A Fine Tumble

Desert Willow

Dr. K, the Heelers and I drove to the end of Geothermal Drive, parked the CR-V at the western gate and hiked up the road a piece before turning south to reach the northernmost east/west dirt road.  Just after ascending the steepest climb I stepped awkwardly on a rock and lost my balance.

Tripping forward I tried in vain to get my legs and feet in front of my torso to break my fall, but in doing so propelled myself forward more quickly.  I realized immediately I was going down.  My old Aikido training kicked in and I rolled left, took the brunt of the impact on my folded left arm and shoulder--thereby avoiding damage to my camera inside its case--and continued the maneuver across my back.  Unfortunately I was carrying a daypack with gear inside, and I felt the collision with the ground most forcefully there.

Afterward, I got up slowly with Dr. K's help.  My left shoulder hurt badly, but I could move my arm without pain.  My right-side rib cage felt sore, and it got worse during the rest of the trek which I refused to abbreviate.  Miraculously there wasn't a speck of dirt on my camera case, proving my instinct to protect its contents had paid off.

Now (early afternoon) I feel pretty stiff and sore, mostly in the area of my ribs.  I've taken several ibuprofens to alleviate the pain.  I don't think I broke anything, but I sure as hell bruised myself up pretty good.  The cuts and scrapes on my arms and legs have already begun to heal.

This and the next 5:  Heelers

From the northernmost east/west dirt road

West of Tortugas Mountain

Yucca and observatory

Dr. K, Willow and Frio

Br'er Rabbit's credit rating

This and the next:  Desert Willow flowers and buds

This and the next 2:  Desert Bird of Paradise

At home in the desert

Stages