We watched grandson this morning while ex-son-in-law, and his fianceé went to a friend's wedding. We took him to Tsankawi and he had fun searching for the lost temple a la Indiana Jones style. We did the whole loop - only 1.63 miles as clocked by my GPS. It was hot - he kept taking off his hat because, as he said, his hair felt like it had gel in it. It was really funny to see him on the mesa top ruin, overturning a few of the jumble of shaped building blocks in search of a lizard he had seen hide within. He enjoyed checking out the caves on the shelf trail beneath the ruin. It turns out that he's an excellent reader - he was able to read all the signs at Tsankawi to us. Boy Scouts were doing a service project repainting a lot of the signs but he could easily and fluidly read the signs that were up, sounding out perfectly the unfamiliar words like "research".
This afternoon I finished my four miles by parking on West Jemez Road near the water tanks and taking the Perimeter Trail over to Water Canyon and up canyon to Sawmill Meadow and back. Just as I got ready to go up out of Water Canyon onto the Perimeter Trail, a woman and her two dogs came down the trail. Both dogs were off leash although she was holding leashes and may have been trying to corral them but they got away and came charging and barking at me. I kept my hands raised at chest level because I've had dogs nip my dangling hands. She caught up to them and said "They won't hurt you, " and, though doubting her veracity, I said "OK" and continued on my way.
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Friday, May 30, 2008
Alamo Boundary Trail
I hiked with the White Rock Senior Center group today. I met them at the Alamo Boundary trailhead on Dome Road. There were 12 people - unusually large for this group. There was a couple I had never seen on the hike before who brought a guest visiting them from Palmdale, CA. She seemed to really like the area. I talked with her toward the end of the hike and really enjoyed the conversation. She had heard of the book by Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor, My Stroke of Insight. She told me that Jill's website has clips of when Jill was on Oprah. I want to look at those one day. I'm really enjoying the book. Her stroke made her completely right brained for a while. She's healed now but doesn't want to lose the positive aspects of right brainness and wants to teach people both stroke awareness and awareness of the personality of our right and left brains. She has a really easy to understand section on brain anatomy with reference to her stroke.
I didn't get the California woman's name but I mentioned to her in our conversation, in the context of Julia Cameron's book The Artist's Way that she had mentioned, that I had been listening to an Eagles song on the car drive and began crying because I realized that I had always wanted to be a singer and move people's emotions and then I thought that perhaps I didn't want to pursue singing now but I could write poetry that would move people. (Of course, my procrastination talents being so highly developed, don't expect a book of poetry any time soon! : ) Then she told me that when she was 62, she decided she would be a singer/songwriter and made some music. She was a ballerina at one time in New York City. What an interesting person!!
We walked 3.56 miles per my GPS, going a little onto the Coyote Call Trail. We enjoyed the caldera views but couldn't see any elk or cows. One hiker said the cows are in there already.
Susi, a hiker from the LL group who I hadn't seen for a long time, came on the hike. She's all healed up from her knee replacements and broken toe.
After the group left, I walked in a little on the logging road toward Misty Meadow for a total of 5.26 miles. At the parking lot, looking up at Scooter Peak and Rabbit Ridge, I didn't want to leave all that lovely peace!
After the hike, I went to the Jemez House Thrift Shop and bought a Glenn Miller Christmas cassette, a Bing Crosby White Christmas cassette, a Nat King Cole cassette, and a paperback by Dr. James Duke, The Green Pharmacy. First I went to MPL and picked up some magazines for daughter from the non-return box. After the thrift shop, I went to Smith's and bought strawberries, shredded cabbage, baby carrots, spring mix with herbs, and 6 packages of the $4.99 a pound wild sockeye salmon. I'm poaching one of the packages tonight. I liked that I could buy them frozen and just pop them in the freezer for later use.
I didn't get the California woman's name but I mentioned to her in our conversation, in the context of Julia Cameron's book The Artist's Way that she had mentioned, that I had been listening to an Eagles song on the car drive and began crying because I realized that I had always wanted to be a singer and move people's emotions and then I thought that perhaps I didn't want to pursue singing now but I could write poetry that would move people. (Of course, my procrastination talents being so highly developed, don't expect a book of poetry any time soon! : ) Then she told me that when she was 62, she decided she would be a singer/songwriter and made some music. She was a ballerina at one time in New York City. What an interesting person!!
We walked 3.56 miles per my GPS, going a little onto the Coyote Call Trail. We enjoyed the caldera views but couldn't see any elk or cows. One hiker said the cows are in there already.
Susi, a hiker from the LL group who I hadn't seen for a long time, came on the hike. She's all healed up from her knee replacements and broken toe.
After the group left, I walked in a little on the logging road toward Misty Meadow for a total of 5.26 miles. At the parking lot, looking up at Scooter Peak and Rabbit Ridge, I didn't want to leave all that lovely peace!
After the hike, I went to the Jemez House Thrift Shop and bought a Glenn Miller Christmas cassette, a Bing Crosby White Christmas cassette, a Nat King Cole cassette, and a paperback by Dr. James Duke, The Green Pharmacy. First I went to MPL and picked up some magazines for daughter from the non-return box. After the thrift shop, I went to Smith's and bought strawberries, shredded cabbage, baby carrots, spring mix with herbs, and 6 packages of the $4.99 a pound wild sockeye salmon. I'm poaching one of the packages tonight. I liked that I could buy them frozen and just pop them in the freezer for later use.
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Bayo Canyon and Fireline Trails
Today I started on my hikes and explores list by doing the Bayo Canyon and Fireline Trails. I threw in going up the Kwage Mesa connector trail too so I'll cross that off the list as well. There are actually two Kwage Mesa connector trails off the Bayo Canyon Trail. The first one is a short, narrow, incised-in-tuff one and the second one you come upon, going east, is the longer one that ends up near the Brewer Arena. Together, round-trip, they accounted for no more than 1/2 mile.
The Fireline Trail starts from where the North Bayo Bench Trail passes by a vertical, green utility box - make a sharp left there. At first it looks like an old road but once you sort it out in all the deadfall, it turns into a trail that goes over to and intersects the Bayo Canyon Trail, only marked by the vandalized remains of a cast cement trail marker. It rolls in and out of drainages on the hillside below Kwage or North Mesa. I counted 8 massive ponderosas that had fallen across the trail. Spouse would have hated it as it was extra work to go in and out of all the shallow drainages. The hillside was green with oak.
The predominant flowers were perky sue and purple penstemon. The purple penstemon were especially lush in the number of blooms on a spike. I saw New Mexico locust and yucca in bloom. The Sangres had billowy clouds that had a pinkish tinge. I was protected from the wind until on the way back when I took the North Bayo Bench Trail back and was blasted by the wind.
The trial of the Asics Gel Nimbus is inconclusive. They started out very comfortable but ended up not so comfortable. I feel like Cinderella trying on the different slippers but instead they are honking huge size 14 men's athletic shoes!!
I started walking around noon and got back around 3pm. I only saw 2 people, both joggers. I found a child's lovey (beloved stuffed animal) on the trail and carried it back to prop it up on the trail sign.
I was so famished when I got home - did about 7.5 miles - that I threw down everything and had a can of tuna fish with diced raw onions and tomato paste plus grapes and dried mango. It tasted so good!!
Right now I have to go tend to my 4th load of laundry this week and start my cabbage and beans dish.
Tomorrow I meet the White Rock Senior Center (WRSC) group at the Alamo Boundary Trail and possibly go back to White Rock to the library, Jemez House Thrift Shop, and Smith's.
Saturday we watch grandson. Daughter has a sinus infection and will be getting new tires that day - hers are bald.
Sunday I go with spouse to Albuquerque where he'll catch a flight and I'll visit REI before heading home. Monday is a hike with Dorothy, a 77 year old friend who is writing a report on proposed trails around the whole Valles Caldera rim.
For now I'm not calling the roofers. June 7 there is a Home and Garden Show and maybe I can get some roofer ideas there. I'd like to go up Rabbit Mountain after the Home and Garden Show and see if I can catch up with the Sierra Club hikers. Maybe I could just head up the old logging roads directly to Rabbit Mountain - I came down that way once - and skip the Rabbit Ridge Road so I'll have a better chance of catching up with them. We'll see.
