Dropping off the face of the Earth

Short Story: 1100 Mile Two-Day Drive to Death Valley, 1 picture.

It was supposed to be a two-day photo workshop + a week shooting for my new book project. Instead it turns into a 40’+ fall off a cliff around midnight. I awake to find myself lying in a heap next to rocks and bushes. The last thing I remembered was sleeping in my truck. A bic Lighter in my pocket and creosote bush mix nicly to keep me warm. 4:00am blindly stumble down the desert wash to a place where I can re-climb hill back to road & truck. Next morning med.checked by ranger. Met client and with huge disappiontment, busted wrist & ribs, forced to cancel and return drive to Bay Area.

Today is my first day home from the hospital after being treated and observed for a subdural hematoma. Typing with cast is a pain.

All I can say is that I’m very lucky. I could have easily found myself at the bottom in a situtation much physically worse than where I am now.

I’m glad to be home. More to come as I’m able and consciousness allows.

Photo caption: The spot showing the half burned bush that kept me warm for hours through the cold desert night. Somewhere near there are my glasses. Sorry the photo looks blurry, but it was hard taking a picture the next morning holding a D2x with a busted wrist – but I had to get a picture, just so I can remember…