Day 11 | So Long, Death Valley!

Last night we were able to get ready for bed early and spent some time snuggling and praying together. It was much needed, and felt so good to be able to bring our concerns to the Lord and leave them there. We got to sleep early for once and were able to stay warmer through the night.

This morning we got up and started packing immediately. After having spent 24 hours in the pristine air, I had more energy and was able to make several trips to the car, helping to carry our laundry buckets, a gallon of water, and some bags of clothes. I had to stop to rest with the bigger items but it’s really quite impressive when I think of how disabled I was when I was still living in mold.

We made it to Stovepipe wells without running out of gas and were able to contact Sara Mattson, who agreed that we should try Elko next. Now we’re heading to Vegas so Brett can get some work done before we head to Elko tomorrow.

I can’t say I’m sad about leaving Death Valley. The 10 days we spent here have been incredibly difficult, but I don’t regret coming here either. I learned a lot during our time in Death Valley and for that I am grateful. It was definitely a crash course on advanced camping!

I learned that wearing sunscreen while camping in the desert is definitely not optional, especially if you’re as pale as Snow White. I learned that running water is a blessed miracle, that Brett is basically a superhero and that internet is more necessary to life than flushing toilets. 😉

The biggest thing I gained from Death Valley, however, was undeniable evidence that the locations effect exists and is a big player in my illness. This is the main reason I don’t regret our time here. Maybe I could have learned it some other way but it was so blatantly obvious here. The reactions upon entering civilization repeated themselves over and over again, as did the clearing of symptoms upon returning to my favorite spot in the high desert. This is invaluable information that will help me learn to manage my illness more effectively. It gives me the confidence I need to continue doing what looks and feels crazy sometimes. It’s not just a theory anymore. It works.

While I was in Death Valley I went through what other mold avoiders call “unmasking.” It’s the process that happens when you get clear enough from biotoxins that the body starts to recognize even small exposures more quickly. Reactions become instantaneous and there is a shift that happens towards acute symptoms rather than chronic. This is how the intensification phase begins. It’s not fun but it is definitely progress.

So to Death Valley I say, “Thank you so much for your valuable help but please don’t expect me to miss you.”

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