The Fireline Trail starts from where the North Bayo Bench Trail passes by a vertical, green utility box - make a sharp left there. At first it looks like an old road but once you sort it out in all the deadfall, it turns into a trail that goes over to and intersects the Bayo Canyon Trail, only marked by the vandalized remains of a cast cement trail marker. It rolls in and out of drainages on the hillside below Kwage or North Mesa. I counted 8 massive ponderosas that had fallen across the trail. Spouse would have hated it as it was extra work to go in and out of all the shallow drainages. The hillside was green with oak.
The predominant flowers were perky sue and purple penstemon. The purple penstemon were especially lush in the number of blooms on a spike. I saw New Mexico locust and yucca in bloom. The Sangres had billowy clouds that had a pinkish tinge. I was protected from the wind until on the way back when I took the North Bayo Bench Trail back and was blasted by the wind.
The trial of the Asics Gel Nimbus is inconclusive. They started out very comfortable but ended up not so comfortable. I feel like Cinderella trying on the different slippers but instead they are honking huge size 14 men's athletic shoes!!
I started walking around noon and got back around 3pm. I only saw 2 people, both joggers. I found a child's lovey (beloved stuffed animal) on the trail and carried it back to prop it up on the trail sign.
I was so famished when I got home - did about 7.5 miles - that I threw down everything and had a can of tuna fish with diced raw onions and tomato paste plus grapes and dried mango. It tasted so good!!
Right now I have to go tend to my 4th load of laundry this week and start my cabbage and beans dish.
Tomorrow I meet the White Rock Senior Center (WRSC) group at the Alamo Boundary Trail and possibly go back to White Rock to the library, Jemez House Thrift Shop, and Smith's.
Saturday we watch grandson. Daughter has a sinus infection and will be getting new tires that day - hers are bald.
Sunday I go with spouse to Albuquerque where he'll catch a flight and I'll visit REI before heading home. Monday is a hike with Dorothy, a 77 year old friend who is writing a report on proposed trails around the whole Valles Caldera rim.
For now I'm not calling the roofers. June 7 there is a Home and Garden Show and maybe I can get some roofer ideas there. I'd like to go up Rabbit Mountain after the Home and Garden Show and see if I can catch up with the Sierra Club hikers. Maybe I could just head up the old logging roads directly to Rabbit Mountain - I came down that way once - and skip the Rabbit Ridge Road so I'll have a better chance of catching up with them. We'll see.
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Another Day, Another Load of Laundry
It's cloudy today. I'm in the midst of making my breakfast/lunch smoothie. I had planned to wake up at 7am and get on the phones early but going to bed at midnight wasn't conducive to that plan so I woke up without alarm a little before 8am. Now, seeing as thunderstorms and hail are in the forecast, I hope to go out to exercise right after breakfast/lunch and make roofer phone calls this afternoon. It appears I'll do anything to delay contacting the roofers about the leak.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Nail Trail-Pajarito Canyon Walk
Dropped off daughter's mail. Grandson was busy at the computer and hardly noticed me. I figured that computer time is at a premium. Twenty minutes after I left, grandson turns from the computer and says "Grandma?" Daughter told him I had left 20 minutes ago. I got a kick out of that story. He seemed to be feeling better. The doctor prescribed Zithromax antibiotic.
After MPL, I headed to the Nail Trail and went up it and down Pajarito Canyon Trail. I saw two nice looking does in the woods on the Nail Trail and two bicyclists that approached me from behind. I was happy that I could hear them coming.
As I was going along the Nail Trail that has the spectacular views of the Pajarito Mountain heights, I wondered how Boy Scout Meadow was doing and if the huge dead trees had finally fallen making the area safer. One day I'd like to go up Pajarito Mountain and explore the top of the Cerro Grande fire devastated Pajarito Canyon Trail. I was so happy to see all the lovely growth of aspens on the hillsides above Pajarito Canyon.
The prettiest wildflower I saw in Pajarito Canyon was the Solomon's/False Solomon's Seal. It looked robust and healthy as did all the canyon wildflowers in that well-watered location. I could hear climbers in the Narrows but couldn't see them. I enjoying walking in the sylvan canyon and hearing the running water.
I started sometime after 2:30pm and got back to the car a little past 4pm. It was a good walk.
After MPL, I headed to the Nail Trail and went up it and down Pajarito Canyon Trail. I saw two nice looking does in the woods on the Nail Trail and two bicyclists that approached me from behind. I was happy that I could hear them coming.
As I was going along the Nail Trail that has the spectacular views of the Pajarito Mountain heights, I wondered how Boy Scout Meadow was doing and if the huge dead trees had finally fallen making the area safer. One day I'd like to go up Pajarito Mountain and explore the top of the Cerro Grande fire devastated Pajarito Canyon Trail. I was so happy to see all the lovely growth of aspens on the hillsides above Pajarito Canyon.
The prettiest wildflower I saw in Pajarito Canyon was the Solomon's/False Solomon's Seal. It looked robust and healthy as did all the canyon wildflowers in that well-watered location. I could hear climbers in the Narrows but couldn't see them. I enjoying walking in the sylvan canyon and hearing the running water.
I started sometime after 2:30pm and got back to the car a little past 4pm. It was a good walk.
Back to Morning Smoothies
I had to temporarily stop morning smoothies because I had made so much of teff with raisins. I ate that with fruit and peanut butter mixed in. My morning smoothie today was herb salad mix, 3 ounces, 3 small carrots, a granny smith apply, most of a pound of strawberries, a handful of almonds, tumeric, dulse powder, ginger powder, rosemary powder, cocoa powder, and rooibos-hibiscus-peppermint-green tea for the liquid. I find it hard to work in enough vegetables without having some in a breakfast smoothie.
I read today an article on Science Daily Health and Medicine news titled "Plant Foods for Preserving Muscle Mass". It talked a little about the issue of acid/alkaline forming foods. I have to find out more about that.
I read today an article on Science Daily Health and Medicine news titled "Plant Foods for Preserving Muscle Mass". It talked a little about the issue of acid/alkaline forming foods. I have to find out more about that.
Tuesday Morning - Feels Like Monday
So far, I've watered the spruce and worked on the ditch around it that I'm creating to keep water from running into the street. I'm also trying to create a ditch from beneath the gutter so rainwater will water the tree without the effort of using a trash can as a rain barrel. I've got to finish brushing my teeth, take the load of laundry out of the dryer and make "Monday" morning phone calls.
Daughter and grandson got sick on their trip to Spokane. Grandson vomited and, per daughter, looks really pale and feels clammy so she's taking him into the doctor. Daughter has a frog in her throat. Son in law's not sick - yet. When I go out later to MPL and to exercise, I'll drop off their mail and the new sun hat I bought her to replace the one she lost as well as ask if son in law wants any of spouse's outgrown shirts.
Tonight I fix mushrooms and onions. It turns out that both spouse and I like them. I'll also fix corn and cut the watermelon.
I hate to call roofers and I still persist in the idea that I could do the repair. I did it in Ann Arbor, MI when the roof leaked around the masonry chimney, even after we got it reroofed. It was a two story roof so it would have been even scarier. I had to go up several time until I finally had pasted enough roofing cement on it to substantially diminish the leak.
Daughter and grandson got sick on their trip to Spokane. Grandson vomited and, per daughter, looks really pale and feels clammy so she's taking him into the doctor. Daughter has a frog in her throat. Son in law's not sick - yet. When I go out later to MPL and to exercise, I'll drop off their mail and the new sun hat I bought her to replace the one she lost as well as ask if son in law wants any of spouse's outgrown shirts.
Tonight I fix mushrooms and onions. It turns out that both spouse and I like them. I'll also fix corn and cut the watermelon.
I hate to call roofers and I still persist in the idea that I could do the repair. I did it in Ann Arbor, MI when the roof leaked around the masonry chimney, even after we got it reroofed. It was a two story roof so it would have been even scarier. I had to go up several time until I finally had pasted enough roofing cement on it to substantially diminish the leak.
