Patty's Recovery Challenge

Three (3) weeks after falling and injuring my right wrist, I feel fully recovered.  Our break, from "pedaling the parks" has not been without excitement however.

Prior to Patty's Vestibular Neurectomy (cutting the balance nerves) surgery, on December 20th, 2013, she challenged herself.  She wanted, to recovery well enough, to hike to the bottom of the Grand Canyon.  Since room reservations, at the bottom of the Canyon, needed to be made thirteen (13) months in advance, we were put on a timetable.  This fulfilled one of the first rules of goal making: "set a start and completion date." 

The surgery eliminated all balance nerves on the right side of her body.  Consequently, after surgery, Patty was unable to walk on her own.  This fulfilled an additional rule of goal making: "make it challenging."

Another rule of goal making is to: "always reach beyond your grasp."  Well this too was on our score card.  Until June of this year, we had never hiked more than a mile or two at one time.

Last week, August 17th - 19th, she completed her challenge.  I attended for moral support and to help record the event.  It was not without many trials and tribulations however.

The hike down started Sunday morning at 6:30 A.M. We anticipated the seven (7) mile hike to take six (6) hours.  We were carrying packs that contained our clothes, food, and water.  The beginning of the trail was a gradual descent, with ample shade and cool temperatures.  Once the sun peaked over the canyon, the hike became a "survival in a furnace."  There was NO visible shade, NO water stations, and the temperature peaked above 115 degrees.  What shade we did find, was in crevices of rocks, under over-hanging rocks, or under an outhouse ramp. The hike took ten and a half hours, and we ran short of water.  We both had visions of flies attacking our eyes and buzzards circling above.

Once we reached the bottom, all was well.  There was a soothing shower, cold water, cold beer, and a comfy bed. There was even a fast flowing stream to sit in and rest our sore, tired, broken down bodies.  Our stay at the Phantom Ranch was two (2) nights, one (1) day, and very relaxing.

Hiking, out of the canyon, began at 5:30 A.M. on Tuesday morning.  It also began well.  The ten (10) mile hike was slated to take 6 - 8 hours.  Although longer, it was a more gentle grade, with plenty of shade and several water stops.  The first two (2) hours were quite easy, then the rain started.  It was gentle and quite refreshing at first, but it picked up steam and continued for six (6) hours.  Once the rain settled in, we were hiking in mud and slippery conditions.  The rain not only soaked us but our packs as well, which gained much weight as we ascended the canyon.

Despite the challenges, we were both quite pleased when we reached the top.  Accessing our aches and pains, Patty stated that this was probably a "one and done" adventure. She also stated that "hiking the Canyon was the best, bad thing she had ever done."

Suffering through Patty's Meniere's Disease has challenged us mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually.  Setting and accomplishing a goal, such as this, has strengthened all of these elements.  It is good to see her once again, enjoying life to its fullest and taking a few risks along the way.

Hopefully, a cure can be found for this devastating disease so that others do not have to take medical detours to enjoy what life has to offer.  Please go to the website at www.givetoiowa.org/burkey and give what you can.

Beginning the Hike Down



Patty "early on" in Happy Hiking Mode

Note the Abundance of Shade in Crevice

Resting under Outhouse at 115 Degrees

Waiting for a Cool Down

These Outhouse Visitors Had "Extra" Water

We crossed the Colorado River on this Hanging Bridge

Finally Down - Resting before Phantom Ranch

Cooling in the Stream with Pamela and Randall

Chilling on the "Silver" Exit Bridge

Smart Way to Travel

Waiting out the Rain with Tony and Suzanne

Back on Top - Wet but Alive

What's to See at the Bottom????

Part of Trails - Why go Down????

I-29 Corridor

After my injury, I was a little "gun shy" about attempting any rides for a while.  If all goes as planned, the left wrist is not necessarily needed.  But, if another fall takes place, the hand would be a better "contact point" than a shoulder or head. Neither would be good.

