Hiking in Mutrah

I couldn't find anyone who wanted me to come shovel mud for them so we decided to go on a hike Sunday morning instead.  We couldn't go far and wadi's were out, or so we thought. We went for a hike in Mutrah that is normally dry.  

Driving the 10 minutes to the start we saw streets lined with workers clearing the downed trees and limbs. It was really heart-breaking. Trees are so hard to grow here, they have to be watered constantly. The probably never get deeply rooted. Muscat works so hard to add green to the landscape and it was just devastated.

Many roads were still covered in mud, or in this case, stone and rubble that washed down the mountain.

A few roads were completely closed. We ended up with a 45 minute ride home trying to find an open route. We had to give up on getting juices. We actually felt a bad about being in the way here. Mostly we tried to stay out of the way of the clean up crew but here we dead ended.

The very beginning of the hike are cement or stone laid steps. It's a lot of straight up. We prepped the kids, telling them this was going to be the worst part if they can put on all their brave for the beginning. That was very accurate. Going in we were doubting ourselves. It was REALLY humid even though it wasn't overly hot, probably only 90ish.  We were incredibly sweaty.

When we neared the top there was a little breeze though. It's a beautiful view of the sea in Mutrah. 

Even though it was hard, it was interesting enough to keep these two entertained. You had to watch your footing a bit. I think they really enjoy the trail markers.

This one did give me a heart-attack moment. I just can't get over my terror of her falling off the top of a mountain. Her heart loves climbing and she's confident.

There was an abandoned house or building or village of some sort.

There are small caves all through the mountains here. 

And then there was water. I've recently read a book about water in the desert. It's called 'The Secret Knowledge of Water'. It's really inspiring. I highly recommend the writing. My thoughts on water here are with new eyes. The hurricane was devastating to many. Even here we reached the end of this wadi and the mud was thick, clearing having been washed violently from the tops of the mountains and the far reaches of the wadi. And yet, the water gave life to these plants who may never have seen such a deluge. The water running clean and clear through the wadi that is normally dry was full of frog eggs that looked like pearl necklaces. Those frogs got to work quickly. I have no idea how many little creatures have been waiting for just such a resurrection from their dehydrated state. It certainly brought life to our little hiking group who were no longer hot and dry.

The mud at the end where the dam blocked the path of the water, which must've risen about 6-8 ft high, held innumerable wild watermelon vines. I'm curious to know if these watermelons will crack and burst with that surge of fluid.

We had to hike out the way we came and as you can see we're incredibly gross and sweaty but everyone enjoyed the hike with the extra excitement of the water.