Hikes and Explores List
Here's an incomplete list of hikes and explores I'd like to do one day, not in any particular order but rather just as I cooked them up:
Del Norte Road around to Alamo Boundary Trail then up Rabbit Mountain and down to Del Norte Road
TA-49 over to Burnt Mesa explore
Rabbit Mountain from Del Norte Road and NM4 intersection
abandoned road across from Las Conchas picnic area
Ponderosa Campground-Upper Crossing shortcut to Mesa del Rito meadows
La Senda-Pajarito Acres easement trails
Bayo Canyon Trail to Fireline Trail and back
Quemazon to Pajarito Mountain Ski Area via Pipeline Road
Dome Road toward Bandelier XC Ski Trails and/or Obsidian Ridge explore
Alamo Boundary Trail logging roads up Misty Meadow to Rabbit Ridge
South Mountain
Heavenly Valley
Valle Grande Trail to Cerro Grande
Polvadera Peak
San Antonio Mountain
West FR144 into San Antonio Canyon from bermed west rim road upstream from San Antonio Hot Springs
West FR144 explores of all roads into the various canyons, starting with Barley Canyon to Cebolla Canyon and then working north
Del Norte Road around to Alamo Boundary Trail then up Rabbit Mountain and down to Del Norte Road
TA-49 over to Burnt Mesa explore
Rabbit Mountain from Del Norte Road and NM4 intersection
abandoned road across from Las Conchas picnic area
Ponderosa Campground-Upper Crossing shortcut to Mesa del Rito meadows
La Senda-Pajarito Acres easement trails
Bayo Canyon Trail to Fireline Trail and back
Quemazon to Pajarito Mountain Ski Area via Pipeline Road
Dome Road toward Bandelier XC Ski Trails and/or Obsidian Ridge explore
Alamo Boundary Trail logging roads up Misty Meadow to Rabbit Ridge
South Mountain
Heavenly Valley
Valle Grande Trail to Cerro Grande
Polvadera Peak
San Antonio Mountain
West FR144 into San Antonio Canyon from bermed west rim road upstream from San Antonio Hot Springs
West FR144 explores of all roads into the various canyons, starting with Barley Canyon to Cebolla Canyon and then working north
Few More Notes About Yesterday
I got back home at 5:45pm. Walking the 1 1/2 miles back on the road wasn't as fun as walking on the San Antonio Canyon Rim as there's no shade on the road and we were walking very slowly. We didn't go down the road into San Antonio Canyon and now that I've seen it, I want to go down it one day.
Spouse fixed swordfish which I gladly ate even though it's a high mercury fish. He buys it from time to time.
I was really frustrated last night with him. He went through his closet, taking out shirts that no longer fit, and now he has hardly any short-sleeved shirts. I think that once you become an adult growing out of your clothes is not acceptable both for the expense of buying new clothing and the health dangers of having a big, fat belly. Then, right as he was going to bed, he opened the refrig and popped a few grapes in his month. The idea of sleeping with food rotting on my teeth is especially yucky to me! To me, it's hard to see past the wide-load belly and see the man I used to know. He looks so physically different. I still love him and feel compassion for him but I'm not happy with how he does with his health.
Spouse fixed swordfish which I gladly ate even though it's a high mercury fish. He buys it from time to time.
I was really frustrated last night with him. He went through his closet, taking out shirts that no longer fit, and now he has hardly any short-sleeved shirts. I think that once you become an adult growing out of your clothes is not acceptable both for the expense of buying new clothing and the health dangers of having a big, fat belly. Then, right as he was going to bed, he opened the refrig and popped a few grapes in his month. The idea of sleeping with food rotting on my teeth is especially yucky to me! To me, it's hard to see past the wide-load belly and see the man I used to know. He looks so physically different. I still love him and feel compassion for him but I'm not happy with how he does with his health.
Monday, May 26, 2008
Glorious, Beautiful Day
Tired - went to bed around midnight got up at 6:30am. In middle of night was having stomach pains so curled up in fetal ball until they went away.
Drove in on west FR144 about 7.7 miles in from NM126 and started walking south along rim of Valle San Antonio/San Antonio Canyon for about 3.52 miles. Returned to Dorothy's Honda CRV via road. Total hike was 4.96 - let's call it five. Saw some people sitting in lawn chairs at edge of San Antonio Canyon, just taking in the view like they were at the beach. People were camping along and near FR144 yet we never felt like we were in a crowd like the Bandelier experience yesterday. We got almost to where we would have been on the canyon rim directly across from the San Antonio Hot Springs but I couldn't see the actual hot springs with my binocs. We made a cairn where we turned around and Dorothy waypointed it and that's where we'll pick up 3 weeks from now. The cairn is about 5.6 miles in from NM26.
The next two weeks will be north rim explores where we meet Ed down at the WR Y. Dorothy says that she may have some future assignments for explores volunteers can do while carrying a copy of her permission letter.
Oh, Dorothy's close focusing binocs are Celestron Rangers from Eagle Optics. She said they cost $300 when she bought them a few years back but now a lot more brands are available because close focusing binoculars became so popular. Hers are such excellent quality that she can focus on a piece of grass in her hand.
I had so many ideas of hikes I'd like to do in the Jemez but tomorrow I'll have to spend some time in the morning calling roofers and then go out in the afternoon for something close by.
Dorothy and I went up to look at the flower on the in the woods off Camp May Road and she took a photo and a specimen for the PEEC herbarium.
Drove in on west FR144 about 7.7 miles in from NM126 and started walking south along rim of Valle San Antonio/San Antonio Canyon for about 3.52 miles. Returned to Dorothy's Honda CRV via road. Total hike was 4.96 - let's call it five. Saw some people sitting in lawn chairs at edge of San Antonio Canyon, just taking in the view like they were at the beach. People were camping along and near FR144 yet we never felt like we were in a crowd like the Bandelier experience yesterday. We got almost to where we would have been on the canyon rim directly across from the San Antonio Hot Springs but I couldn't see the actual hot springs with my binocs. We made a cairn where we turned around and Dorothy waypointed it and that's where we'll pick up 3 weeks from now. The cairn is about 5.6 miles in from NM26.
The next two weeks will be north rim explores where we meet Ed down at the WR Y. Dorothy says that she may have some future assignments for explores volunteers can do while carrying a copy of her permission letter.
Oh, Dorothy's close focusing binocs are Celestron Rangers from Eagle Optics. She said they cost $300 when she bought them a few years back but now a lot more brands are available because close focusing binoculars became so popular. Hers are such excellent quality that she can focus on a piece of grass in her hand.
I had so many ideas of hikes I'd like to do in the Jemez but tomorrow I'll have to spend some time in the morning calling roofers and then go out in the afternoon for something close by.
Dorothy and I went up to look at the flower on the in the woods off Camp May Road and she took a photo and a specimen for the PEEC herbarium.
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Don't Go to Bandelier on a Holiday Weekend!!
Today we went to Bandelier to hike up the Frijolito and down the Long Trail. I had suggested that we go to Cañada Bonita and thought about suggesting Apache Springs but spouse really, really wanted to go to Bandelier. It didn't even enter my mind to protest that it would be too crowded because of Memorial Day weekend!! We got to the entrance gate around noon and there wasn't a long line yet. Spouse asked if there was a wait for parking and the ranger said the parking lot was full so we went to Juniper Campground to hike the Frey Trail down into the canyon rather than wait in line to park.
When we got to the bottom, spouse had an emergency bathroom run so we walked to the stone bathroom in the picnic area. The hike down hadn't been hugely crowded ,although we saw more people than usual on the trail, but the canyon bottom was overflowing with cars and people. Rangers were stationed in the picnic area and backcountry parking directing cars to empty spots as they opened up. I walked to the backcountry lot while spouse used the bathroom and asked a ranger about the best time to go to Bandelier on a weekend and he said before lunch and they open at 8am.
I need to get up early for our weekend hikes - 7am at least. An earlier start will work out better when it's thunderstorm season! I slept in until 9am this morning because I didn't go to bed until after midnight. I didn't get back from my evening constitutional until around 9:30pm and then had to put my week's worth of supplements in containers and try to make the Solumbra mask fit better by sewing on velcro extender tabs because it fits too tightly otherwise. Then, of course, I had to do my stretching regimen.
