After receiving my gift at Turquoise Canyon, I continue walking down the mountain. I am noticing more footprints on the path than I recall seeing in the past - animal and human! I wonder if Krisanga and Samantha have been hiking here to hold space with me? I am warmed by the thought of my friends supporting my journey.These footprints could also belong to "migrant workers" who travel this trail. Before I began my journey, I was aware of two fears: wild animal attacks and interactions with drug traffickers. Now I no longer fear. My faith is strong, especially after feeling my intense experience of love's power this morning at the waterfall.
As I am contemplating my beautiful transformations of fear into my faith, I hear footsteps behind me. I turn to see whose feet I am hearing, and feel my lips spread wide into a wide, penetrating...smile! I turn around, smiling, and see two Mexican men dressed in jeans and sweatshirts. They have no backpacks or equipment. I continue smiling, then I wave hello, and offer a greeting.
The first man approaches me and says, "Hello. My name is Alejandro." Thank goodness he speaks English!
"Hello Alejandro. My name is Krystalle." Alejandro asks if I live close by. I tell him I am hiking home, and I still have a long journey ahead of me. As these words come from my heart, my head wonders how safe it is to tell these two men that I am far from home.
He introduces me to his friend Alberto and tells me they have work in the mountains here. Then he asks how long I have been in the mountains. "Three days."
"With no tent?"
"Yes. I have been sleeping under the stars and it has been one of the most amazing experiences of my life."
"Have you seen anyone else here?"
"No. Just you two."
Then Alejandro asks me if I smoke. I hold back a giggle and tell him no. I find it amusingly ironic that he asked me if I smoke when I am a live-food-light-bearing-water-priestess who is now on my 4th day of my Vision Quest in the desert. Of course, he has no way of knowing this!
Then he asks, "Do you want to smoke?"
"No, thank you. I am ready to go home now."
"OK. Bye."
With that, Alejadro and Alberto walk back up the mountain. I continue towards home, reflecting on how friendly our conversation has been. I am at peace.
I imagine it is 9:30 or 10am now. Samantha agreed to meet me on the trail around 11am and hike back with me. I am at the crossroads where I can either go up a mountain or around by way of the creek. I desire to meet Samantha on the trail, and I choose to know which route she is taking. I decide to wait here for a while. Regardless of which route she takes, we will certainly meet here at the crossroads.
I sit on a large rock and take my backpack off. Both of my water bottles are half-full. This is probably enough water to get me back to the car. I rest for a while and drink in the warm sun. Ahhh - I feel amazingly alive.
After a while, I receive my inner guidance to continue my journey. Where is Samantha? I call for her to see if she is near enough to hear my voice. No answer. I call again - and hear silence.
I have faith in my inner guidance, so I continue hiking along the creek. I decide to draw large arrows in the sand, depicting my journey. If Samantha finds them she will see where I am going. I am also enjoying drawing arrows in the sand! I giggle as I recognize I feel as though I am on a treasure hunt - or in an Indiana Jones movie. Perhaps I am the treasure!
I hike down the creek to my turn-off point. From here, I am required to follow my inner guidance and knowing. The trail to the car is not clearly marked. The last time I hiked here with a group of friends, our directives were to cross over two mountain ridges, go to the top of the third, and look for the trail there.
Keeping these guidelines in mind, I follow my inner guidance. Periodically I call for Samantha to see if she is in range of my voice, and I continue my journey towards the trailhead.
Wow - I am really appreciating my inner guidance right now! I keep finding small trails and pathways that allow my journey to be easier and more graceful than my past ventures through this area.
I also notice that listening to my inner guidance and hiking up and down two mountain ridges requires my full presence - here and now! I am fully engaged with my journey home, so when a question of "I wonder where Samantha is?" comes in, I stop, give a couple of identifying vocal calls, listen, then continue - fully focused and present - with my journey.
I am aware that I can direct my energy towards what-if's, fear about whether Samantha is okay,
and concern about finding my way back, or I can direct all of my energy to my journey home and my faith that all is in Divine Order. I opt for my Divine Faith!Finally I reach the third mountain ridge. I know I am where I desire to be. I recognize it by its feel and its familiar scenery. I turn to look behind me and congratulate myself for coming this far. This is certainly an amazing journey!
From this ridge I know there is a trail to follow down the steep hillside, then up another very steep, rocky ridge, to the place where we park our cars...to where I'm assuming Samantha's car is parked. My next task is to find the trail. I am surprised I have yet to see Samantha.
I walk along the mountain ridge until I find the trail down. My body is physically tired. I drank all of my water and have about three ounces of my green drink/bee pollen tonic left. The nearest water is back at the creek. Where is Samantha? Breathe, Krystalle...
I choose to focus on my breath and remain fully present as I walk with care down the steep, rocky hill side. Whew! I feel a sense of relief as I reach the bottom - mainly from my shaky legs! Now I have a stretch of relatively flat, well-shaded area to traverse before my final big climb up to the car. I enjoy this flat, shaded part of the hike. I greet the large cottonwood and oak trees with gratitude for their shade and shelter from the increasing wind. I am in a beautiful valley!
I round a corner and stop in my tracks. Am I seeing clearly? Is this an illusion? A big smile spreads across my face. About 50 yards in front of me is Samantha's car! She drove down that crazy steep rocky hill so I have reprieve from hiking up it! YES! I am so very blessed! In my internal reality I am turning somersaults and jumping from treetop to treetop! My physical body simply walks warily and gratefully towards the car, my smile beaming from ear to ear.
I am so happy to know that Samantha is here somewhere! I call to see if she is within reach of my voice... I hear silence. Well, at least I know she is here somewhere! She will be back to her car at some point - perhaps in a few minutes...or a few hours.
I am grateful for my opportunity to rest. I take a sip of my green drink, lay my poncho on the ground, and close my eyes. Within about 10 minutes I hear Samantha's call. I call back. I hear her call again, and see her run around the same corner I rounded earlier! As soon as she sees me, she yells, "You scared the crap out of me - Thank you!"
We both laugh and share a great hug. We talk about what an amazing exercise of faith this has been for both of us. When we are satisfied that we are both well, safe, and secure, I point excitedly to her car and say, "Thank you for driving down here. I am so grateful!"
I am also grateful it is Samantha who is here during this part of my journey. I can feel she has been holding a solid resonant vobration of faith. Even though our meeting is not happening in accordance with our conscious plan, all is in Divine Order for us to return home safely. Thank you Samantha - I love you!
Stay Tuned for Part IX: My Loving Community
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