Page 22 of The Big Race
Making the Climb
A native tribesman in a straw skirt and a wood-and-bead necklace that looked like something Leo might have made in elementary school handed us our next clue, in a bright yellow paper folder.
We handed in all our equipment and then with Cody following we climbed a set of steps back to the parking lot.
We drove deeper into the park along a winding mountain road, following signs for Rancho Grande.
The pavement gave way to gravel, and Ray had to navigate carefully around potholes and loose rocks.
After twenty minutes of climbing through increasingly dense cloud forest, we reached a small parking area beside the famous biological research station.
There were four other cars there, but from its bumper stickers I figured one belonged to park staff.
Off to the side out of camera range were the support vans for the show.
"Leave the heavy stuff," Ray advised, grabbing only his water bottle and a light windbreaker. "This is going to be all about endurance and altitude."
I grabbed my own essentials and locked the car. Around us, mist drifted between the trees, and the air carried the rich, earthy scent of the cloud forest. A wooden trail marker pointed up a steep path marked "Pico Ceniza Overlook - 3.2 km."
Ray set off immediately, his athletic training evident in his easy stride up the muddy trail. Within minutes, he was twenty yards ahead, moving with the confidence of someone who belonged in the mountains.
"Ray, slow down," I called, already breathing harder in the thin air.
He stopped and turned back, his face flushed with exertion but his eyes bright. "Sorry, babe. I forgot you're not used to this altitude." He waited for me to catch up, then fell into step beside me. "We'll go at your pace."
The trail wound through dense vegetation, occasionally opening to reveal glimpses of the valley far below.
Bromeliads and orchids clung to tree trunks, and somewhere in the canopy above, a toucan called.
Ray pointed out interesting plants and birds as we climbed, his enthusiasm infectious despite my growing fatigue.
"Look at that," he said, stopping beside a massive cecropia tree draped in vines. "The guidebook said these trees are like apartment buildings for wildlife."
Every few hundred meters, he'd find an excuse to pause - to point out a colorful bird, to take a drink of water, to admire the view. I realized he was timing these stops to give me a chance to recover without making it obvious.
"How much further?" I gasped after we'd been climbing for nearly an hour.
Ray consulted the trail markers. "About a kilometer."
As we climbed, we heard voices ahead - someone arguing in what sounded like frustrated whispers.
"That's got to be the sorority sisters," Ray said quietly. "I'd recognize that accent anywhere."
Sure enough, as we rounded the next switchback, we saw Gemini and Blaine about fifty yards ahead, both looking exhausted and moving much slower than when we'd started.
"Y'all, I cannot feel my legs anymore," Gemini was saying, leaning heavily against a tree.
"We can't stop now, hon," Blaine replied, though she looked equally winded. "Those other teams are probably right behind us."
Ray and I exchanged glances and picked up our pace slightly. As we approached them, Ray called out cheerfully, "How's it going, ladies?"
Both women turned, and I saw the competitive fire spark in their eyes despite their exhaustion.
"Oh, just perfect," Gemini drawled sarcastically. "Nothing like a little mountain climbing to start the day."
We passed them on a wider section of trail, Ray offering an encouraging "You're almost there!" as we went by.
About twenty minutes later, we heard heavy footsteps and labored breathing coming up fast behind us. Ray glanced back.
"Sounds like George and Ernie," he said. "Moving pretty well for big guys."
"Don't look back," I panted. "Just keep going."
Behind us, we heard George's distinctive laugh echoing through the forest, which meant they were gaining on us. The final stretch was the steepest, the trail switching back and forth up a rocky slope. My legs burned and my lungs worked overtime in the thin mountain air.
"Come on, Jeffrey," Ray encouraged as we approached the final rise. "Just a little more. I hear George and Ernie getting closer."
And then suddenly we emerged onto the overlook, and the view took what little breath I had left.
The entire coastal range spread before us, layer upon layer of green mountains disappearing into blue haze.
Clouds drifted between the peaks at our level, creating an otherworldly landscape of mist and light.
Julie stood on a small wooden platform at the edge of the overlook, the Stop'n'Go mat positioned to frame the spectacular view behind them. A beautiful woman in native dress stood beside her. We jogged the final few steps, both of us breathing hard but grinning.
"My God," I whispered, momentarily forgetting my exhaustion.
"Worth the climb?" Ray asked, his arm slipping around my shoulders.
"Ray and Jeffrey," Julie announced, "you are the fourth team to arrive."
We hugged each other. “You’re still in the race,” Julie said.
Then she turned to Ernie and George and told them they were team number 5.
Once I caught my breath, we had to do our obligatory on-camera conversation with Julie.
She looked perfect, her blonde ponytail shining, just the right touch of makeup.
And she was clean, which was something I envied right then.
“Jeffrey, you said at the start of the race you couldn’t trust Ray,” she said.
“Have you found that working as a team is helping you learn to trust again?”
Ray jumped in before I could answer. He’s still got that salesman’s glib tongue. “Jeffrey was a real trooper at the bungee jump,” he said. “He overcame his fear of heights.”
Julie glared at him, a look I was sure wouldn’t make it onto the show.
“We didn’t have a meltdown on this leg, like we did on the last one, so I think we’re making progress,” I said.
He put on what he called his ‘game face.’ He was determined not to show any weakness in front of the other teams, and I was glad, because it kept us from fighting when we were all together.
Over the next hour, the remaining teams checked in: the gay friends, the male models, and the doctors.
Last to arrive were the mother-son team, looking exhausted and defeated.
"Keisha and Lamar," Julie said solemnly, "you are the last team to arrive.
I'm sorry to tell you that you have been eliminated from the race. "
Keisha nodded gracefully, her gold cross catching the light. "We gave it our all," she said, embracing her son.
As Keisha and Lamar walked away toward the production vehicles, arms around each other's shoulders, I felt a brief pang watching any team leave. But there wasn't time to dwell on eliminations.
"Fourth place," Ray said quietly as we gathered our gear. "Not bad for a couple of middle-aged guys."
"The real competition starts now," I replied, watching the other teams around us. Fletcher and Adrienne were already studying their map for tomorrow. George and Ernie were sharing an energy bar, looking relaxed despite the long day. The sorority sisters were whispering strategy.
Ten teams remained, each with their own strengths and reasons for being here. The race was far from over, and after today's challenges, I was beginning to believe that neither was our marriage.
Ray's hand found mine as we headed toward our hotel. "Ready for whatever comes next?"
I squeezed his fingers, feeling the familiar calluses, the strength that had guided us through today's obstacles. "With you? I'm ready for anything."