Anyway, after spouse's bathroom stop - turned out the stone one was flooded so he had to go to the Visitor Center bathroom - and his streamside snack, we started back up the Frey Trail. I saw a skinny guy with a T shirt and cowboy hat coming down fast and when he was passing me, he stopped short and stood on the trail laughing at my mask. I asked him if he often stood on the trail and laughed at people. It almost sounded like he started speaking French but then he spoke English and said he was laughing because I looked like an alien. This made me mad so I asked him if he had looked in a mirror lately. He said he looked good compared to me!! As he finally started on his way, still laughing like the jackass he is, I called out to his departing back that he looked asinine. Don't know if he heard me since it was windy at that point. When I told spouse about the incident, I kiddingly said I should have told him he looked like the Brokeback Cowboy and insulted his manhood!! He was wearing one of those ridiculous, skinny cowboy hats that has the brim curled up on the sides. He didn't see it but he looked ridiculous too. He was the only one that insulted me to my face. I don't worry about the ones who may look quizzically but politely pass on by. It's OK if they laugh behind my back but the ones who stop and laugh in my face are irritating. I also commented to spouse as we continued up that I guess in France it's OK to pick on women and old ladies!! : )
After the hike we went to the library and Smith's. I needed some frozen green veggies and we bought red grapes, strawberries, mushrooms, corn, and a watermelon as well. Spouse bought himself a bottle of wine and a bottle of port as well as picked up his prescription for hydrochlorthiazide. His pvcs were still present on this hike but maybe were milder because he only drank tea not coffee for breakfast. He went out to see the 4pm Indiana Jones show. I liked the original but had no desire to see the plethora of special effects in the new one.
Yesterday was only an ordinary Santa Fe shopping trip with stops at Walmart, the Mall, where spouse ordered reading glasses from Pearle Vision and ate lunch, and Vitamin Cottage.
When we got to the bottom, spouse had an emergency bathroom run so we walked to the stone bathroom in the picnic area. The hike down hadn't been hugely crowded ,although we saw more people than usual on the trail, but the canyon bottom was overflowing with cars and people. Rangers were stationed in the picnic area and backcountry parking directing cars to empty spots as they opened up. I walked to the backcountry lot while spouse used the bathroom and asked a ranger about the best time to go to Bandelier on a weekend and he said before lunch and they open at 8am.
I need to get up early for our weekend hikes - 7am at least. An earlier start will work out better when it's thunderstorm season! I slept in until 9am this morning because I didn't go to bed until after midnight. I didn't get back from my evening constitutional until around 9:30pm and then had to put my week's worth of supplements in containers and try to make the Solumbra mask fit better by sewing on velcro extender tabs because it fits too tightly otherwise. Then, of course, I had to do my stretching regimen.
Anyway, after spouse's bathroom stop - turned out the stone one was flooded so he had to go to the Visitor Center bathroom - and his streamside snack, we started back up the Frey Trail. I saw a skinny guy with a T shirt and cowboy hat coming down fast and when he was passing me, he stopped short and stood on the trail laughing at my mask. I asked him if he often stood on the trail and laughed at people. It almost sounded like he started speaking French but then he spoke English and said he was laughing because I looked like an alien. This made me mad so I asked him if he had looked in a mirror lately. He said he looked good compared to me!! As he finally started on his way, still laughing like the jackass he is, I called out to his departing back that he looked asinine. Don't know if he heard me since it was windy at that point. When I told spouse about the incident, I kiddingly said I should have told him he looked like the Brokeback Cowboy and insulted his manhood!! He was wearing one of those ridiculous, skinny cowboy hats that has the brim curled up on the sides. He didn't see it but he looked ridiculous too. He was the only one that insulted me to my face. I don't worry about the ones who may look quizzically but politely pass on by. It's OK if they laugh behind my back but the ones who stop and laugh in my face are irritating. I also commented to spouse as we continued up that I guess in France it's OK to pick on women and old ladies!! : )
After the hike we went to the library and Smith's. I needed some frozen green veggies and we bought red grapes, strawberries, mushrooms, corn, and a watermelon as well. Spouse bought himself a bottle of wine and a bottle of port as well as picked up his prescription for hydrochlorthiazide. His pvcs were still present on this hike but maybe were milder because he only drank tea not coffee for breakfast. He went out to see the 4pm Indiana Jones show. I liked the original but had no desire to see the plethora of special effects in the new one.
Yesterday was only an ordinary Santa Fe shopping trip with stops at Walmart, the Mall, where spouse ordered reading glasses from Pearle Vision and ate lunch, and Vitamin Cottage.
Friday, May 23, 2008
Frey Trail Outing
Mary, the leader of the White Rock Senior Center hiking group, called me just before 8:30am this morning to ask if it was raining here. She said someone had told her it was raining hard on Barranca Mesa. I told her it was just drizzling here. She decided the group would just walk in White Rock so I went to the Betty Ehart Senior Center to hook up with the hiking group that starts at 9:05am. There were 7 people. Bill was in such a hurry to back out that he started pulling back while George, a man in his 80's, was trying to get into the car. There was a young man along and it seemed that Mary, the Betty Ehart Senior Center hiking leader, was giving him a tour of the area. I didn't know they planned to drive through White Rock to Bandelier to show the area to him. I waited about 10 minutes for them to arrive.
Because of the sightseeing aspect of it, the group was even slower than usual. Art and I went ahead on the Frey Trail, looking back often to see how far back the group but they were so far back that we continued on without them. At the second paved road, Art turned around to catch up with the group and I went to the Frey Trailhead at Juniper Campground. The group was so slow that they were still walking in the ruins area when I got back down. I'm sure they went to where the Frey Trail levels out up above which was all the further the leader said they would go and then turned around but they must have just made it back down when I got down. I waved hello but had to make an emergency run to some bushes below the Long Trail and then caught up with them again so I could ask one of the old time hikers, Bill, another man in his 80's, about the Reflector Trail.
He kidded at first and said "It's classified!" Then he told me it was built in 1980 and mentioned that David Ramsey thought it would be a good idea. He said it might have been called the Perimeter Trail and that the reflectors are so high most likely because there was deep snow on the ground when they were placed on the trees. He said the impetus for the trail was when some skiers ended up in the Valle de los Posos and couldn't come back out. As brought out during the rim trail talk at PEEC, the idea was that a sweep of the Reflector Trail could be done if skiers were missing to see if any tracks crossed it and that would help to narrow the search.
I saw loads of blooming Apache Plume, a puccoon, a couple of Indian Paintbrush, the tiny fleabane like on the WR Rim Trail hike, a blue penstemon, and a goodly amount of wallflowers. It was a little windy going up the Frey - my umbrella kept turning inside out because I need to reattach a rib with thread. I'll do that this afternoon. It was on and off drizzling, cool, and looked like an early fall with the far off mountains dappled with mist.
I did early voting today after the hike. When I got home, I started two loads of laundry - still have to fold them, made hummous, and edamame. Lunch was breakfast's leftover strawberry smoothie along with some hummous and the edamame. I usually don't eat lunch so this will mean a late supper. I really should begin calling roofers this afternoon but may put if off until Monday. I want to do my resistance work today. Sometimes that's a pain in the butt to have that hanging over my head but I think my body would fall apart if I didn't do some weights at least twice a week. BTW, my sciatica seems to have mostly disappeared. I think that the iliotibial band stretches really helped. I do the lying one as well as the standing ones. I learned the lying one from Jolie Bookspan's Fitness Fixer blog: Lie on your back, spread your legs into a wide V with your legs at 10pm and 2pm, then cross one leg over the other and hold, and repeat on the other side.
Because of the sightseeing aspect of it, the group was even slower than usual. Art and I went ahead on the Frey Trail, looking back often to see how far back the group but they were so far back that we continued on without them. At the second paved road, Art turned around to catch up with the group and I went to the Frey Trailhead at Juniper Campground. The group was so slow that they were still walking in the ruins area when I got back down. I'm sure they went to where the Frey Trail levels out up above which was all the further the leader said they would go and then turned around but they must have just made it back down when I got down. I waved hello but had to make an emergency run to some bushes below the Long Trail and then caught up with them again so I could ask one of the old time hikers, Bill, another man in his 80's, about the Reflector Trail.
