Use It Or Lose It
This post is mostly a note to myself. I’ve been sedentary up here on the mountain since arriving 9 days ago. I’ve barely moved a muscle.
So this afternoon I hiked about a mile up the mountain. Not much, but something, anything, is better than nothing. In my time at OHI, I learned that our calves are considered our second hearts since they pump blood back up to the heart with every step. That knowledge broadened my perspective on walking significantly. Walking, or hiking in this case, is very valuable.
The hike not only extended my life a bit, it gave me a new visual perspective on my little mountain home…
In what is kind of the opposite of a use-it-or-lose-it scenario, I also took my first shower today since arriving here. As noted, I’d neglected to fill my fresh water tank so I’ve been very stingy with water. I thought I’d become pretty swell at water conservation back home in Cave Creek, but I was fooling myself.
I arrived with some very little amount of water in the tank and I’ve since filled it with 12 gallons purchased in the nearby town of Tonto Basin. Thinking shower, I did a little research the other day about the number of gallons used in a typical one. The news wasn’t very encouraging. Even for a typical RV shower where shower heads nearly all include on-off switches these days for conservation, it ranged from 2 gallons to 10 gallons and more per shower. Since my 12 gallons (+ a bit) must also be used for dishwashing, hand & face washing, teeth brushing and toilet flushing – conserving as much as possible along the way of course – I hesitated until today.
I feel so much better. I may even try it once more before departing on Wednesday or Thursday.
Speaking of which, the hike got me thinking about going down the mountain with those thousands of pounds of trailer behind be. I was slipping and sliding more than I liked coming up. Hoping for the best.
The hike also reminded me that this whole area was on fire back in August. It was called the Salt Fire, named for the Salt River. (Think horses Debbie.) Of course, Cave Creek was also on fire this past summer. Several times, including twice within a scary distance from my house.
(Yes, that’s Amazon Prime delivering a package mid fire.)
Good thing global warming is a hoax.
One Response to “Use It Or Lose It”
Here is to second hearts! Lord knows we dont normally put our first hearts to optimal use ; )
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