sometimes the last hike looks like an ordinary morning.

where i am

location: high point trail, red cliffs desert reserve, st. george, utah
conditions: off cottonwood springs rd / old dump rd (black gulch trailhead)
energy level: heavy. sore hearts.

what i’m working with

we’d checked out a few trails the morning of october 25th. nothing urgent, just wandering, letting the girls stretch their legs—meant to be a quick scope at the trailhead, you know, just see what’s what. maybe come back for a longer hike or bike ride when joints and attitudes felt up for it.

old age and spinal arthritis had other plans. slapped us in the face, hard and fast, a few days later. plans for “next time” evaporated. and suddenly we were left saying goodbye, forever, to our baby and trail partner tove.

desert light has felt a bit different after that.

what i noticed

highlights (aka distractions for sore hearts):

• yellow flashes — desert marigold, probably, stubborn and loud
• long, dancing grasses — demanding photographic attention
• purple asters — little disco accents pushing through rosette leaves
• orange globemallow — easy to spot, easier to admire
• low, white desert spurge — sticking close to rocks, probably smarter than all of us

terrain notes

sandy, rocky, flat-ish. not much elevation gain, but every bump counts when the pack gets older. dog approval ratings fine for our gals, except for the holes (existential and otherwise).

trail, read, listen

trail
high point trail on onx backcountry
trail map for making plans you don’t know you’ll lose.

reading
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playlist
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for fellow wanderers

• bring water. stay humble. desert trails don’t care about your backstory.
• if you’re here with old dogs, take extra photos.
• leave no trace but maybe a few quiet memories.

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field note filed. nobody tells you this is the memory you’ll replay—and nobody warns you how sharp it turns if you blink.