Song inspiration for today:

Give Me One Reason (Tracy Chapman, 1995)

Give me one reason to stay here
And I’ll turn right back around
Give me one reason to stay here
And I’ll turn right back around

Data is just an aberration of wishful thinking. When hiking in the vicinity of Mount Charleston, NV the measuring gods who create trail maps decided simple math is a bore and humans need unplanned challenges…

New math replaced bore math, 3 miles is recorded as 1,  1000′ of elevation is ‘400’, and for extra giddy ‘moderately difficult’ is code for ‘most difficult’.  Feeling brilliant at messing with the humans, the measuring gods further  suggested reusing leftover avalanche detonation signs from the nearby ski area.  And just like that, the North Loop trail was officially mapped.

With these measuring techniques unbeknownst to us, the ‘don’t touch’ unexploded explosives sign  gave us pause.  Sloth sent a ‘Give Me One Reason To Be Here’ in the direction of Hurry, and Hurry ignored, focusing on breathing what little air was available.  The trail was lined with dirt, rocks, tree roots, steep ascents and switchbacks. Once Sloth determined the Trail was not lined with non-detonated explosives, and Hurry satisfied that all were still breathing, pixie dust returned to the ever-thinning air, can-do replaced whiskey-tango foxtrot, and pleasant words were spoken again!

As we gained elevation and the trail pitched steeper, it was time for a data check and at this point we realized we should have concluded our climb, data speaking.  While the views of the surrounding mountains were stunning, we had more distance to cover. So we continued climbing.  And more climbing. More switchbacks. More elevation. Finally, we reached the summit, twice as many miles, nearly three times the elevation, data whatever- and somehow finding smiles for the camera, thrilled to have avoided avalanche detonation devices, staring at the mountain views, chatting with the other hikers, and excited for what lay ahead — i.e. hiking downhill to Base camp in record time…

Moving along post hike, The Family took in another form of Las Vegas wildlife, and meandered the strip, landing at Mad Apple – a Cirque du Soleil production.  Thoroughly mesmerized by the skill of the musicians, the talent of the acrobatic performers, the comedians and magicians.  In one day we experienced both nature and humans showcasing their finest!

Many thanks for traveling with us this far, stay tuned for more adventures from the West… and a return to Route 66.

Photo Journal: North Loop Trail

Photo Journal: Mad Apple & The Strip

Peace, luv, out
Jane -n- Jill