A Religious Experience

As we planned our recent trip to Bryce Canyon we looked at several places we would like to visit. I saw on the information website a list of the trails at Bryce for hiking and knew that the Bristlecone Trail would be one I had to do. I had never seen a Bristlecone Pine, I had only seen pictures in books and read about this tree which is one of the oldest living things on earth. For me to see a living organism that was here long before the pioneers came to Utah and maybe even before any european explores came to this continent was awe inspiring to me. Not for its beauty because the older they get they gnarlier they get,
but because they have lived so long I wanted to see these trees for myself and take pictures of them.

About six or seven years ago while I was riding my bike I started having trouble breathing, I didn't feel sick but I had been riding my bike several times a week, I had been hiking at least once a week and walking on days when I couldn't ride my bike or go for a hike and to all the sudden be short of breath concerned me. A few days later I did get sick and ended up in the hospital with pneumonia. Since that time my breathing has become more and more difficult. I have had pneumonia and been hospitalized several times. Last year I was taken to the hospital in an ambulance and spent a night undergoing tests to determine what was wrong and they found inflammation and palups in my lungs. At first they solemnly told me I might have cancer and I needed to be seen by the chief of pulmonary dept. The next day he came in an relieved my fears by saying he did not think I have cancer but there is definitely something going on. Later they did a bronchial scope and found evidence on hemorrhaging in my bronchia and that there was air trapping and inflammation. After many tests they can see there is a problem but until now have not been able to diagnose me with anything other than severe allergies that trigger flare ups of inflammation.

What does all of this have to do with Bryce Canyon and the Bristlecone Pines? I knew going in that the hike was going to be difficult for me, especially at the high altitude above 8000 feet, but I was determined to see the Bristlecone Pines. I took it slow and made it to about the halfway point where there was rest area with covered benches and a lookout point over Bryce Canyon Hoodoos. I was already feeling fatigued so I rested for about 10 minutes with Nery and Liza then decided to go on and they decided to go back the way we came in, I was on my own. The next 100 yards was up a fairly steep hill and I pushed myself to make it to the top without stopping to catch my breath. About half way up I was so out of breath I started to black out, I honesty thought I was going to die. I stopped and leaned against a tree and several hikers past me and paid no attention to me. I was really struggling to stay conscious when a wonderful young couple came to me very concerned and asked in a heavy french accent if they could help me. I told them I just needed to rest and I thought I would be alright. They stayed with me for a few minutes and I wasn't getting any better. The young lady took a spray bottle out of her backpack and sprayed ice cold water in my face. It really helped and brought me back to full consciousness. I guess I started to look better and they offered to stay with me and make sure I got out safely. But I told them I was better so they left me.

Slowly I made it up to the top of the hill and there they were the Bristlecone Pines I stayed for about 15 minutes and took many pictures which I will share here.

Why a religious experience? Two reasons, 1st my two Good Samaritans that stopped and showed compassion and concern for a total stranger while others past me by. Later further up the trail I stopped to take pictures of some birds and squirrels My Good Samaritans came back to check on me. I told them I was much better and that I was taking my time and taking pictures along the way. I have heard some ugly comments about French people, I will never believe it, I think these two saved my life on that trail by offering kindness and reviving me with the ice cold water. 2nd despite everything that happened and the difficulty I had in making it I was able to see the Bristlcone Pines.