Driving South on I-29, from South Dakota, I decided to check out Stone State Park in Riverside, Iowa.  "If the road was smooth and somewhat flat, maybe I would venture a trial run."  Well, it was and I did.  I rode three (3) more parks that day, and completed the I-29 Corridor.  I was able to find smooth and somewhat flat in each of the parks, and I proceeded with extra caution.  Both Patty and I were relieved, after completing the rides, and decided to take a couple weeks off to let the injury heal.  Two (2) weeks after the fall, the wrist is still badly bruised. 

Preparation Canyon State Park, the last of these four (4) rides, took special patience to find.  It was quite isolated, and the main road to get there was closed.  Getting directions from several people, all of which were different, took us down several gravel roads, some more than once.  Upon arrival, however, it appeared worth it.  The park was rather small, but nestled in the Loess Hill, with trees everywhere. 

Completing these last four (4) miles puts the total parks completed at eighty-five(85), only ten (10) to go.  The last parks are located near the Okoboji Lake area, and may require only one more weekend to complete. We will attempt to complete this initial mission in two (2) weeks.  Hopefully, this will be after my wrist heals and before Labor Day.

Riverside, Iowa

Salix, Iowa

"Flat and Somewhat Smooth"

Onawa, Iowa

Note the Wrist Guards, the left is doubled

Moorhead, Iowa

Being extra cautious!!!!!!

Loess Hills in Preparation Canyon

First Casualty

Saturday, July 22nd, was a beautiful day.  Patty and I decided to make an extended loop around Southwest Iowa and ride in the six (6) parks that were remaining in that area.  The first park, Lake of Three Fires in Bedford, appeared to be a good ride.  However, my foot slipped from the pedal while attempting a turn on a downhill.  The result was a quick fall to "Mother Earth," and a very painful injury to my left wrist.  After a quick evaluation of all other extremities and a bleeding leg, I decided to continue, since the fall took place only a quarter mile into the ride.  The rest of the ride was successful, so we decided to proceed with our original plan.

The next three (3) rides went very well, and we were able to view some very nice State Parks, and log several miles on our van.   Because of the regular rains and the mild temperatures, Iowa is presently covered in very lush green fields of alfalfa, beans, and corn, which made the drive more enjoyable.  We also made a stop to pick up ice packs for my wrist.

The fifth park of the day was closed.  Recent flooding of the nearby Missouri River and high winds have made Wilson Island "off limits."  Fortunately, it was located adjacent  to a National Wildlife Refuge, and we were able to log our mile on a very nice paved road.  The road ventured into Nebraska at one point, so we recorded this mile using two (2) states.

The sixth ride of the day was going very well until 200 yards from the finish.  My unicycle caught on a large rock and threw me to the ground.  Once again, I landed on the previously injured left wrist.  Now the injury became more painful.  But being determined, I finished the last 200 yards before accessing the damage.  The wrist was quite sore, and I was glad that we had completed our intended rides.

With ice on my wrist, Patty and I made our way back to Des Moines.  The plan for the day was a complete success, but the injury was a bit of a downer.  After logging nearly 500 miles on the van, six (6) miles on the unicycle and trike, and completing the 81st park, we were hoping the wrist wasn't broken.  After calling in a radiologist, the wrist had no fractures, but was extremely sprained.  Hopefully, this will not hold up the rides for long.  With only fourteen (14) parks left, we are getting anxious to complete this first step in our mission.



Bedford, Iowa

Beginning of fall - not good!



Not a happy landing!

Post fall --- looking good!!!! And a nice lake!



Stanton, Iowa



Sydney. Iowa



Just like the Pied Piper!!!!



Council Bluffs, Iowa

Missouri Valley, Iowa



Result of recent flooding and high winds!

Substitute Mile - Desota National Wildlife Refuge 



Lewis, Iowa

Sharing the road before the last fall!!!!!

I'm glad I didn't fall from this!!!!