He kidded at first and said "It's classified!" Then he told me it was built in 1980 and mentioned that David Ramsey thought it would be a good idea. He said it might have been called the Perimeter Trail and that the reflectors are so high most likely because there was deep snow on the ground when they were placed on the trees. He said the impetus for the trail was when some skiers ended up in the Valle de los Posos and couldn't come back out. As brought out during the rim trail talk at PEEC, the idea was that a sweep of the Reflector Trail could be done if skiers were missing to see if any tracks crossed it and that would help to narrow the search.
I saw loads of blooming Apache Plume, a puccoon, a couple of Indian Paintbrush, the tiny fleabane like on the WR Rim Trail hike, a blue penstemon, and a goodly amount of wallflowers. It was a little windy going up the Frey - my umbrella kept turning inside out because I need to reattach a rib with thread. I'll do that this afternoon. It was on and off drizzling, cool, and looked like an early fall with the far off mountains dappled with mist.
I did early voting today after the hike. When I got home, I started two loads of laundry - still have to fold them, made hummous, and edamame. Lunch was breakfast's leftover strawberry smoothie along with some hummous and the edamame. I usually don't eat lunch so this will mean a late supper. I really should begin calling roofers this afternoon but may put if off until Monday. I want to do my resistance work today. Sometimes that's a pain in the butt to have that hanging over my head but I think my body would fall apart if I didn't do some weights at least twice a week. BTW, my sciatica seems to have mostly disappeared. I think that the iliotibial band stretches really helped. I do the lying one as well as the standing ones. I learned the lying one from Jolie Bookspan's Fitness Fixer blog: Lie on your back, spread your legs into a wide V with your legs at 10pm and 2pm, then cross one leg over the other and hold, and repeat on the other side.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Excitement
No, not this, but I keep forgetting to say that on an x-ray, a heel spur looks like a barb on a fish hook - fun!
The excitement is that the issue of change of station for spouse has arisen again. There was an email sent out about a change of station in D.C. to work in the DOE office in the ICF program. Spouse is interested in it. He's happy that he could do it as a lab employee and continue to accrue retirement benefits. This is the same position that was being shopped around earlier but it would have required him quitting his present position. Apparently they couldn't find anybody and devised this scheme. He'll be working directly for a man who was his former group leader at the lab. It's not a done deal as the offer is being made to all in ICF. I will visit him if he gets it but I still don't plan to move to D.C. I'll have to figure out what I'll do to spend my time profitably here while he's gone.
Just yesterday, the deadline came and passed to apply for the half time position teaching physics at UNM-LA and he decided not to do that because he's not really sure if he wants to teach and also because it pays very little but you have to work a relatively large number of hours.
The excitement is that the issue of change of station for spouse has arisen again. There was an email sent out about a change of station in D.C. to work in the DOE office in the ICF program. Spouse is interested in it. He's happy that he could do it as a lab employee and continue to accrue retirement benefits. This is the same position that was being shopped around earlier but it would have required him quitting his present position. Apparently they couldn't find anybody and devised this scheme. He'll be working directly for a man who was his former group leader at the lab. It's not a done deal as the offer is being made to all in ICF. I will visit him if he gets it but I still don't plan to move to D.C. I'll have to figure out what I'll do to spend my time profitably here while he's gone.
Just yesterday, the deadline came and passed to apply for the half time position teaching physics at UNM-LA and he decided not to do that because he's not really sure if he wants to teach and also because it pays very little but you have to work a relatively large number of hours.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
More That I Forgot About Today
At the end of my Perimeter Trail walk, I walked the steep, dirt road up to the Knife-edge trailhead just to see what was up. I'd like to do a reenactment of the Knife-edge trek one day. I'd also like to explore the old roads off the Perimeter Trail again. A tree, small enough possibly to move, fell over the last few yards of the Knife-edge access road.
The 1 1/2 hour this morning included stretches as well as resistance work. I watched the Today show while I worked out.
Another crummy thing about the New Balance 908's is that my right knee did some complaining but my knees behaved perfectly with the Tevas. It's true that this knee yammering happened as I was going down the steep downhill from the Knife-edge trailhead.
Today I went to Metzgers to look at extension ladders thinking that if perhaps I could buy a longer, more solid extension ladder, I could get on the roof. Well, forget about it - they cost over $200. A sales clerk at Metzgers gave me the name of Joe Hurtado when I asked about roofers to repair a small leak but I couldn't find his license on the Construction Industries Division website for NM.
The 1 1/2 hour this morning included stretches as well as resistance work. I watched the Today show while I worked out.
Another crummy thing about the New Balance 908's is that my right knee did some complaining but my knees behaved perfectly with the Tevas. It's true that this knee yammering happened as I was going down the steep downhill from the Knife-edge trailhead.
Today I went to Metzgers to look at extension ladders thinking that if perhaps I could buy a longer, more solid extension ladder, I could get on the roof. Well, forget about it - they cost over $200. A sales clerk at Metzgers gave me the name of Joe Hurtado when I asked about roofers to repair a small leak but I couldn't find his license on the Construction Industries Division website for NM.
Perimeter Trail Walk
Here's an excerpt from an email yesterday to my sister:
Grandson and daughter were over here tonight for supper. Daughter took home some for son in law since he works until 8:30pm. We had lamb kebabs, roasted vegetables, corn on the cob, canned sweet potatoes, and salad. Grandson had an adventure this afternoon. Daughter had sent the Y after school program an email saying that grandson wouldn't go to the program on Friday, the last day of school. There was a mix up because they sent him straight home after school on the bus today when he was supposed to stay at the after school program. The neighbors told him his Mom was at work so he walked there, less than 1/2 mile, and pops in saying "Hi, Mom!", scaring daughter half to death because she thought he was safely ensconced in Y camp! She brought him over here and he quietly watched TV while I worked on getting the dinner ready. He told us that he waited until 4 cars passed to cross the street. Daughter's going to show him how he can cross at the light in the future.
I forgot to mention that Sunday night I went to bed around 1am and my bladder woke me up at 7:30am. Last night I went to bed past 12:30am and my bladder/alarm clock woke me at 8am.
I am so tempted to hike with the LL group tomorrow just for some company but driving an hour each way doesn't sound like what I really want to do. I wonder if there's a hiking group on Wednesday that hikes locally?
I walked part of the south portion of the Perimeter Trail today, starting at Pajarito Canyon/Nail Trail Trailhead. The only person I saw was a bicyclist. I started around 1:45pm. There were still orange pin flags and some plastic flagging up to mark the return route of the 50 mile Jemez Mountain Trail Run. I walked over to FR181 and turned around.
The south portion of the Perimeter Trail is really lovely in the part west and uphill of Valle Canyon. The sides of the hill going out of Valle Canyon had lots of valerian, red columbine, fresh green moss, white violets, and white flowered wild strawberry. Then when you top out, you walk through a forest of tall, widely spaced ponderosa pines and masses of yellow golden pea - really beautiful! I got back to my car just before 4pm.
Now for some foot bitching: I tried out the New Balance 908 today and it wasn't good. I experimented with not using the Hapad Comf Orthotic insoles and my right heel slid around a lot and caused some pain plus, there isn't enough room for my right big toe (the one that's trying hard to become a bunion). I really missed the freedom for my toes of the Tevas and how the ankle strap on the Tevas keeps my ankle in place. My foot felt perfect after yesterday's walk in the Tevas. Problem is that I'm afraid of killing myself in the Tevas because if the open toes catch on a branch, I'm dead. I put the Tevas on when I got back to the car and they felt so indescribably, deliciously comfortable and soothing to my feet!
During my walk, big, dark bottomed clouds rolled on by overhead, with mostly sunshine and some wind that helped to cool me.
The bank clock said 85 degrees and it's 80 degrees in the house. Ah, to have the luxury of retreating to higher, cooler climes!! : )
Oh, I did 1 1/2 hours of upper and lower body resistance work this morning before breakfast. My left buttock is sore even though I'm stretching it with a lot of different stretches. It mostly behaved on the walk today.
