Back to Top

Attempted crisis management: hunkering down in the desert

On an impulse I drove south.
South for days.
I came to the lowest place I could think of: Death Valley.
After all, if one is at the lowest place, any move one makes has to be up! There’s just nowhere lower to go.
So I’ve come here to stay for a few days and sort myself out.

The soundlessness is huge. It’s heavy.
So is the air at 282ft below sea level, and that heaviness rushes into my lungs.
I can finally take a deep breath. All the way without that horrible feeling of not being able to breathe.

The enormity of Death Valley is overwhelming.
Miles and miles of sedimentary deposits, huge granite canyons, sandstone, sand, salt…

The sensation here is unlike anything in the forest.
Some sort of power eminates from this harsh, unforgiving vastness.

Hiking here is nothing like the plodding down a green and wet forest path that I’m used to.
Here the danger of being out of cell range and trapped by the heat without adequate supplies is very real.
But the rhythmic dry crunch of the grit and sand and salt underfoot is comforting.

I’m going to stay here for a while.

I’m happy in this silence.

Read: The Wisdom of Donkeys by Andy Merrifield
Listened to: Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen

Comments: 9

  • May 16, 2019
    reply

    Hi Veronica-
    I am so sorry you are going through a very difficult time right now. Wish I could give you a big hug and say everything is going to be ok! I hope you find peace in this beautiful area surrounded by quiet moments. Thinking of you!

  • Judith

    May 16, 2019
    reply

    I’m SOOO glad you’re following your instincts and doing what you need to do. If I could
    (relevant details not required) I’d be out of here like a bat out of he*l. Be safe, be free,
    be peaceful.

  • May 16, 2019
    reply

    I pray that you find manna here, and clarity. xoxo

  • Robert Frank Gasch

    May 16, 2019
    reply

    Hope that you are not along there? Hope that Robert is with you? Do be careful and plenty of water. I am so proud that you are my friend, Veronica. Love always….Frank

  • May 17, 2019
    reply

    You’re doing this by yourself? Be careful, be alert. And I hope you realise how lucky you are to be alive. To be able to do this. To have a home and caring family to go back to.

  • Kent Faver

    May 17, 2019
    reply

    Beautiful words and pictures.

  • May 17, 2019
    reply

    Water for Elephants is a good story … now try Where the Crawdads Sing .. and please make sure you’ve got enough water on this adventure

  • Michelle

    May 19, 2019
    reply

    I’m not sure what’s happening in your life but I hope you are feeling better.

  • May 26, 2019
    reply

    I hope you are okay; i am not active blog wise;but all over the place otherwise; I will hold your well being in the inner folds of my heart,

Leave a reply