Italiana bellissima

In my imagination, she was a former model in Italy...

I couldn’t believe my eyes. Standing at the trailhead where the hikes range from 1.6 miles to 7.2 miles in length, I watched a middle-aged couple head from the parking area onto the gravel trail access. Actually, I hardly saw HIM, because SHE was far too fascinating.

Of course her footwear caught my eye. Who in their right mind wears four-inch heels for hiking?!?! The denim mini-skirt, off-the-shoulders white top, designer sunglasses, jewelry, and perfectly-coifed hairdo completed the look. This is NOT your typical Arches NP outfit. I nearly asked her if I could take her photograph, but restrained myself.

Over the next thirty minutes or so I was discussing lizards animatedly with visitors who stopped at my table, but I couldn’t get her out of my mind. I kept hoping she’d give up on the high-heel hike and return, because now I was quite certain that I would stop at nothing to get her picture. Alas. It was not to be.

Note SHADOW of heels. They definitely are 4".

My shift was over and I ambled to my car with all my lizardly goods. It would be a 40-minute drive back to the visitor center, time to wind down and process my day. As I pulled out, past the trailhead, THEY APPEARED. Jumping out of my car, I walked quickly to them and greeted them. They spoke not a word of English, so I managed to convey my need for a photo because of her great beauty. “Italiana!” she laughed. “Italiana bellissima,” I replied, and THAT got me my photo.

According to other hikers who passed her on the trail (smiling and shaking their heads), she had to keep stopping to empty the sand from her sandals. Gotta love those Italians. Totally.

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I’m headed to a new national park for me: Capitol Reef. See you in a few days.