Grandson and daughter were over here tonight for supper. Daughter took home some for son in law since he works until 8:30pm. We had lamb kebabs, roasted vegetables, corn on the cob, canned sweet potatoes, and salad. Grandson had an adventure this afternoon. Daughter had sent the Y after school program an email saying that grandson wouldn't go to the program on Friday, the last day of school. There was a mix up because they sent him straight home after school on the bus today when he was supposed to stay at the after school program. The neighbors told him his Mom was at work so he walked there, less than 1/2 mile, and pops in saying "Hi, Mom!", scaring daughter half to death because she thought he was safely ensconced in Y camp! She brought him over here and he quietly watched TV while I worked on getting the dinner ready. He told us that he waited until 4 cars passed to cross the street. Daughter's going to show him how he can cross at the light in the future.
I forgot to mention that Sunday night I went to bed around 1am and my bladder woke me up at 7:30am. Last night I went to bed past 12:30am and my bladder/alarm clock woke me at 8am.
I am so tempted to hike with the LL group tomorrow just for some company but driving an hour each way doesn't sound like what I really want to do. I wonder if there's a hiking group on Wednesday that hikes locally?
I walked part of the south portion of the Perimeter Trail today, starting at Pajarito Canyon/Nail Trail Trailhead. The only person I saw was a bicyclist. I started around 1:45pm. There were still orange pin flags and some plastic flagging up to mark the return route of the 50 mile Jemez Mountain Trail Run. I walked over to FR181 and turned around.
The south portion of the Perimeter Trail is really lovely in the part west and uphill of Valle Canyon. The sides of the hill going out of Valle Canyon had lots of valerian, red columbine, fresh green moss, white violets, and white flowered wild strawberry. Then when you top out, you walk through a forest of tall, widely spaced ponderosa pines and masses of yellow golden pea - really beautiful! I got back to my car just before 4pm.
Now for some foot bitching: I tried out the New Balance 908 today and it wasn't good. I experimented with not using the Hapad Comf Orthotic insoles and my right heel slid around a lot and caused some pain plus, there isn't enough room for my right big toe (the one that's trying hard to become a bunion). I really missed the freedom for my toes of the Tevas and how the ankle strap on the Tevas keeps my ankle in place. My foot felt perfect after yesterday's walk in the Tevas. Problem is that I'm afraid of killing myself in the Tevas because if the open toes catch on a branch, I'm dead. I put the Tevas on when I got back to the car and they felt so indescribably, deliciously comfortable and soothing to my feet!
During my walk, big, dark bottomed clouds rolled on by overhead, with mostly sunshine and some wind that helped to cool me.
The bank clock said 85 degrees and it's 80 degrees in the house. Ah, to have the luxury of retreating to higher, cooler climes!! : )
Oh, I did 1 1/2 hours of upper and lower body resistance work this morning before breakfast. My left buttock is sore even though I'm stretching it with a lot of different stretches. It mostly behaved on the walk today.
Monday, May 19, 2008
Too Hot in Here
It's 77 degrees inside. I'd better open things up. I got to FR181 today at noon - early start because Daughter and grandson are coming over for supper tonight and I have to do some food prep. I wore Teva sandals on FR181 to see if that helped or hurt my feet. It seemed OK. I guess the real issue is will it hurt the heel spur. I feel pain in my right heel if there isn't enough cushioning in the shoe's heel area. So far it seems OK. If this works and actually helps my feet, I'd have to buy a pair of Teva or Chaco sandals that have better tread. These ones could be slippery. I'm desperate to help my feet. The Teva sandals felt good because they were so light and they let my feet have freedom.
Also, when my left leg started to hurt while walking, I stopped and did an iliotibial band stretch. That may have helped so I'll keep doing it.
I was surprised not to see anyone on the road. I did see a bicyclist in the distance who probably came from the Perimeter Trail. An RV trailer was parked near American Springs but no vehicle was there. There's no shade on the road so it was a bit hot. The bank clock said 82 degrees if you can believe that!
Menu tonight is corn on the cob, salad, canned sweet potatoes, lamb kebabs, vegetable kebabs. I can eat some of it at least.
Also, when my left leg started to hurt while walking, I stopped and did an iliotibial band stretch. That may have helped so I'll keep doing it.
I was surprised not to see anyone on the road. I did see a bicyclist in the distance who probably came from the Perimeter Trail. An RV trailer was parked near American Springs but no vehicle was there. There's no shade on the road so it was a bit hot. The bank clock said 82 degrees if you can believe that!
Menu tonight is corn on the cob, salad, canned sweet potatoes, lamb kebabs, vegetable kebabs. I can eat some of it at least.
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Frustating Weekend
Excerpt from email yesterday to my brother:
Our roof has a small leak - a cup of water the last rainstorm - around the furnace vent pipe. I was going to go on the roof today and look at it to determine what's the problem but I couldn't talk myself into it. I'll have to have roofers come out to give an estimate. Maybe if I study how they get on the roof, I could talk myself into it. I just had no idea about how to do the last part of stepping around the side of the 3' projection of the ladder over the roof edge. I have gotten on the roof before but that was long ago!
The extension ladder is a 16' one and to have 3' of the ladder above the roof, the ladder had to be fully extended and that didn't feel right. I wonder if I could have had less ladder above the roof and would have felt more comfortable. Spouse was going to steady the ladder. Now I have to research roofers with Better Business Bureau and ask hikers who they'd recommend and see who's willing to come out to look at it. I'm disheartened but maybe I'll get some one good and trustworthy who will fix it for once and for all. This problem was "fixed" after the new roof was installed but I wonder was it really.
Let small bird out of woodstove Saturday. It perched atop our photo frames singing until it finally could navigate out the open front door.
Spouse installed our digital converter boxes this weekend. Now there is a total of 5 remotes for the livingroom TV. Next year I won't be able to record shows off the big TV as it's too complex to have the signal hooked up to the VCR as well as the dvd player, the converter box, and the satellite receiver but I will be able to record off the little TV in spouse's bedroom. The TV in the bedroom now has a really good picture like it's on the cable or something.
All spouse's dithering with the digital converter box has made me want to get rid of all electronic devices. It's made me wish a lot for a simpler life.
Today we hiked the Coyote Call Trail. Spouse waited for me at Scooter Pass while I went out to the Alamo Boundary TH and back. I went up to several of the ponds to try to spot the peepers who were singing away but no luck. I could smell the wintergreenish smell from the much chewed upon downed aspen as I walked over it. The sun was bringing the smell out strongly. I would like to go up Misty Meadow to Rabbit Ridge and back down the RR Road to the Coyote Call TH, starting at Alamo Bdy TH. That whole area is so inviting. There are going to be a slew of irises when they finally start blooming. There were no vehicles parked at AB TH but 3 parked at CC TH. We only saw one couple on the Coyote Call Trail. Promising clouds were floating over Scooter Peak but they were stingy with their moisture.
Spouse was having premature ventricular contractions, probably from the coffee he drinks, and wasn't very talkative. He had to stop a lot going up the first hill to the upper Coyote Call trail loop. My right foot was hurting at the end but the left hip felt fine.
Oh, I have a heel spur but I don't think that's what's causing the instep pain. I had heel spur symptoms years ago but when the symptoms go away, the heel spur doesn't - your foot just gets used to it. I have some mild degenerative changes in the area of pain. I'm unsure what I'll do next but not happy that the pain won't just go away and stop harassing me!!
Our roof has a small leak - a cup of water the last rainstorm - around the furnace vent pipe. I was going to go on the roof today and look at it to determine what's the problem but I couldn't talk myself into it. I'll have to have roofers come out to give an estimate. Maybe if I study how they get on the roof, I could talk myself into it. I just had no idea about how to do the last part of stepping around the side of the 3' projection of the ladder over the roof edge. I have gotten on the roof before but that was long ago!
