Our latest trip in Howie (our home of wheels) was back to the desert. After a quick visit with family in the Palm Springs area, we headed to Anza Borrego and Joshua Tree to explore and enjoy the desert. Nothing is better for the soul than wide open spaces and fresh air.

When my husband suggested a hike to Slot Canyon (in Anza Borrego), I was ready to go. Hiking is one of my favorite activities. No two trails are ever the same, you’re surrounded by beauty and peacefulness, and it’s a great workout.

My excitement began to fade as we made our way down to the canyon floor. The hike (which is only a mile loop) required squeezing through narrow boulder passages and navigating tight spaces. The experience was quite claustrophobic and I immediately began to panic.  As my heart raced, thoughts meandered to scary places. What if there’s an earthquake? What if I get stuck between the rocks? How soon before help arrives? Yikes, there’s no cell phone service!  What if I just can’t do it? And so on, and so on. Fear is a dangerous thing. Once you give it a bit of life, it can suffocate all healthy, rational thought.  

My husband picked up on my uneasiness (which wasn’t difficult) and reassured me that we didn’t have to go far, and could stop at any time. While it was tempting, I didn’t want to ruin our afternoon without an honest attempt. So, I took a deep breath and did two things that I find very helpful when faced with fear. The first is to have a mantra that I can silently repeat to myself. In this situation, it was simple: Be brave, embrace the beauty. The second is to simply keep moving. Don’t stop, don’t pause to overthink, just keep moving.  Forward motion is essential even if it’s just baby steps.  

As we moved further down the trail, we encountered an elderly couple, who looked to be in their seventies. Fully dressed in outdoor gear and carrying trekking poles, they helped each other slowly navigate the climbing challenges. It was clear that mobility was an issue, but it didn’t stop them for a moment. They were in it together and fully enjoying the experience. I was so inspired and immediately felt my fear fade away. Without even knowing it, they provided inspiration and the unspoken assurance that everything was okay. It’s always a gift to encounter seniors who defy all the negative stereotypes on aging.

Once we reached the open trail and was able to look to the sky, I was so excited and proud. Quite honestly, it wasn’t a difficult hike, but in the moment of fear, it felt insurmountable. Had we turned around, I wouldn’t have experienced the beautiful rock formations, the walls that looked like sandcastles, the rays of sunlight filtering to the canyon floor, or more importantly, the joy of it all.