big Bend National Park were always a challenge in carrying enough water or planning one's trip so that you passed by one of the scarce desert springs. Moving to Wyoming and finding trickling streams and raging rivers everywhere are akin to a hiker's/backpacker's heaven in comparison.
4) Being cut off from the water system in my own house for 2 1/2 days was a challenge in its own right. Life was reduced to its most simple state, being unable to shower, cook, or even drink a glass of water.
Suffice it to say, I'm happy to report that my water is back on today and I'm a happy camper.
Yesterday's workout plans were reduced to running only. Many of you know that I work in emergency services, and when a call comes in, I have to work, no matter what time of day or night. I spent most of the afternoon on an emergency call, and didn't get back until almost dark. I put in a quick 3 mile run in the neighborhood. I ran 2 miles of it on the dirt track nearby. I always time my miles on this track because, well, I'm curious. My 2 timed miles were 7:24 and 7:23. This pace is well beyond my usual easy pace, most definitely, but it still felt ungodly easy. I'm pretty sure that I was still pumped full of adrenaline from working that emergency. But hey, I'll take what my body gives me!
After that, I spent a few hours handing out candy to trick-or-treaters (and worked my core exercises in between knocks on the door). But I never got to spinning on the bike or lifting, oops!
This afternoon I ran 5 easy miles in the hills of the neighborhood, dodging 2 herds of elk in the process. Oh, the joys of the wilderness!
We've reduced our backpacking trip to car camping, because there seems to be too much snow for backpacking without snowshoes. Tomorrow we're going to car camp in the national forest, and go visit some hot springs. It sounds to me like a good alternative to backpacking!
When I woke up this morning, I opened my shade and there was a bison staring in my window. This 800-ish pound creature was close enough that his breathing was steaming up my window. He just kept staring at me nonchalantly. If it had been a human, I would have called him a peeping tom. Should I call him a peeping bison?
Posted by Meghan at November 1, 2005 1:44 PM
Comments
oh I'm so glad you're back. This way I'll be sure to keep track of your goings on.
Stay warm ... dude.
Posted by: jenandmats at November 2, 2005 4:21 PM