Comfort Zone

Last weekend, Herself had the pleasure of another desert adventure with her Beloved and her cherished friend.  It was the maiden voyage for the Suzuki Samurai, too.  It performed well and Herself's Beloved was quite pleased.  She is very happy for him.

The three of them went out to Aden Crater, New Mexico, also known as the "Sloth Hole" because the remains of an ancient ground sloth were found at the botttom of a fumarole hole in the crater.  Although they had first thought it would be similar to Kilbourne Hole, it was, in fact, vastly different.  The landscape was moonlike, with lava rocks, crevasses, holes, and fascinating geologic formations.  It was quite windy.  The three of them hiked about, poked in corners and pits, and looked under and around and through lava tubes and cracks.  There was one small cave-like crack in particular that they explored more thoroughly.  Though it was not terribly deep, it descended under the surface and required a flashlight and some squeezing through narrow passageways to access it. 

Herself has difficulty with enclosed spaces.  Though she is not quite phobic, the idea of crawling through tight rock formations is frightening to her.  The thought of getting stuck positively nauseates her.  Nevertheless, that day she stepped out of her comfort zone, and crawled down into the depths of that little cave. 

She was not going to miss the opportunity to investigate such an interesting place, particularly when her two companions appeared to be enjoying it so much. She saw that they were at ease and could get in and out without difficulty.  So, with the security of knowing that her Beloved and her friend were there, one below-ground and one above-ground, she ventured forth.  And she was not afraid.

It pleases her enormously to have had this adventure.  To be so very ALIVE.  She is grateful.