[Idyllchat] Eleanor, one tough lady

[Sonny Culverhouse]

Bill, thanks for sharing that experience.  A tour of our national parks is 
one or two of the in-states trips that we want to take once we've decided 
that our overseas traveling days are over; we've always had this notion 
that traveling via our own vehicle may be more doable once we give up on 
fighting the airways due to wear of time on us.  The "mule" trip is one 
you've just taught me to beware of, although I've heard of wonderful 
experiences down into the Grand Canyon.  Regardless of our plans, I truly 
thank you for sharing Eleanor's "mule" episode, and happy traveling to you 
both very soon.   .....sonny in Virginia


51 PM 10/16/2006 -0400, Bill K......r wrote:
>Some of you are already aware that in July my wife Eleanor was injured 
>falling from a mule while on a half day ride at Yosemite National 
>Park.  The inexperienced guides asked "Can you get back on the mule?".  No 
>one checked her for injuries.  No one radioed ahead what happened.  I was 
>not allowed to dismount to help.  After another hour of riding down rugged 
>terrain and almost falling 3-4 more times, she insisted on being left on 
>the trail.  I was supposed to return with her crutches.  She was left with 
>a bottle of water and two apples (from me, not the guides) in 102 ºF 
>heat.  An hour later our group arrived back at the stable.  It was obvious 
>that even if I reached her, there was no way she would be able to walk 
>out.  So I immediately requested that Park Rescue Search and Rescue be 
>called.  Unaware that Search and Rescue was called, Eleanor slowly made 
>her way down rugged terrain so she could meet me when I came back with her 
>crutches.  While I waited back at the stable, park rangers radioed that 
>she had been sighted a mile away from where we left her.  The people at 
>the stable remarked that she is "one tough lady".  We left her on the 
>trail about 11:20am.  At about 3:30pm park rangers found her and 
>transported her to the medical clinic.
>
>She suffered no broken bones, but had a painful leg muscle strain as well 
>as strained forearm muscles.  She suffered more injury from getting back 
>on the mule and hanging on for another hour than from the actual fall.  I 
>sent Yosemite Park authorities a three page letter listing safety 
>precautions that they should implement to prevent this from happening 
>again. She has recovered from the muscle injury.  However, a third degree 
>burn from a heating pad (to try and alleviate the pain at night) is still 
>healing.
>
>We will be traveling again, but no more mule or horseback riding.  I know 
>this is not an untour topic.  I just wanted everyone to know what happened.
>
>Bill Kover
>Swiss Heartland Untour 2002, 2004
>
>
>
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