Good Times and Goblins

Some lavender to violet graded fluffy clouds floated above the canyon framed Needle spires that glowed bright orange and red in the rising morning sun as I made my way to Devil's Kitchen yesterday morning. It was at this moment, as I effortlessly glided over rock ledges and through sandy bottoms that I might have been the happiest I have been in a long time. The day before, my "Needles family" and I put in an intense afternoon, working together in a heroic effort to get an elderly man from a remote trail in the park to St. Mary's Hospital. Turns out we were rewarded with news that he just might survive from an acute myocardial infarction that could have taken his life. When I reached this individual I realized that not only was I working with my fellow Rangers but with some physically capable trail runners that were wearing Vasque Golden Leaf shirts. It is possibly one of the best feelings in the world to work together in harmony with people you trust to accomplish something this substantial. But it was more than this instance that made me so happy. It was an accumulation of years of knowing what I wanted but not quite achieving it, coming to an end. Being a Park Ranger has been more rewarding than I expected, in more ways than I can count. I was meant to be in the canyons of the southwest, it brings out the best in me.
So I am headed to Goblin Valley State Park for a 50K this weekend. I am looking forward to reuniting with my “running family” for a day. 50K should seem simple compared to this past week.