I still feel like a toddler that was dragged out of her playground kicking and screaming but am starting to make peace with the new environment. Today I went for my first run taking a trail that goes under the waterfall and through the famous meadows.
Yesterday I finally gather the courage to walk to the porch with a broom a tub of water and a roll of paper towels. I started by sweeping out all the black little balls that I assume were bat droppings and then washed the windows with a ton a soapy water until there were no traces of animal droppings and fluids on it. The house loo
ks much cleaner from outside now. The someday-to-be-our-home around the corner shows no signs of progress. building materials are sleeping outside with dead leafs on them and a thick coat of dust.
when I was done I finally gave into Martin’s request to take me to the famous “spider caves” he had been going to everyday with Eva and another little girl who lives here. it was a terrifying experience for an over 40 year-old woman. while climbing in, all of a sudden I was very much aware of the size of my butt, my lack of upper body strength, but more than anything I was aware of martin’s excitement and pride when walking me through the really tight corners of the cave. His excitement when I agreed to turn off the flashlight and be there in total darkness for a few seconds was palpable and he was so proud of himself for teaching me something. I am glad I did not know what this caves were before he took me there. Had I known, I would have told him and his sister they are not allowed to set foot in that rattle sneak habitat. He taught me to throw sticks ahead of you so anything that’s there will run away. If you ever visit the park you’d have to ask for the caves and go take a look. you’d be amazed by the narrow tunnels I went through. Watching Martin leading me made me think of role changes. Until now it had been me the lead explorer… now I am the follower.
Later we all headed down to El Portal – thetown right outside the park where a lot of folks who work in the park live- we were there for taco night. I was fascinated by the scene. A perfect mix of toddlers running wild, a highschool band playing with teenagers seating in the grass watching; a few 20 something kids checking each other out and a whole lot of us middle age and older people drinking cold beer in a hot summer day and wearing chunky “earthy” jewelry. Needless to say we had a great time and met a lot of interesting people wearing sandals and rainbow color t-shirts. On the way home we could still see the fire flames in the dark and close to home we saw our first bear!! a huge brown bear was crossing the road in no rush. It was beautiful… yet it made me more aware of the wilderness around us and how careful we have to be.
I slept like a baby after my taco and beer…
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