Chapter 4: Excursion to Broken Bow Arch

Friday morning found the troop in the kitchen, wondering how long of a hike it would be to Broken Bow Arch, further up Willow Gulch. Looking at the map, I figured it would be about 6 miles round trip, and said so to DesertBound. She can vouch for me. Somehow, Map-Faker Bob convinced the rest of the group that it would be about a 3 mile round trip, hence, that was what they were physically and mentally prepared for. (Can you see what’s coming?) So, Sayyadina and Dreampacker remained at base camp to watch all the kids, (thanks Mom!) and Uncle Kevin loaded Carol, Stan, Elaine, LawCrosse, Dominick, DesertBound, Michex, and myself in the motor boat, while "the Crew" (Pete(r ), and “the Captain” rode the wave runners. Yes, this is when Captain “didn’t see the boat” and dowsed us all. He’s lucky my camera was in its dry bag or the Captain may have had a mutiny on his hands. We waved farewell to the shore and its occupants, and headed up the gulch to the trail head. After tying the boat and wave runners to the trees, okay-- shrubs, we piled out and began our hike...

Above: This is the trailhead, or trailend...depending which way you're hiking. The sand was velvety, so most of us removed our footwear and went barefoot. Aaahhh.......

Above: Look! Its me ! Photo by DesertBound.

Above: Desertbound, Carol, LawCrosse, Uncle Kevin, and Trailsweeper Bob.

Above: Ah. So cute. Kevin and Carol. Photo by Elaine.

Above: Hiking in a swimsuit is actually quite fun. Lovin' the barefoot thing.

Above: Captain, comtemplating Darwin's theory of Natural Selection, while Crew and Michex wonder if Captain will remove his genes from the "pool".

Above: Leaking Rock. And people were standing under the drips, catching them on their tongues. Hhmm.

Above: Under Leaking Rock...

Above: Maidenhair Ferns. Adiantum (maidenhair fern) The genus name comes from the Greek, meaning "not wetting", referring to the fronds' ability to shed water without becoming wet. They generally prefer humus-rich, moist, well-drained sites, ranging from bottomland soils to vertical rock walls. Many species are especially known for growing on rock walls around waterfalls and water seepage areas. This species (above) is probably the California Maiden Hair (Adiantum jordanii), the western United States version.

"Leaves of three, let it be...leaves of four, eat some more!"

Above: Poison ivy (Toxicodendron radicans or formerly Rhus toxicodendron or Rhus radicans) is a plant in the family Anacardiaceae. The name is sometimes spelled "Poison-ivy" to indicate with the hyphen that the plant is not a true Ivy or Hedera. It is a woody vine that is well known for its ability to produce urushiol, a skin irritant that causes an itching rash for most people, technically known as urushiol-induced contact dermatitis. Found normally in wooded areas, especially along edge areas, poison ivy grows vigorously throughout much of North America, including all states except Alaska. It also grows in exposed rocky areas and in open fields and disturbed areas. The plants can grow as a shrub up to about 1.2 meters (4 ft) tall, as a groundcover 10-25 centimeters (4-10 in) high, or as a climbing vine on various supports. Older vines on substantial supports send out lateral branches that may at first be mistaken for tree limbs.
(My husband is a horticulturist.) Gesundheit.

Above: Relax like you mean it! Desertbound and Michex taking a break in nature's "hot tub", after coming through the corridor of narrows behind them.

Above: Broken Bow Arch.

Above: DesertBound near the Alcove across from the arch.

Above: Captain carrying Dominick who had blistered feet. Photo by Elaine.

Above: Michex looking on as I gingerly inch my way into the water. The waterfall, which we played in on the way up and down, was divine.

Above: Moose-magnet Bob. Post heart-attack looks pretty good, eh?

Above: And...the end! The group loading into the boat to get back to the houseboat...photo by Elaine.

And look! Happy, smiling faces, after 7 MILES, (not three). I googled it. It was 7 miles. Photo by Desertbound.