INDIAN SUMMER.

I guess I am "addicted" like dad says. Again I have traveled back to Jackson Hole, WY, my "home base" of the past 2 years with hopes to recover in the heights of its mountains, heal in the calm of its waters and reach clarity in the refuge of its purple and golden valleys. 

The chilly winds begin to blow here but the hot sun faithfully warms our spirits as we all wish for an Indian Summer. No ceremonial snow dances around the fire yet as we hint to the weather gods for just a little more time to run barefoot, float Flat Creek, hike the Middle Teton, mountain bike the Old Teton Pass or rope the night away at the rodeo grounds in Wilson. 

The 3 month anniversary of my legendary fall in Cuzco is right around the bend. On July 1st, I suffered compression fractures to my thoracic spine at T4, T5 and T6. On that morning, as my feet kicked up and I was suspended over an ancient Inca stairway, I surrendered my fate and knew that this is it. Breaking my back was a defining moment of my life.  

I was not able to call out for help, the wind had been knocked out of me and I was in more excruciating pain than I'd ever known. It was just me and my guardian angels until my cousin Anne-Marie ran to my rescue. Together we both witnessed the wiggling of my fingers and toes and instantly the worst day of my life became the best. I knew that when I was ready, I would rise and walk and hug and run again and make love, too. You know, all of the big things us healthy people take for granted every single day. 

Halfway into my predicted recovery time, it is easy to see that the single ice cream bar I was given to ice my back (only in Peru) in many ways foreshadowed the unpredictable humor and unprecedented joy that would follow this injury. When life hands you an ice cream bar, you better bet I'm going to take a bite! So there was my best friend and me, making light of my pitiful state before shoving the sacrificial treat under my back to counter the inflammation. 

Then to my delight arrived Bruno and Andrea with all 10 of their musical instruments. I met this dashing couple from Brazil and Austria weeks before at one of Andrea's hang shows and had been their most resilient fan ever since. Their songs rescued my shocked body and troubled mind for hours as all 4 of us laughed and took long deep breaths and gave thanks for saving grace and friends. Thank God I was not alone. Perhaps this music also foreshadowed the music to come... 

Days and weeks and months have passed since that last day in Cuzco. I have pushed the limits of my body and mind like never before and accomplished seemingly impossible things for a gal with a broken back. This has been a season of transitions. A transition home after sailing, my pilgrimage through South America and back country explorations, a transition towards health through discipline and therapy after brokenness, a transition of my heart into life as a single woman after an incredible relationship's end. 

I am so thankful for all of the love and support in my life. Tis overflowing and given me reason for my positive outlook and courage to push through even when I don't know exactly where I'm headed.

Sending visions of yellow cottonwoods by the river, paths covered with fallen aspen leaves, and stick shift driving lessons in an old civilian jeep through the national park, 

Catherine