Day #6 Feeling High & Low

After filling up on gas and taking a morning swim in Wide Hollow Reservoir – a lake surrounded by petrified forrests – I drifted into Bryce Canyon National Park on a spontaneous decision.

When driving into the park, I had to stop every other mile to take pictures. Bright red sandstone towers, shaped like bizarre sugar drops or ice cones, inbetween ancient-looking pine trees. Red rock arches were the road is passing under. I could have cried – Utah has to be one of the most beautiful places on earth.

I did the Fairyland Loop Trail, a 12.2 miles hike which went through more amazing red rock spikes, dunes, pines and bristle cones. I began to understand that not even a full year would be enough to explore every corner of this magical place. But I‘m happy with my mix of detailled planning vs. spur-of-the-moment decisions where to go and what to do… it‘s almost uncanny how I think sometimes „now a place to swim would be nice!“ – and a lake pops up right in front of me.

The second half of the day was the not-so-fun part: I had difficulty finishing the trail upwards as the pain in my abdomen kept growing. I‘ve been feeling a dull and stabbing pain in the last couple of months in my belly – it kept returning and going away, but my doctors couldn‘t figure out what it was.

I decided to go to Kane County Hospital in Kanab. This was the best and the most expensive hospital visit I‘ve ever had. The nurses were extremely friendly and everyone was working fast and efficiently to rule out the causes of the pain – another thank you to the awesome staff ❤️ ! It became clear that I have ovary cysts on both sides (which should go away on their own) and also (to my surprise) I was pretty dehydrated – after two hours of treatment and a hefty bill, I got discharged.

Feeling a bit desperate and annoyed at the oncoming insurance paperwork, I sat defeated by the hospital entrance. That’s when I got offered a shower and place to sleep by Estella, an ER first responder / fire fighter who was assisting the nurses. Her home is a farm which she shares with her roommate Meghann – they are super sweet and helpful people who fed me a delicious home-cooked meal and ice-cold sangria. I haven’t eaten in two or three days because of the pain, so it was very comforting after this shock. I was desperate as I thought I couldn‘t continue my travel or at least not go hiking without being able to eat – when you hike 10 miles or more every day, you need to put calories in your body.

My new friends took me on a walk through the backyard dunes together with the two dogs and the pig „Sissy“ – watching her waddle after us and grunt and squeal was hilarious.

It was a lovely evening and I was happy and grateful to be with someone so welcoming.