OlHipie (Tamiloo's DH) took a spectacular tumble yesterday.

Well two, actually.

The first was on the way to Emerald Pools in Zion Nat'l Park (So. Utah).

The mostly paved path is against the side of a mountain -- windy and very hilly. Common Ground, who operates on Federal funds, had planned this trip for about 18 of us MSers and were there to assist.

I missed the first fall -- by the time I caught up, he was back in his chair. Craig insisted he was okay, but it was upsetting to everyone.

Then on the return trip he had a giant fall into a gully -- about 10-12 feet down! His electric W/C had run out of battery juice, so it was in neutral (I think?) The little gal helping him just could not hold back the weight of both the chair and Craig in this steep area. Anyway, he rolled twice with his W/C before stopping at the bottom of this drainage ditch.

I don't know how he managed to avoid serious injury. Maybe because he flopped down like a rag doll instead of stiffening up to grab onto something?

There he lay in a ditch of dried fallen leaves. It took a team of 5 of us to haul him out. Good thing he was wearing a belt, b/c that's what we grabbed onto. Others had his arms, and the one and only non-MS guy (Jerry Stanger, DH of Diane who has MS) packed him up and out on his back. He was the hero of the day!

Jerry plopped Craig carefully into his W/C and, after a collective sigh of relief, we peppered him with questions. Tammy dusted him off and we tried to pick all the leaves out of his hair. You could tell he was shaken, but not too rattled: he wondered where his glasses were.

So we took some sticks to look thru the leaves and there they were! One lens was missing, but close by.

By the time the park rangers caught up with our party, it was over. Craig swore all his parts were in working order and did not opt for the ambulance experience.

Phoned Tammy this morning and the OlHipie does have some scrapes and bruises, but seems to be okay. May have a broken rib, but you know men: won't get an x-ray!

I told Craig he had an angel on his shoulder! Her name is Tamiloo.

They will travel about 7 hours to get back home to northern Utah today (basically, the entire length of the state), uneventfully I hope!

Oh my! I can only imagine the fear Craig was feeling and all of you! I am happy to hear he is OK but flustered he wouldn't see a doctor. Men can be stubborn eh? If you speak with Tammy tell her Jim and I are praying Craig heals quickly.

Craig rocks and rolls! You animal, Craig! I hope it's not serious, but what a great story! By the time the grandkids are telling it to theirs, you will have fallen into the Grand Canyon and have been rescued by rafters and mules.

Glad he's okay but agree that the rib should get checked!

Good grief!! He sounds tougher than I am....that would have taken me out of commission for quite a while. Men just aren't accustomed to complaining about their injuries even if they are in pain. My husband used to be the same way - could fall off a ladder, land on his back and hop right up and say "I'm OK!". But let him have a cold.....that would take him out for a week!!

I hope he feels better soon!!

What doesnt this man do???? Speed skier and stunt wheel chair driver

Heal quickly and feel better soon.

That is one of my big fears when I go to certain parks and recreation areas around here.

There's a local, privately owned forest in Bellevue (town where Offutt AFB is located, and about 12 miles form me) I've gone down there to walk on their raised paths (whole thing is handicap accessible...I'm not handicapped, but it's a huge walking path that looks like a really long winding deck...several miles long if you walk all the paths)

At one point, it's right next to a bluff that looks down on the Missouri river. I'm terrified of that part of the path. The rail was missing last time I was there. (some stupid kids snuck into the forest and vandalized it)

I've had nightmares of walking by that point and falling. (it's probably an 80 foot drop or more...I'm horrible at estimating distance)

Just hearing the story about him falling 10 - 12 feet scares the crap out of me...did the wheelchair go with him? I'd be scared to death, not just falling, but having a wheelchair following me down...eeek!

Craig is one tough guy. So glad the injuries weren't serious.

What's next Craig??? Skydiving?? I'm hoping your'e not too stiff and sore today. Take care and you too, Tam!

LOL! Thats what I was thinking!! He sure 'gets around'!

"Now for my next trick........"

Sorry to hear about the tumbles that Craig took.

I hope lovely memories of the trip over-ride those of the falls.

lol cindy and we aren't all stubborn sandy ok well maybe we are, thanks rochelle let tam know my thoughts and prayers are with tam and the adventure seeker, I am glad there were no serious injuries, he is very lucky, again thanks for letting us know