I'm not negative, I just like to plan for contingencies.

Kellie is always complaining that I’m too negative; I don’t agree.  It’s just that after almost 30 years in the navy, I’ve been conditioned to consider everything that can possibly go wrong in any situation and then prepare a plan for every contingency.  So, when Kellie wanted to hike to the bottom of the gorge in Ronda, Spain, today, I suggested that conditions might not be favorable for that sort trek, considering the increased probability for mudslides and flash floods due to the rain, not to mention the general discomfort that comes with being cold, wet, and irritated. Kellie wouldn’t listen to any of it, we were going hiking.

The walk started out pleasant enough, the rain had stopped and the initial part of the trail was paved with stone, but along the way, we saw parts of the path that were covered with dirt and rocks from previous mudslides. 

After we got about halfway down, the nice stone path turned into stone rubble. Then it started to rain again and I insisted that we stop for a while and evaluate the weather before continuing.  Kellie, clearly annoyed, sat down.  Within minutes, the rain abated and I acceded to her demands to press on.  It didn’t take long before the stone rubble we were treading upon disappeared and were slip sliding along a muddy rut.  While we were descending one particularly perilous stretch, I followed Kellie’s lead and grabbed some overhanging vines for stability.  Unfortunately, I didn’t grab the same batch of vines that Kellie used, mine were only weakly attached to the boulders above, and as I pulled on the vines, I found myself in a shower of dirt and rocks.  Luckily, the stones were no bigger than pebbles, and while I didn’t get hurt, it took forever to wash the debris from my hair.

We made it to the bottom unscathed, took some pictures, and began our ascent back to the town.  As we got moving, I thanked Kellie for pushing me to continue.  I told her that if I didn’t know so much, I wouldn’t constantly concern myself about all the things that could possibly go wrong.

“So, what you’re telling me,” Kellie said, “is that I should have you lobotomized.” 

(click pictures for larger images)