My typical modus operandi when I'm on a project is to hide in my room and feel sorry for myself. My goal with this project is to get out and challenge myself to try new things. On a tip from some clients I decided to check out a nearby Forest Service trail up to and around Thumb Butte, which looks like this:
Pretty, right? The trail was pretty simple though I wasn't used to the elevation and got pretty out of breath. I wasn't hiking with my husband, so I was perfectly fine sauntering along at a slow pace.
On the trail I started to have a bit of an anxiety attack about getting jump-attacked by a giant tarantula, which I assume happens to Arizona residents at least once every week or so. I was walking ridiculously slow and surveying my surroundings carefully when I came across THIS:
On the trail I started to have a bit of an anxiety attack about getting jump-attacked by a giant tarantula, which I assume happens to Arizona residents at least once every week or so. I was walking ridiculously slow and surveying my surroundings carefully when I came across THIS:
Needless to say there was much hyperventilating and yes, a little bit of crying. I managed to sort of hop-run past this little sonofabitch and made it up the trail relatively unscathed by scary tarantulas and cacti. Anyway it was a lovely, simple hike with beautiful views. And it was a small victory, but it was a victory nonetheless. I was proud of myself for getting out and doing something all by my lonesome. I still miss my Robbie though.
Here are some pictures for your enjoyment:
Here are some pictures for your enjoyment:
I will make sure to post some pictures from my trip to the Grand Canyon as well.
How is your week going, lovely people?
So pretty! And I'm so glad I'm not the only one who cries at the sight of spiders! Well done on pushing through it :)
ReplyDeleteI love the one with the cacti! So pretty. Sorry about the horrid spiders! I had some friends who lived in IL once, and it was common for them to get brown recluse in their house. I could never sleep when I visited. How do people live like that?!
ReplyDeletegood god, what a disgusting spider.
ReplyDeletedid you have some pepper spray with you or something? i'm less worried about arachnids that could be easily (or not so easily) stepped-on and more worried about creeper desert men who follow cute girls named caitlin through the wilderness.
huh.
i wonder if two people with anxiety disorders should be friends at all.
i feel like i should delete this comment and not post it because i want you to have fun and do what you want to do.
but also, i want you to live foreverrrrr.
aaaand... publish.
Oh my god, THAT EFFING SPIDER! Dude! You hop-ran past that thing? I think I'd be somewhere as high as I could be screaming, hah. And I am the spider killer in the house! Just... EEEEK!!! Holy CRAP. Okay, anyway...
ReplyDeleteI love hiking and that trail is GORGEOUS! How fun!!!
Looks like a beautiful place! Without the spider and all. Glad to hear you're trying to make the best of it!
ReplyDeleteack. you're so brave. just looking at that picture gives me shivers...
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you saw Thumb Butte! It's one of my favorites in Prescott. I haven't seen any tarantulas out here yet but now I know to worry about them! =P
ReplyDeleteWHAT! When you were like "attacked by a tarantula" I was like "Why is she making up a random fact like tarrantulas are there?" AND THEN YOU SAW ONE.
ReplyDeleteD'awwww spider! I actually really like spiders. I have been known to pull back the covers, see a spider scamper off, and still get into bed. Trantulas are actually really neat arachnids, and some are quite pretty.
ReplyDeleteBut I get the anxiety and fear of them. I used to get really anxious about walking sticks and parying mantises (mantisi?). I finally got sick of this irrational fear and anxiety and decided to watch YouTube videos and reading about them on Wiki and from people who keep them as pets. This really minimized my fear and anxiety. Not so much I will hold one, but I can look at them in aquariums and such. Maybe give it a go with tarantualas?
Gorgeous photos! That spider one made my skin crawl though -____-
ReplyDeleteoh i totally say "thumb butt"...because i may or may not be slightly immature and just to happen to think its hilarious! ;)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful pictures. <3 I'm glad you're stepping out of your element a little bit, and I'm also glad that you didn't get eaten by that disgusting spider!!
ReplyDeleteeeps...huge spiders scare me. but the photos are amazing and the scenery is breaktaking so it makes up for that little guy.
ReplyDeleteLooks like you're having a fabulous time! I hope the homesickness isn't getting the best of you- I know it does for me sometimes when I'm far away, but regardless, your pictures are beautiful and I can only imagine all the lovely stories you'll have when it's all said and done :)
ReplyDeleteYou take some amazing pictures and way to go being a hardcore hiker. I stumbled onto your blog but couldn't leave without telling you how much I liked your haircut as well.
ReplyDeleteAlison
Hi, there! I found your lovely little blog via Sometimes Sweet and am cracking up at these posts about Prescott. I actually live here, have hiked Thumb Butte at least a hundred times and have never, EVER seen a tarantula. Hilarious. Anyways I hope you are having a great time in my little hometown -I'll definitely be stopping in again!
ReplyDeleteugh, i hate spiders.
ReplyDeletei can't imagine coming upon one and almost getting attacked by the frickin' thing.
*shudder*
i came over from ladaisi's....and i kinda really like your blog! sweetness!