To Dana Nature Reserve we went and hiking for the day! The car drove to Al Qadisiya at the edge of the plateau looking into deep, long ravine. The picture could only give us a glimpse of how far it went. Syked...we didn’t care. We just wanted to do it to take in the beautiful site of stones set in red, beige, and green hues rising over us as we walked, meandering when we did.

The beginning set the stage with its steep decline. Another RO wasn’t prepared for it so the two of us had to assist her along that section but all of our knees shook when it seemed to continue forever only to stop for a rest under one of the few shaded trees on the trail. Don’t even think about watering holes. I saw one and wouldn’t drink from it if even if my life depended on it. I can definitely see where people have died hiking this terrain without a guide on longer sections for the land is unforgiving. I think a young American did so this week near Petra. Luckily, we prepared for it with our water and knew we would be fine. For every turn brought a new treasure to admire.

We continued on when the trail sort of flattened out but continued to go up and down as well. The heat seared us with its 100+ degrees. We had water but it became too warm even though we forced ourselves to drink it. All of this was worth the natural view. Stones accompanied us. Deep pink flowered bushes met us along the ravine. We felt so small, infinitesimal, and non-consequential. Amman city life is city life but this was nature…real, and meaningful. Birds chirped and life is base. No more. No less. We lost sight of our starting point from up above knowing we would finish.

Others also took the trail even though we didn’t see anyone for hours. The RO in the lead continuously referred to the converse shoes we followed. Blue arrows spray painted on rocks made sure we took the right trail with some paralleling each other for awhile. One time, though, it ended and we moved around a bit before finding it again. We kept going. Bedouins tents neared and we felt close to the end. Wanting to finish, we declined their generous offers of tea while admiring their lifestyles. Their tents opened with the wind showing a simple living by grazing, sharing family, and partaking in life. Kids played soccer in the ravine. A man hurriedly ran down the hill with his donkey full of water and we stopped in amazement at the speed for we went nowhere near that pace.

Later in the day, we felt every turn was the end only to see another turn. Soon, the lodge called us to find out our location and we said soon only to make the next turn and see the lodge. Talk about exhilaration about completing this hike. We did it! The lodge neared and so did rest.

The hotel, based upon environmental standards, greeted us warmly. Cold water galore, a good shower, and wonderful food set us at ease. No electricity in the lodge. Candles made on site guided us. I accidentally bumped into the candle chandelier when taking photos and spent the rest of the night de-candling my hair. Too funny. I used the same lanterns as they when living in China with its smells reminding me of living by kerosene and candles for two years, missing it much. Laying on the roof to see the clear stars only made it better. We all gasped when seeing shooting stars and pointed to the satellites moving by us. The wind calmed us even more. What an ending to an awesome day!