The Leading Lady is dead...

The Leading Lady is gone...dead...

It was on the Mexican border.  We were hiking a canyon, the Santa Elena, an easy 2 mile out and back. 

To the left is Mexico, to the right is Windy Hill...with only the roiled Rio Grande separating the two.

It was at the end of the west park road in Big Bend.  

It could have been the end of the world.  

I had no idea it was the end for the Leading Lady...




The book said it was safe, the Ranger said it was safe, people at the trailhead said it was safe.

Now, the Leading Lady is gone...life will never be the same...




I committed my life to protecting her, my vow was to die if required.

Love, cherish and protect till death.  It's the vow I've taken seriously for 43 years.

I've given my best for her, put her first, her needs above mine...

On this day, I was trying my hardest, but there was little I could do.



Here's how it happened, as clearly as I can recall.



On flat hikes I let her lead, to set the pace with her shorter stride striking the cadence.  The Indians did the same when women and children were in the group.

On tougher sections I go ahead, helping her with a hand up or down as needed.

I try to stay on the down slope side as a block or anchor, a safety net should a slip happen.

She is the meaning to my life...protect at all costs.



There was nothing I could do on this day...

The trail was just along the river edge, they said...


Easy, they said...


So up we climbed...

Maybe we should have turned back...

Hand over hand, fingers and toes fighting to hold on.

Up, up, up...

"...Easy..." they said.

...against a trail slanted...no - predisposed - to feed trespassers to the hungry river waiting below.

Those tiny speck people on the lower face of the rock wall...

All part of the plot...

...with the Leading Lady the mark.



Surely if they can do it, we can too...

The book said it was easy...




And we did finally reach the far end of the trail.

Scenic, in a special way, not a huge vista, but one must know the history behind the Santa Elena canyon...considered to be unpassable for a very long time.

Mexico to the left, freedom to the right.

Austin, Crockett and Bowie...Sam Houston and the Texians...

With "Remember the Alamo..." whispering from the canyon walls.

The ribbon of green has washed away the river of red which flowed to earn that freedom.





And the Leading Lady...

In thinking back, it happened on the trail heading back.

I can't pinpoint the exact spot.

I think it was here, somewhere along this section...near where the hiker in blue is crouched...or the one in black. 

It was here that the Leading Lady met her end.

The Leading Lady was always a bit afraid...afraid of heights, concerned with slipping, fearful of the edges...limited confidence...holding on tight...




John Muir said "...In every walk with nature, one receives far more than what he seeks... "



It was in this section that the Leading Lady died...and the Wild Woman was born.

Still emerging, still finding her way, but with a difference...

No trail too fearful, no challenge too daring.

Caution with confidence.



RIP Leading Lady...

Long live "Wonder Woman"!




Let the adventure continue...