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Gadling goes camping (win free Coleman stuff!) {Gadling}
Aug 27th 2008 5:17PM Three girls, minimal camping gear & a flashflood.
In August 1991, two friends and I took a cross-country trip and decided to hike into Bandelier National Park to see the cliff-dwellings. We arrived just prior to sunset, registered at the ranger station and started our hike.
As we crossed the mesa, we noticed all the burnt-out trees, and thought that was "interesting." We found a couple trees close enough to hang our tarp and threw our three backbacks and sleeping bags beneath it.
Kelly decided to stay behind and write in her journal while Lisa and I forged ahead, down a 400 foot switchback trail, through a narrow canyon and up another 400 foot switchback so that we could see the "sacred lion circle." before dusk.
After we had seen the lions, Lisa wanted to walk further to see the pueblo. The wind suddenly gusted and the hairs on my head pricked up. I was filled with terror (without knowing why) but just knew instinctively that I needed to get down into the canyon , ASAP.
I retraced our steps while Lisa chose to stay. Within two minutes, a storm rushed in and a deluge began. By the time the first lightning struck, I was near the bottom of the canyon, seeking cover.
Now I understood why we had seen all the charred remains of trees atop the mesa. I had never been so sure that I was going to die in all my life. Shivering in the cold rain, huddled beneath a giant boulder, with no gear, I wondered how Lisa and Kelly were.
The storm went on for hours. With each blinding flash, deafening crack of lightning along with the shaking of the earth, I was sure that I was gong to die. All I could think of was that the headines would read "Three bodies found in Bandelier" and I was glad that we had signed in at the station so that at least they could notify our parents.
Eventually, the storm moved out and I began to venture from my safety nook. The lightning strikes were still close but it was nothing like it was during the storm with multiple hits all around. I knew that I needed dry clothing or I was going to experience hypothermia. I ran back up the trail which was difficult in the darkness, especially once I made it to the top of the mesa whose trail wasn't marked well to begin with.
When I arrived at our camp site, there was now a river that had formed and it had washed out our belongings. The only evidence of our stuff was the blue tarp flapping and barely fastened.
I thought to myself that Kelly was dead, washed away. I waded into the torrent to see if I could find her body. It was way-deeper than I could've imagined. The current was strong and pushed me down. I had no control over the situation and struggled to keep my head above water. This was the closest I had ever come to drowing and I never want to again.
I made it to the campsite and didn't find any body. I started yelling for Kelly and I heard something over the roar of the water and storm.
Miraculously, Kelly had wedged herself up on a rockledge some eight feet above, along with all three of our packs. (This was her first time camping)
Relieved that she too was alive, I told her that we need to hike out and get warm since all our belongings were wet. We needed to make it to the car with our dry clothes or we were going to be in trouble.
As we hiked out, the lightning was still falling all around. Each time one struck, Kelly froze and wouldn' t move because she was afraid that we would get hit.
Knowing that time was working against us, I lied and told her that as long as we kept moving, that we would be alright. "Great," I thought, "What happens when I'm the one who gets hit? Who's gonna convince her to keep striving towards the warm car in the parking lot?"
Amazingly enough, we made it to the start of the trail. My teeth had been chattering for at least four hours and I was anxious to fire up the car and blast the heat in August. With dry clothes from the trunk, we drove around the parking lot to increase the car's heat.
We wondered about Lisa as we fell asleep.
Two hours later, at dawn, we awoke to find Lisa walking towards the car, looking like death warmed over. We were not sure if she was a ghost or not.
We were practically speechless. "You okay, Lisa?"
"Uh-huh."
"Okay. Get in. Let's go."
And off we went. Driving like a bat out of hell to the nearest restaurant which was a nice diner in Jimez, New Mexico. We ate a lot and as we recovered from our night "camping," we were able to share each of our own personal surreal experiences of near-death.
There was a hot springs in that holler and we desperately wanted to know where it was, being that the three of us had felt cold to the bone.
A US military man who was eating at the table next to us, overheard our conversation and gave us directions. His squad was parachuting in and he had planned the jump so that he could visit the hot springs while they were on maneuvers.
Thus, after some delicious french toast, eggs and cups of coffee, we were naked and sitting in some really nice hot water on a mountainside with three pools that cascaded into the other amongst the rock outcroppings.
It was like a pleasant dream after such a nightmare and it certainly was the best camping experience I have ever had.
Plane Answers: Takeoff speeds, weights and lavatory drains {Gadling}
May 19th 2008 12:51AM That classical music sounds like what UAL uses onboard.
I laughed about RAMP throwing you your H2O bottle.
(When I worked RAMP at IAD, I would've been sure to have tossed it to ya the first time.)
Anyway. Reading your posts and watching yer vids make me nostalgic for the airport.
SIGH. At least I got to walk on some airplane wings today. That made my day.
G'day
Man Tries to Ditch Cheating Wife on eBay {Switched}
May 17th 2008 10:51PM Once upon a time, a woman was caught in adultery. The penalty was death. Her lover was not delivered, so he escaped, naked and relieved.
Her accusers desired her to be killed for her offense.
Her judge had mercy. "He who is without sin may cast the first stone.
None did.
Yeshua then said to her, "Neither do I condemn thee. Go and sin no more."
YHWH hates divorce. Marriage is until death, no matter what earthly courts and judges decree.
Yeshua also said, "He who marries a woman who is divorced, commits ADULTERY."
Thou shalt not commit adultery.
Our children deserve parents who are responsible and faithful.
Be at peace with all men. LOVE YOUR ENEMIES.
(even the ones in your own family)
shalom