The extension ladder is a 16' one and to have 3' of the ladder above the roof, the ladder had to be fully extended and that didn't feel right. I wonder if I could have had less ladder above the roof and would have felt more comfortable. Spouse was going to steady the ladder. Now I have to research roofers with Better Business Bureau and ask hikers who they'd recommend and see who's willing to come out to look at it. I'm disheartened but maybe I'll get some one good and trustworthy who will fix it for once and for all. This problem was "fixed" after the new roof was installed but I wonder was it really.
Let small bird out of woodstove Saturday. It perched atop our photo frames singing until it finally could navigate out the open front door.
Spouse installed our digital converter boxes this weekend. Now there is a total of 5 remotes for the livingroom TV. Next year I won't be able to record shows off the big TV as it's too complex to have the signal hooked up to the VCR as well as the dvd player, the converter box, and the satellite receiver but I will be able to record off the little TV in spouse's bedroom. The TV in the bedroom now has a really good picture like it's on the cable or something.
All spouse's dithering with the digital converter box has made me want to get rid of all electronic devices. It's made me wish a lot for a simpler life.
Today we hiked the Coyote Call Trail. Spouse waited for me at Scooter Pass while I went out to the Alamo Boundary TH and back. I went up to several of the ponds to try to spot the peepers who were singing away but no luck. I could smell the wintergreenish smell from the much chewed upon downed aspen as I walked over it. The sun was bringing the smell out strongly. I would like to go up Misty Meadow to Rabbit Ridge and back down the RR Road to the Coyote Call TH, starting at Alamo Bdy TH. That whole area is so inviting. There are going to be a slew of irises when they finally start blooming. There were no vehicles parked at AB TH but 3 parked at CC TH. We only saw one couple on the Coyote Call Trail. Promising clouds were floating over Scooter Peak but they were stingy with their moisture.
Spouse was having premature ventricular contractions, probably from the coffee he drinks, and wasn't very talkative. He had to stop a lot going up the first hill to the upper Coyote Call trail loop. My right foot was hurting at the end but the left hip felt fine.
Oh, I have a heel spur but I don't think that's what's causing the instep pain. I had heel spur symptoms years ago but when the symptoms go away, the heel spur doesn't - your foot just gets used to it. I have some mild degenerative changes in the area of pain. I'm unsure what I'll do next but not happy that the pain won't just go away and stop harassing me!!
Friday, May 16, 2008
FR181 Walk
I woke up at 8:15am, getting almost 4 hours more sleep than the night before! Before eating, I did over an hour of resistance work, both upper and lower body, foot and balance work, stretches and kegels. I cooked a gruel/dessert from cooked teff and raisins soaked in orange juice, with spices like cinnamon, adding a little almond butter. It's delicious - especially with some peanut butter! I made a kitchen sink smoothie for breakfast/lunch.
I didn't head out to MPL and BESC until after 1pm. I had a disk with my foot x-rays on it and the disk wouldn't work on our Mac so I took it to BESC's computer room where I was able to view my right foot and ankle x-rays. I didn't know how to interpret them - MANNM will mail me the report next week - but thought that my foot bones looked beautiful - slender and graceful.
I found spouse a bunch of Monitoring Times in the library lobby from 2006, 2007, and even through April of 2008! I also found him 2 Physics textbooks in case he teaches at UNM-LA. Earlier this week, I found two more Calculus books which I'm saving for now.
I didn't start walking on FR181 until after 2:45pm. I could see the snow covered backside of Pajarito Mountain and thought of all the people who would be up there playing in the snow and how happy they would be!
My walk was very good. I tried out a new pair of exercise shoes that I had in the closet - not trail running shoes or hiking shoes but ordinary New Balance road running shoes. My left leg mostly behaved but I did notice that I seemed to be weak going up slight hills. I don't know whether to attribute that to being hungry or to perhaps having some kind of deficiency. At any rate, I think I may experiment and take some iron pills. At least now I can blame the flautus on the iron pills! I'm also going to experiment by adding 3 more Vitamin D capsules a week. I read in the People's Pharmacy email newsletter that a lady was having lots of joint pains and they disappeared when she began taking Vitamin D, 1600 IU a day. I'll try taking 10,000 IU's a week and see what happens.
Oh, last night I tried to watch the Storm Over Everest show but it apparently didn't tape as there was just black and white static for 2 hours. Oh well!! Maybe another time.
I took a slight detour off FR181 going out to the overlook from Red Tail Hawk Point or whatever it's called. I always forget and take the first distinct left turn after Water Canyon but that road quickly dead ends in a quagmire of fallen dead trees. I have to try to remember next time to take the second distinct left turn. The deadfall is easier to get around on that road.
Anyhow, the view at the end is spectacular. You don't want to slip because it's a long way down. You're looking down into where Water Canyon diverges into Vault Canyon. I could hear the water racing out of Vault Canyon. I also walked to where I could see the Vault Canyon Overlook platform. It is so worthwhile to take the detour to the Water Canyon Overlook. I'd like to go there for a picnic one day but none of my family would want to fight the deadfall for the payoff at the end. I ended up walking 5.11 miles per my GPS. I saw a vehicle parked at the Water Canyon dip. I took a few photos of clematis on the way home. I saw lots of red columbine and valerian growing on the hill above Water Canyon before you get into the dip. Lots of elk and deer tracks crossed the road. I didn't get done until 5pm and when I came back home, spouse had just gotten home. It's so pretty in the mountains in the late afternoon.
I didn't head out to MPL and BESC until after 1pm. I had a disk with my foot x-rays on it and the disk wouldn't work on our Mac so I took it to BESC's computer room where I was able to view my right foot and ankle x-rays. I didn't know how to interpret them - MANNM will mail me the report next week - but thought that my foot bones looked beautiful - slender and graceful.
I found spouse a bunch of Monitoring Times in the library lobby from 2006, 2007, and even through April of 2008! I also found him 2 Physics textbooks in case he teaches at UNM-LA. Earlier this week, I found two more Calculus books which I'm saving for now.
I didn't start walking on FR181 until after 2:45pm. I could see the snow covered backside of Pajarito Mountain and thought of all the people who would be up there playing in the snow and how happy they would be!
My walk was very good. I tried out a new pair of exercise shoes that I had in the closet - not trail running shoes or hiking shoes but ordinary New Balance road running shoes. My left leg mostly behaved but I did notice that I seemed to be weak going up slight hills. I don't know whether to attribute that to being hungry or to perhaps having some kind of deficiency. At any rate, I think I may experiment and take some iron pills. At least now I can blame the flautus on the iron pills! I'm also going to experiment by adding 3 more Vitamin D capsules a week. I read in the People's Pharmacy email newsletter that a lady was having lots of joint pains and they disappeared when she began taking Vitamin D, 1600 IU a day. I'll try taking 10,000 IU's a week and see what happens.
Oh, last night I tried to watch the Storm Over Everest show but it apparently didn't tape as there was just black and white static for 2 hours. Oh well!! Maybe another time.
I took a slight detour off FR181 going out to the overlook from Red Tail Hawk Point or whatever it's called. I always forget and take the first distinct left turn after Water Canyon but that road quickly dead ends in a quagmire of fallen dead trees. I have to try to remember next time to take the second distinct left turn. The deadfall is easier to get around on that road.
Anyhow, the view at the end is spectacular. You don't want to slip because it's a long way down. You're looking down into where Water Canyon diverges into Vault Canyon. I could hear the water racing out of Vault Canyon. I also walked to where I could see the Vault Canyon Overlook platform. It is so worthwhile to take the detour to the Water Canyon Overlook. I'd like to go there for a picnic one day but none of my family would want to fight the deadfall for the payoff at the end. I ended up walking 5.11 miles per my GPS. I saw a vehicle parked at the Water Canyon dip. I took a few photos of clematis on the way home. I saw lots of red columbine and valerian growing on the hill above Water Canyon before you get into the dip. Lots of elk and deer tracks crossed the road. I didn't get done until 5pm and when I came back home, spouse had just gotten home. It's so pretty in the mountains in the late afternoon.
Park and Ride to Albuquerque
I was dreading all week having to get up at 4:30am to catch the 6:35am Park and Ride bus to Albuquerque to meet spouse. I also doubted how I was going to catch the correct ABQ RIDE buses over to REI. ABQ RIDE, though, has a neat system where you email them where you're starting from and where you want to wind up and they email the exact buses to take. I printed out the schedules and carried them with me. Knowing the exact times of the bus routes was extremely helpful.
