Dear Maia, Isaac and Virtual Wanderers,

Some trips are about awe – feeling part of something larger than ourselves. Deserts tend to take me to that space. Some trips are chemistry experiments. Or not. I think this is our first chemistry experiment.

The journey really started about a month ago when I began using Tymlos injections for my osteoporosis. Probably most people camping in tents aren’t taking Tymlos injections, and visa versa. I chose to invest in my bone health again, as I have for the past 20 years. That choice came with some adjustments to the camping routine because Tymlos needs to stay at “room temperature” once you start a new pen. Nature laughs – the desert swings 40 degrees from daytime highs to nighttime lows. That’s not room temperature.

I have been on injectables before and camped. But that was before the gadgets. Now there are special med thermoses and thermometers that send messages to your phone. In the old days, 20 years ago, I threw my med in the ice chest or little cig lighter insulin cooler and didn’t give it a second thought. Ignorance is bliss. Or, maybe it’s awe.

So, I was flustered packing for the short trip to Ridgway State Park because, since our first trip 2 weeks ago, I have gathered more gadgets. The first trip was before the thermometers, so I was just testing cooling gadgets without any feedback and the high temps were 20 degrees lower. Now, the array of gadgets take up half the room under the magic seat in the Fit. And, on top of that seat? The new foam mattress that rides in the only space left – the back passenger seat. I forgot my Canon camera and the Cimarron’s ant spray.

It took forever to set-up camp because I was distracted by thermometers. Eventually, the foam mattress and medications were in their place. I got the heat-anxious dogs settled with dinner. It was almost sunset when I got my soup through the JetBoil.

Then, it finally happened. I was cleaning up after dinner and I looked up to see the most gorgeous pink sky with outlines of pinker clouds. It was awe. It was letting go of the tasks and just looking up in wonder at the sky. It was brief, but it mattered.

The next day brought a short hike to the bridge near the town of Ridgway. We usually hike all the way to Dennis Weaver Memorial Park. But today, I am experimenting keeping my med in a damp Reebok sock in a carrier and I have no idea what it will do as the mercury climbs to 90+. And, it’s way too hot for the dogs. So, I’ll take the bridge and the fact that the thermos stayed under 70 degrees.

After that, lunch at a sidewalk cafe and back to the campsite to let the heat pass. It took forever to pass. The dogs slept. I tried to read my latest book, “Awe,” while monitoring the temperature inside the thermos. It’s a paradox. Your system can’t let go while also monitoring the temperature details. I wished I could take a dog nap.

Today was a new day, with more heat. And packing up everything that I packed in two days before. We stopped at the Visitor’s Center and went to the overlook. I called my insurance company about the next medication shipment when we were at the overlook. I wondered when the new med routine would fade into the background noise of life. I missed feeling the awe of nature this trip. But I learned a ton about keeping my med cool in the desert heat. That will help next time.

And, just like that, we are home to the routine. Next trip in about 10 days. Hopefully a little more Awe awaits.

Stay cool, GM Cathy Hartt