Death by Blister

So, we arrived at the rim of the Grand Canyon at about 7:30 PM on Thursday after travelling all day from DC to Phoenix and then, driving four hours to the canyon.  It was my first time hiking at night – EVER – and here I am, descending 4000 feet.  We took the Kaibab trail down and were guided by my friend’s friend who works at the Phantom Ranch.  I had successfully packed a light backpack.  My shoe choice was less successful…already within the first 15 minutes of the hike, I slipped and flew in the air and landed on my butt.  Uh oh…it was going to be a long night!

So, chacos are not advisable for the less-experienced hiker. I tried to break those shoes in, but nothing but the Grand Canyon could really toughen my feet to the 5.5 hour steep descent on a sand and gravel path.  Really, they could take some notes from China on the hiking path front ‘cause stone would be much better.  Anyway, I put on socks after the first ¼ of the mile and then, created a spiderwoman move in which I crouched and spread out my arms to keep balance going down.  Among some of the things I discovered on this trip, one of them was the complexity of my buttocks.  I felt sore in places that never occurred to me were made up of muscles! 

The worst of it though, was this enormous blister on the bottom of my foot.  Let me make this clear, we all had blisters – big ones.  But the problem with my blister was that it was on the bottom of my foot – right smack in the middle of the bottom of my foot next to where my arch flattens.  So, it was/is impossible to not walk on it.  And it hurts like hell.  So, I became a hobbling cliché down at the ranch as people kept making comments about annoying tourists who think they can get helicoptered out or hijack a mule because of blisters. 

I took it as an opportunity to enjoy the freezing cold water at the banks of the confluence of a creek and the Colorado River to numb my feet…lay in the sun…talk about cultural studies and Barbara Johnson...and drink Tecate, which really never tasted so delicious.  It was so wonderful!  Although, the relaxation of the sun and good company did not prevent me from being terrified of the hike up.  I responded that my stress level was at a 9 out of 10 before I went to bed Saturday night if that gives you any clue.

Luckily my friend’s friend wears the same size shoe as me and was amazingly generous by letting me wear her hiking shoes to hike up the canyon on Sunday.  We hiked up in 4.25 hours.  And it was actually fun!  It was hard, steep, and challenging…but it was FUN!  Luckily my heart is in a  lot better shape than my feet, so the cardio challenge of the ascent didn’t feel nearly as hard as the gripping, sliding, blistering descent. 

I finally uncovered this monster blister last night when I arrived in Flagstaff since I couldn’t understand why it wouldn’t heal after four days…and as I uncovered the skin, I discovered that it had birthed three other blisters inside of it.  Ouchee mama!  NO WONDER IT HURT SO BADLY!!!!  No one could explain it and everyone thought I was being a baby...even I thought that was possbile.  Like seriously, I really am suffering as I walk…even with padding, mole skin and an ace bandage protecting it.  In this moment, I’m really hoping my feet will heal somehow.

I did come up with a song to sing this wound to health, and it seemed to work the night before the hike out of the canyon since that was the best day the blister had.  Ready to sing with me?  Whoever remembers My Buddy & Kid Sister will remember the tune…just replace the words “My blister… My blister…  Wherever I go, he goes!  My blister.  My blister.  My blister and me!”

I know that no one ever died from a blister, but it sure is a morale killer.  I did survive, and I even enjoyed it!  And it wasn't as hard as the marathon I did in 2005...but next to that, it is the hardest physical activity I've ever done.  I'm also so glad to have experienced this truly awesome part of our national landscape and to have done so with an amazing friend who I celebrate 10 years of friendship with this year!