It was drizzling and the mountains were shrouded in clouds when I got to the bus stop at 20th and Central. A handful of people got off the bus and only I got on. We picked up a couple more people over at the lab and headed to Santa Fe. The driver made a quick stop at the Totavi gas station for coffee. After 3 stops in Santa Fe, the bus ended up having almost 20 passengers going to Albuquerque. I read magazines the whole time and used the bathroom once. It was a very enjoyable way to get to Albuquerque, especially since the bus wasn't completely full.
When we arrived at the Alvarado Transportation Center in downtown Albuquerque, I was at first flummoxed at not knowing where to stand to wait for bus #10, the 4th Street route, but I eventually figured out, by consulting the posted route map and my printed out schedules, that each bus route pulls up to a stop posted with a letter of the alphabet.
Bus route #10 took off from the Alvarado around 9:30am (the Park and Ride arrived around 9:10am, which gave me time to use the bathroom in the Alvarado). I was worried about making the 10:02am connection for the #157 route, Montaño Road, but the driver dropped me off near 4th and Montaño about 9:50am. The deal was that if I missed the 10:02am bus, another wouldn't be along for 47 minutes and standing in the rain holding an umbrella and a big shopping bag just didn't seem to be the ticket! It's only 1.9 miles to REI per Mapquest from the corner of 4th St. and Montaño but the rain and the big golf umbrella complicated things.
REI wasn't too productive a stop as I couldn't find some things (out of stock) and the shoes that I was trying to exchange for were road running shoes instead of the trail running shoes that I wanted. Turns out that Asics makes the GT 2130 in both trail and road running versions. I didn't make it clear when paid for the shoes over the phone that I wanted the trail running version. I tried on a stack of shoes but none of them were quite right. I'm ordering some Brooks in a larger size than the ones they had in the store and we'll see how that works. REI must think I have some kind of strange shoe fetish where I like to order shoes and immediately return them! I ended up buying six pairs of the black polyester gloves I wear for $8.83 each - they're usually $12. Spouse bought yet another shirt. He says a lot of his are tight. Well, I'm not surprised! : )
After REI, we went to Whole Foods. I bought some broccoli, cantaloupes, baby carrots, tomatoes on the vine, bananas and avocados. I love to buy and eat lots of colorful produce! Lunch was yellowtail avocado sushi which I ate on the car ride home.
We both were surprised that the Jemez had gotten snow Wednesday night. The mountains looked very pretty. I did my 4 miles on the La Mesa Trail and walking to the library. I saw a beautiful pink sunset. My left leg got stiff and the sciatica or whatever it is acted up.
It was drizzling and the mountains were shrouded in clouds when I got to the bus stop at 20th and Central. A handful of people got off the bus and only I got on. We picked up a couple more people over at the lab and headed to Santa Fe. The driver made a quick stop at the Totavi gas station for coffee. After 3 stops in Santa Fe, the bus ended up having almost 20 passengers going to Albuquerque. I read magazines the whole time and used the bathroom once. It was a very enjoyable way to get to Albuquerque, especially since the bus wasn't completely full.
When we arrived at the Alvarado Transportation Center in downtown Albuquerque, I was at first flummoxed at not knowing where to stand to wait for bus #10, the 4th Street route, but I eventually figured out, by consulting the posted route map and my printed out schedules, that each bus route pulls up to a stop posted with a letter of the alphabet.
Bus route #10 took off from the Alvarado around 9:30am (the Park and Ride arrived around 9:10am, which gave me time to use the bathroom in the Alvarado). I was worried about making the 10:02am connection for the #157 route, Montaño Road, but the driver dropped me off near 4th and Montaño about 9:50am. The deal was that if I missed the 10:02am bus, another wouldn't be along for 47 minutes and standing in the rain holding an umbrella and a big shopping bag just didn't seem to be the ticket! It's only 1.9 miles to REI per Mapquest from the corner of 4th St. and Montaño but the rain and the big golf umbrella complicated things.
REI wasn't too productive a stop as I couldn't find some things (out of stock) and the shoes that I was trying to exchange for were road running shoes instead of the trail running shoes that I wanted. Turns out that Asics makes the GT 2130 in both trail and road running versions. I didn't make it clear when paid for the shoes over the phone that I wanted the trail running version. I tried on a stack of shoes but none of them were quite right. I'm ordering some Brooks in a larger size than the ones they had in the store and we'll see how that works. REI must think I have some kind of strange shoe fetish where I like to order shoes and immediately return them! I ended up buying six pairs of the black polyester gloves I wear for $8.83 each - they're usually $12. Spouse bought yet another shirt. He says a lot of his are tight. Well, I'm not surprised! : )
After REI, we went to Whole Foods. I bought some broccoli, cantaloupes, baby carrots, tomatoes on the vine, bananas and avocados. I love to buy and eat lots of colorful produce! Lunch was yellowtail avocado sushi which I ate on the car ride home.
We both were surprised that the Jemez had gotten snow Wednesday night. The mountains looked very pretty. I did my 4 miles on the La Mesa Trail and walking to the library. I saw a beautiful pink sunset. My left leg got stiff and the sciatica or whatever it is acted up.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Beautiful Rain
I woke up around 9am but then again, I didn't go to sleep until after 1am so that's not excessive. I didn't finish breakfast/lunch until 12:30pm. I finally decided on the Sungrubbies.com order, returning the UV Big Brella because it's so hard to close and not really very windproof. I ordered a replacement sun hat for daughter because she lost hers recently and a Golf UV Brella. It's huge - 60" in diameter. It's a stick umbrella that manually opens and closes so it should be easier to use than the Big Brella.
I don't know why in the world the Dr. Church wanted the foot and ankle x-rays delivered to him today. They took 5 x-rays of my foot and ankle in various positions. The triage nurse, said to get the preliminary results and the x-rays on a disc to the doctor right after I had them done. I did but he said he couldn't really see the x-rays on the disc - something about how his laptop computer screen was. I'll get the final results on Friday but the preliminary report says that I will live. Dr. Church gets a little excited! : )
I didn't get done at MANNM until 3:30pm and I was determined to get my exercise done during the day since I have to get up so early tomorrow morning to catch the Park and Ride to Albuquerque. I went to FR181 and got my 4 miles done in a splendid 1 hour and 15 minutes. I say splendid because while I was wasting time getting exposed to x-rays, it rained and everything on FR181 looked rinsed-clean-new. It reminded me so much of another walk along FR181 taken on a rainy day. There were little islands of innocent green young aspens, loads of Wooton's Senecio, a patch of red columbine and of golden smoke. I really liked the contrast of the sweet, new green of the aspens against the reddish colors of last year's oak and shrubs along with the golden grass. To top off everything, the sky alternated between clouds and sunshine and drizzling raindrops which really made the atmosphere beautiful.
I don't know why in the world the Dr. Church wanted the foot and ankle x-rays delivered to him today. They took 5 x-rays of my foot and ankle in various positions. The triage nurse, said to get the preliminary results and the x-rays on a disc to the doctor right after I had them done. I did but he said he couldn't really see the x-rays on the disc - something about how his laptop computer screen was. I'll get the final results on Friday but the preliminary report says that I will live. Dr. Church gets a little excited! : )
I didn't get done at MANNM until 3:30pm and I was determined to get my exercise done during the day since I have to get up so early tomorrow morning to catch the Park and Ride to Albuquerque. I went to FR181 and got my 4 miles done in a splendid 1 hour and 15 minutes. I say splendid because while I was wasting time getting exposed to x-rays, it rained and everything on FR181 looked rinsed-clean-new. It reminded me so much of another walk along FR181 taken on a rainy day. There were little islands of innocent green young aspens, loads of Wooton's Senecio, a patch of red columbine and of golden smoke. I really liked the contrast of the sweet, new green of the aspens against the reddish colors of last year's oak and shrubs along with the golden grass. To top off everything, the sky alternated between clouds and sunshine and drizzling raindrops which really made the atmosphere beautiful.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)