Traveling with an Avid Hiker-Photographer
As told by his good-natured wife
In a companionable marriage of opposites, a hiker-photographer husband loves to tackle challenges while his more sedentary wife opts for the less-challenging and less-risky routes. Wife Sherrill Pool Elizondo writes of the experiences of the 70-something couple.
I’ve managed non-strenuous hikes during trips to many state and national parks with my husband, but nothing compares to a two-week jeep trip in September 2016 to several Western states, beginning in Palo Duro Canyon in Texas. We are both in our 70s now, but he is more of an active boomer, in some ways, than I am. I’d rather be dancing at Jazzercise class than on a treadmill than climbing hills like he does! I told him it must be his Basque blood that enables him to hike and climb with a stamina and an ability I do not possess. He hiked with two grown sons to the highest point in Texas in recent years and is ready to go again.
He asked me, “Don’t you like nature?” I do; I’m in absolute awe of the beauty and wonder of nature wherever I go. What I don’t like is heights and long strenuous hikes … certainly not climbing. On a visit to Hawaii’s Waimea Canyon, I never understood why he and several visitors decided it was a great idea to stand close to the edge of a very high cliff for photography. One slip and you’d be rolling all the way to the Pacific, if you made it that far in one piece … doubtful. There was a perfectly good lookout for great photos. Same for many places in the world with barriers for safety, including this trip out west.
In Palo Duro, my husband suggested an easy two-mile “hike.” No problem until I realized near the end of the hike how hot the day had become. I was happy to find a snow cone truck. What? No Starbucks? I was grateful I hadn’t encountered any snakes either. Indiana Jones and I have that in common.
We’d hiked to a place with a very steep climb to a rock formation. I told him, “Fine, go ahead. I’ll sit at this picnic table,” delighted to be sitting in shade observing people. A man came by on his bike huffing and puffing. I prayed he wasn’t having a heart attack! Maybe it was AFIB like I have, which leaves me tired and on medication that slows heart rate.
Young people came by and asked me, “What’s up there?” I’m thinking … do I look like a tour guide?! I smiled and said, “My husband went up that trail and has never come back!” enjoying the response.
Then on to Santa Fe … NO HIKING! A parade and leisurely tourist walking. I really enjoy visiting old churches and historical places and have been known to shop … everywhere.
Utah’s national parks were crowded with foreign tourists that September. Thousands of photographers! Hiker-photographer tells me of an “easy hike” in Zion. What’s deceiving in certain photos: there are actually no guardrails all the way to the summit of that hike. In certain places, whether one is 9 or 90, one slip and you are most likely DEAD if you fall over the edge. Eventually I told him to go ahead the rest of the way as I waited in a protected area. I had lost my energy AND my courage.
In photos, one can see me with an oversized purse … laughable. I do NOT want a backpack. I’m not a hiker and don’t want hiking shoes; they are masculine and ugly. In ONE photo from the trip I look rested and serene – hiker-photographer, not so much. He had just hiked to a famous rock formation and was sweating. It was at Park Avenue in Arches National Park. Nope, no shopping on this Park Avenue, but a priceless beautiful view.
Sherrill Pool Elizondo graduated from Southwest Texas State University (now Texas State) with a degree in English and education. She is a sixth-generation Texan and interested in genealogy. She’s been an aspiring writer for over 40 years and is the proud parent of three sons and has six talented and remarkable grandchildren. Her stories were seen online at Boomer Café, including this one in 2019. She has other stories which can be found online at Bullock Texas History Museum, 70 Candles, Grand Magazine, Texas Escapes, Bridge of the gods Magazine in Oregon, and Boomer Magazine.
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