The following morning we awoke at 5:30 AM and started on the trail by 6:00 AM . This time we road past Arches NP toward Route 313.
A mile or so past the Park starts a very steep inclining switchback that leads to the top of the mountain. This was an 8 % grade. Terri had said she wanted to see how high the road went.
As we passed people, or they passed us, they would say, “You’re almost there!”
We trudged up in “Granny Gear” and I kept saying “You got this, we are almost there”. The encouragement was followed by sarcasm as I had to mention it was her damn idea! We were 50 yards from the top when Terri said she could not do anymore. She urged me to go on and she would wait for me. Hell no! We were 50 yards from her goal. I told her she could, that she did have it in her and she was getting to the top of this hill. She dug deep and made it to the top!
This morning ride was far more than a bike ride, This ride is symbolic of all her Journeys. Her Healing Journey, Our Faith Journey, our Relationship Journey and this Journey to see the National Parks. There have been many times , in all the aforementioned, she felt she did not have it in her to continue. Then, she digs deep and conquers! You can see the sheer joy in her smile; the joy of making it to the top. By the way, the ride back was MUCH easier –
What a Ride! What a Woman! What a Survivor! ….oh yeah, we still had to go to Needles part of the park and hike…