Sistah Pat

 I have 69 days to get ready for Lower Calf Creek Falls.  That means a 3 mile hike in Escalante State Monument in blistering heat to be able to come out of the desert and into a pristine pool of icy water in the middle of nowhere.  I remember the last time I did this hike.  It was eight years ago, before I ruined my ankles, before I gained 50 pounds, and before I lost any semblance of muscle tone and fitness.  At that time, it was a difficult hike but well worth it to arrive at this magnificent site.  It was 110 degrees and the hike was made difficult because I kept sinking in the sand.  This summer, I’m taking the grandkids and I’m determined to complete this hike again.  That means I have to get really intense with dieting and exercising.  This weekend, I want to lay the groundwork by developing specific short term goals and laying out a map of how to get there.