Okay, so my hike didn't work out, big boo-hoo, but it's time to move on. The swelling has receded a lot and my knee has regained some range of motion. Soon the pain when I walk will most likely ease up and I will be fine...for normal pursuits.
One of the great positives of this trip has been meeting Lisa Smith and Nancy Reid of Big Blend Radio and Parks and Travel Magazine fame. They exceeded all my trail angel expectations, providing rides to and from the AZT and sharing stories of their interesting and far-ranging travels. A great experience with two really bright, talented humans.
Today on the way to Tucson from Patagonia, they stopped to show me the San Xavier Mission outside of town. Knowing I live in San Juan Bautista and that I hike frequently on the De Anza Trail there, they wanted me to see yet another Mission along Juan Bautista De Anza's exploration route from Mexico to the San Francisco Bay Area centuries ago. This mission looks massive from the outside, ornately decorated and imposing against the backdrop of the surrounding desert.
Inside, well, it's kind of odd, leaning toward the creepy. I don't get the feeling of being in a church so much as in the setting of a Fellini movie. What's going on here, X-man? Were you trying to scare me or inspire me or what?
After an initial feeling of circus horror sensory shock and house of mirrors vertigo, I settled on a response of grinning irreverence slash outright laughter. Not the usual tourist reaction or that of a pious religious enthusiast, I'm sure, but truthfully, I was amused.
Alfred Hitchcock would have a field day in here. I kept waiting for Anthony Quinn to show up, or Vincent Price, or Anthony Perkins, or maybe even Malcolm McDowell. Wooooo! Spooky!
You can only take just so much over-the-top, scare-the-natives stuff, so soon we transferred our attention to the Cam Boh Trail for a slow amble/hobble through some glorious chain cholla and other cacti. Pretty cool!
All in all, this was a great travel day with a terrific pair of fellow wanderers. Thanks, Lisa and Nancy, and good luck with your upcoming national tour!
Peace, Love, and Exploration,
Jim
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