Stuck in the Mud

I just returned from the Navajo Nation in Arizona where I conducted my thesis research. Going on a nice lorry ride seemed like an integral component to my research. An afternoon spent with the remaining Anglos on the Reservation bumping along the wash, crashing through the river. The canyon walls radiated the warm southwest red and the air was spingly crisp. What I didn't plan on was getting wet. One would think you could keep your feet dry. Well so much for that. Dave our driver managed to bury the lorry to the frame and wedged the drop stair in the back into the mud. As the odd man out I got to lift it back up. Cold muddy hands--but wait there is more. In order to lift this heavy metal stair back up I step out into the river, placing my feet temptingly on a small spit of sand. I thrust the stair up and another woman latches it in place. The shifting weight throws my balance and dry feet firmly into the river. Wet shoes, wet socks, wet pants. Sometimes you just have to laugh at your predicament.