Moab, Day 3
On day 3, we decided to hit a few of the canyons north of town. The rains had closed many of the trails, so we opted for Poison Spider Mesa. The payoff at the end of the trail is a grand arch that frames Moab down in the valley.
About an hour in the trail, one of our friends busted the front suspension, and we were forced to send a party back into town for parts. The trail was so extreme that there was no way to tow him out, so my friend & I decided to hike up further while we waited for the guys to get back.
Poison Spider Mesa was named after a tale about a local family. Back at the turn of the century, this family was traveling along the route with their 7 year old daughter. Somewhere along the trail, the girl encountered a spider, fell ill, & died. The family buried her on top of the canyon, her gravesite overlooking an incredible view of the mountains in the distance. The grave still remains, and adventurers of Moab all stop & pay their respects. A small sandstone headrest is engraved with the name Mary Jane Francis.
When we reached the site, an Australian biker was placing something on her grave.
“Just a little mojo…” she smiled. She nodded goodbye, and left M & I alone with Mary Jane.
As I looked at the stone, I was overcome with a sense of sadness. How amazingly horrible it must of been for her mother to have to leave her there in a desert canyon. I’m quite sure that had it been me, and that was my child, I would be lying there next to her. M & I stood silently for a moment in front of the small grave lined with rocks. A bright yellow rubber ducky and a purple bear lay on top among beads, pennies, and other trinkets. I wished I had something, anything to contribute. But I didn’t, so I figured I could at least share her story with the rest of the world.
So this post is for Mary Jane, the brave little adventurer who has touched my heart along the Poison Spider Mesa.
I have never wanted to hold my daughter so tightly.