Mike's Journal

Leaving Cedar City

And sometimes the unexpected moments are sublime; a brush between fingers that becomes a holding of hands; first kisses, fast friends, and hailstorms in the desert. Utah. Who would have guessed that The Great Sitting would spend a week in any one place? It's completely unexpected but wonderful.

While Jeff and Keri spent a week together in Canada celebrating the power of love I savored Southern Utah and time with friends old and new. Home base became the home of Erin, Lanie, and Addison, an absolutely amazing family! Jeff and I met Erin in a park outside one of the theatres on the Southern Utah University campus. She was on her way home from work at the Shakespeare Festival and stopped to say hello as Jeff and I sat reading and eating our lunch at a table outside the theatre. Erin had noticed our gear, and a warm question about where we were headed turned into an afternoon of conversation and an invitation to dinner. At the house I met Erin’s husband Lannie and their18mo old daughter Addison. Lannie loves bikes and in addition to casual introductions we talked about equipment and told stories late into the night.

The next morning Erin, Addison (“Addie”), Jeff and I hiked up Cedar Canyon along a creek set between steep canyon walls covered with foliage. It was amazing to be out of the desert and hear the sound of water. I submerged my head in the cold snowmelt and buried my fingers in sandy mud almost as fine as the moraine at base of the Aletch Glacier in Switzerland.

A visit with and old love that is by chance working in Southern Utah this summer filled the next day. The changes of personality and dynamics between people over time can be a good thing. Throughout the day I felt like there was a separation whithin my head between my emotions and intellect. I was at times reminded of the beauty in the love that we shared and the strength it once held while other times my mind was filled with rembrances that the relationship didn't work out. I’m grateful for what was but also happy to move on. We're both far more alive without limitation. Release.

Throughout the rest of the week there were more amazing hikes (I soaked my shoes three times); two Shakespeare shows: A Winter’s Tale and The Taming of the Shrew; time in the garden; many nights of conversation, bike rides with Lannie (I picked up those miles lost in the truck); and some time alone with Addison.

Yes, I babysat… And I have now successfully changed my first diaper! This is no small feat. Addison and I were having a great time picking raspberries in the garden when she started jumping around yelling, “Peeee-ewwww! Peeee-ewwww! Peeee-ewwww! Gross!” I smelled the poopy diaper but tried to deny it and convince her that everything was going to be OK. I said, “Addy, you don’t have a poopy diaper do you?” To which she said, “Yes! Peeee-ewwww! Peeee-ewwww! Peeee-ewwww!” Still I wasn’t sure (or didn’t want to be) so I suggested we go play with some toys. We played for a while but the smell was disgusting as Addison climbed over me chasing the Kitty; it was definitely time for a diaper change. We went up stairs; I put a towel down, brought out the wipes and got a clean diaper. I called everyone I could think of for secret tips or help but no one answered. I stalled for another twenty minutes and then focused. The shit was a mess. It smelled, there were whole black beans in there, and it was squished everywhere. I have to admit I did a pretty good job though. I had everything cleaned up within minutes (37 wipes) and a clean diaper on Addy. I now plan to put “Diaper changing” on all future resumes in the other relevant skills section.

This morning Jeff has returned and we prepare to head out to the road again. I woke up emotional and though I’m terribly excited to get back to the journey at hand I’m going to miss my new family here, and the sculptures of stone. This week has been a gift and though it wasn’t in the plans I wouldn’t have had it any other way.

We climb 5,000 feet today, up to Brian Head an 11,000ft summit. The road lies ahead. Another week before we hit Colorado I figure. It's still just the beginning.

Posted by Mike at July 2, 2004 12:02 PM