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Show The Hike to Rainbow Bridge 267 hear voices and recognized a party of young married people whom we'd seen previously near our own campsite. The Rainbow Bridge was their destination, too. "What about that dry canyon back there?" I asked them as they overtook me. "Are you sure this is the trail to the Bridge?" "No doubt about it. I've climbed it twice before," said a grin ning young stalwart. "You're about two-thirds up there, ma'am. Are you all right?" At my assent they went on, and I followed their easy trail, confidently, slowly, till I overtook them at a beautiful deep pool. There they had found our own early-morning party returning from their triumphant climb to the Bridge and indulging in a swim in the clear spring water. "What about that first dry canyon to the left?" I demanded. "I got lost there." "We took it too," they said. "But we soon found it led nowhere." So were the conflicting footprints explained. "Why didn't you leave a note?" I demanded crossly. "We didn't think anyone else would be as stupid as we were." "We saw your husband," they called back after me. "Leland went back with him." After all my attempts to spare Leland, there he was climbing again with Harold! "I guess It's none of my business," I decided. I'll just have to let these men do what they want." It wasn't long before I saw them both. Although I had fol lowed the younger party up the correct canyon, I was now walking quite alone and enjoying it immensely. The canyon had widened into two trails, and there, on the brush-covered side, sat Leland and Harold, eating their lunch and conversing hap "I won't disturb pily. them, I thought, "Ill just walk along this opposite trail, and when they see me, they'll shout." There was no shout. Did they see me? It didn't matter. I was far ahead of them now, and perhaps I might reach the top before Harold. What fun! Quickening my steps I met the strag glers from our first party. I was nearly there, they assured me. The rest of the climb was steep but not long. It was worth , |
