Removing Cholla Spines — Images by kenne
Jumping Cholla
When it happens,
You swear it just
Jumped at you.
The trail is clear,
Not a lot of brush
Or cactus nearby,
And it happens –
The attach of the
Jumping cholla.
Cholla spines
Penetrate your hand,
Disbelief succumbing to pain.
Inexperienced hikers
Ponder what to do
Hoping not to make
A bad situation worse.
Experienced hikers
Are ready with a comb.
Prepared hikers.
Like a good scout,
Also have ointment handy.
Cactus spines are
Experience builders –
“Spine me once . . .”
— kenne
Related articles
- Cholla: Most evilest cactus or best bird’s nest ever? (polizeros.com)
- I’m not Mad, I’m Scared (honeydidyouseethat.wordpress.com)
- Explore Arizona: ‘Jumping cholla’ spines are welcome in pack rat nests (azcentral.com)
- Add a visit to ‘Cactus Heaven’ to your bucket list (wenatcheeworld.com)
OMG Yes I know this plant all too well 🙁 poor JT would hobble over to me and raise her paw for me to remove then when we were out tenting two winters in AZ OUCH
A lot of friends have shared similar experiences with their pets. Thanks for the comment.
🙂
You know life is all about timing. If you had stopped by my blog earlier we would have known better! 🙂
Thanks for the comment.
Very nice, Kenne!
Thanks, Dan.
Been there, done that!
Yea, to experience hiking in the desert is to have been jumped!