By Sherry E Engler

What about the importance of shoes? Being a hiking enthusiast and a daily walker, I comprehended the imperativeness of having good, supportive shoes about a year ago, and wanted to share my experience in case it will help others.

My left ankle hurt and swelled every day. What? Every day on my daily walk of three to four miles, I often gimped in the last mile and a half because of pain. Because of my regiment of walking every day for years and years, I just couldn’t imagine what was happening. Granted, I had a bad horse wreck quite a few years prior which badly injured my left foot and ankle, but it had healed. So, what was going on?  

On my hikes, I noticed going uphill or downhill was more painful than level ground. And that’s when self-doctoring started. In my mind, if I took a dose of ibuprofen an hour before walking, surely that would help with pain and swelling. After trying this remedy for a few weeks with no improvement, I found it necessary to visit my physician.

What? Maybe arthritis? Surely, I am too, too young! A very valid question my physician asked next was, “What kind of shoes are you wearing?” In that moment, I thought of my old, old sneakers I loved. We had been on many, many trips together. We had climbed hills and mountains together. We had trekked through mountain streams, and desert sands together. I loved those old, battered sneakers so much, I named them, “Rambles”. How many times had I enthusiastically said, “Let me get Rambles on and we will stride!”

While I understand naming walking shoes is a bit unique, in my defense, I felt so comfortable wearing Rambles. When I placed Rambles on my feet, I confidently knew my toes and feet would not hurt or become blistered. Rambles and I were compatible after years and years of sharing our exploring adventures, hiking miles and miles, and trekking all over the Southwest. However, my mistake lay with not realizing how the years of walking had taken their toll on Rambles. Rambles had little to no tread on the bottoms. Rambles had doubled in duty by being my favorite shoes to wear when yard working, completing home improvement projects, and arduous outside activities.  

My mind exploded with emotions as I reflected on the question, “What kind of shoes are you wearing?” The realization of Rambles being inadequate was enormous. At that moment, I knew I needed more supportive and durable footwear.

My physician suggested shoes specifically recommended for walking and hiking, with adequate support soles and gripping treads. She named over many outdoor specialty companies which carry many types of outdoor shoes qualified for individual tastes. She also recommended icing my ankle every night to help with the swelling and pain.

Reluctantly, I have retired Rambles. Indeed, my new durable hiking shoes of a few months have helped my ankle and my durability to my satisfaction. Shoes are IMPORTANT! Be sure to wear the correct shoes for the specified activity. Keep in mind waterproof hiking boots if you are going to be wading in streams. Hopefully, this is a helpful hint to all the Rambles lovers.

While you are trying out your new hiking shoes, you may want to try some of the exquisite trails in Oak Creek Canyon, north of Sedona. Carved by Father Time and Mother Nature, the canyon boasts layer formations, dating back 45 million years. The sedimentary rocks were carved and deposited dating from the Pennsylvanian geologic subperiod, up to the Kaibab Formation which predates the dinosaur era. Interestingly, the layers are fascinating, spanning from the oldest red rock of the Supai Group to the sandstone dune of an ocean shore in the Toroweap Formation, to the limestone of the Kaibab Formation forming the top layer on the Mogollon Rim. Fascinating and majestic!

You may also want to see Indian Gardens, a marker of the remnants of the first settler, Jim Thompson, in 1876 or 1877. This area was inhabited many, many years prior by indigenous peoples, who grew crops of corn and squash in the fields cultivated in the canyon. Historical, captivating, and gorgeous are descriptions of this landmark; however, to breathe the fresh air, view the remnants of history, and see the landscape is an experience that whispers past voices of hard work, endurance, and fortitude. Feel the past as you explore!

Slide Rock is a popular destination in the summertime, as Oak Creek soothes many travelers, hot from the scorching summer heat with cool, flowing water. A recreational site for all to enjoy and explore, the creek continues to carve reformation for the delight of many. 

When exploring Oak Creek Canyon, it is easy to reflect upon rainfall and snow accumulations of the winter months which help to prevent raging forest fires in the summer. Thankfully, in Rim Country this last month, we have accumulated inches of snow and rain for the nourishment and hydration of our precious forests. Although snow days hinder my walking miles, I am grateful for the gift of precious precipitation in hopes of avoiding disastrous summer forest fires in our pristinely grand majestic geographical wonders like Oak Creek Canyon.

To explore Oak Creek Canyon, from Phoenix, travel north on I-17 to Rimrock, turn north on State Route 179, then exit onto N State Route 89A, which winds through the canyon; a trip of approximately two hours. From Flagstaff, travel south on 89A for approximately thirty-five minutes. Oak Creek Canyon lies northeast of Sedona.

May the rain and snow keep falling in the high country; may your travels be safe and joyous; and may you retire any shoes like Rambles for the sake of your walking health. From our family to yours, happy adventures!