May have to go soon to pick up spouse at Reel Deal. He's there with grandson watching Wall-E. Before that, we went with grandson to Ponderosa Campground and walked out to the Indiana Jones Booby Trap Hideout Knoll.Grandson and spouse had a picnic while I walked out past Witch's Broom Tree and back for my 4 miles. They got back to the car just 10 minutes before I got back. Grandson remodeled and moved the Indiana Jones Booby Trap Hideout.
I saw a dried up elk or deer skin off but near the main Escobas Mesa Trail. The only bone around was a foreleg bone. Seemed strange.
The new Kelty backpack is lovely but it hits my hip just like my old one does and after a while it made my left shoulder ache. I need to try to adjust it. I really like all the extra room it has but that means that anything I carry falls to the bottom and it's not comfortable on my hip.
Friday night the skies cleared just enough for me to see this celestial line-up in the southern skies: Jupiter, Sagittarius (Tea-kettle), Cat Eyes, and Scorpio. What a beautiful sight they all were. Stargazer says a real light show is coming up for July 4th which will include Mars, Saturn, Regulus (I'm unsure on that but it's whatever one is in Leo the Lion), and the crescent moon!
Saw Lee today at the library. She was out with her boyfriend - George? He's such a gentleman. I saw him walk around to let her in the car. I guess that could get tired to me after a while. She's not hiking because she's been having some nosebleeds.
Yesterday was Santa Fe and there wasn't much leftover time.
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Tidbits of Minutiae Written at Breakneck Speed
While waiting for Wednesday's hike to begin, I mentioned that ticks seemed non-existent this year. Faye piped up that when she came in from gardening last week she discovered one of the tiny deer ticks on her. David came up to Emily before the hike to ask about if pliers and wire were needed to cut and repair the fence and said he had some; but Emily, wise girl that she is, figured that any fence could be handily scaled. Leon had started ahead of the group because he's very slow and he waited at the fence for us. His arms are like thin sticks. There were 22 paying customers and 24 people total. Two were planning to turn around ( and did well before the Big Ditch) to drive two more cars up to the Valle Grande trailhead to shuttle hikers back down. One of the paying customers also turned around. There was a couple - maybe the Quinns - that had lived in White Rock but now are living in Hong Kong and will be in the area until sometime in August. We started hiking sometime after 9am and got back to the Valle Grande trailhead a little before 4pm. Leon ran out of water a near the bottom of the Valle Grande trailhead and someone shared with him. On the way up to the cars, Renate begged for some plain water because all she had left was water that she had mixed with some evil sports drink that she said made her sick to her stomach. I gave my email address to Annette to hopefully be put on the list of people that receive info on where the WI go each week. Ginny sends the emails out but she seemed unenthused about adding another email. The group tended to shelter in the shade of conifers while they were traversing the inner sanctum of the Valle Grande. There's a lot of Jacob's Ladder growing in Valle Canyon. In the caldera, we could see elk in the distance to the west. Annette has done some trespassing up into Valle Canyon. Also once she and some others walked up to Cerro Grande from along the fence line beginning in Valle Canyon. Leon commented wistfully that he had forgotten how beautiful Valle Canyon was. That's all the minutiae I can think of right now.
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Why Can't I Be As Strong As a Chimpanzee??
Don't know if a mentioned that (the preface "Dear Diary" is implied and assumed but it could as easily be "Dear Daughter"!) when I walk in the evening, I like to stop at East Park and do pullups on the bar over the entrance to what used to be the tennis court. Since I've been reading Next of Kin by Roger Fouts, about the American Sign Language (ASL) communicating chimpanzee Washoe and her family of humans and other chimps, I've been wondering why I can't be as strong as a chimpanzee. Toward partially achieving this, I'm trying to learn to hang one-armed from the bar or the nearby children's jungle gym as I think that would strengthen my arms. Not very successful yet as I can only put weight on one arm if both feet are on the ground but maybe if I keep trying I'll build up enough strength to do it.
This evening I tried to apply what I read on the Internet about Chi Walking which is to lean slightly forward and let gravity help with the forward motion. Also, you're not supposed to land on your heels and push off on your toes but rather you land in a mid-foot strike. I'd need to take a workshop to really learn how to do it but the concepts I've read so far on the Chi Running (includes Chi Walking) website are very interesting.
This evening I tried to apply what I read on the Internet about Chi Walking which is to lean slightly forward and let gravity help with the forward motion. Also, you're not supposed to land on your heels and push off on your toes but rather you land in a mid-foot strike. I'd need to take a workshop to really learn how to do it but the concepts I've read so far on the Chi Running (includes Chi Walking) website are very interesting.
Much Time Spent on Computer Today
fHere I am - all alone. I'm glad no perverts are reading this!! : ) I'm not sure that I'd be cut out for the single life. I need company even if it's only someone snoring on the couch while the TV is blaring. Guess I'm a social chimpanzee!! Yeah, did you realize that all this blather is really being authored by a talking chimp!!
Daughter was going to go camping but they couldn't find any campground in the Jemez that wasn't all filled up. Son in law wanted them to camp at a non-designated spot but daughter hadn't brought along any toilet paper so they came back home after much frustrating hunting for a spot. Grandson was disappointed so son in law was setting up a small tent in grandson's bedroom. That's sweet!!
Today I fruitlessly trolled the internet on such topics as chi running (Google Danny Dryer Blog) and an article"How to Keep Your Feet Happy" that I heard on NPR the other day. One page led to another and another.
Oh, yes, I spent way too much time waiting for pages to load on REI's newly revamped website. I finally called REI and after I whined (gave helpful input) regarding the slowness of their website, I ordered some of the Nalgene BPA free water bottles in slate blue. The store in Albuquerque sold them in Koolaid Red but I'm happier to get blue ones so I can pretend I'm drinking melted blue popsicles - remember those? The whole point of making an order was that DealCatcher.com sent me a link to a deal at REI where if I order anything Kelty I get free shipping on my whole order. It took probably more than an hour waiting for pages to load in Firefox while I read health articles in Safari before I finally decided on a Kelty day pack and the Nalgene bottles. I need a new backpack because my old one leaks - I have to line it with a plastic trash bag - and it also litters my Nalgene water bottles all over the forest. I will never, ever wash my new water bottles in the dishwasher as I lazily did with my milky white, number 2 plastic Nalgene bottles. I read that even the safe plastic ones can leach if they are washed in the dishwasher or get too nicked up.
Since everyone knows that REI stands for Return Every Item, I know that if the backpack arrives and is unsatisfactory, I'll be no worse off than I was but maybe, just maybe, it might be just right for me. I ordered it in chile green and black. The other choices were all black and electric blue and black. I thought that perhaps the green will blend in better when I trespass in the Valles Caldera National Preserve. Thinking about it now, I bet I should have ordered the all black. The green didn't look electric on the website but it may turn out to be very bright. I also think it's prettier and very few of my hikes are trespassing anyway. Can't wait until REI opens up August 15 in Santa Fe! It's much better to pick out a backpack in person and returns will be so much easier than driving to Albuquerque.
BTW, I heard some thunder today but no rain happened. Would have been a perfect day to go to Las Conchas. At least I know I'll go one day when Dorothy and I go.
Will go out to walk my four miles and listen to Prairie Home Companion now.
Daughter was going to go camping but they couldn't find any campground in the Jemez that wasn't all filled up. Son in law wanted them to camp at a non-designated spot but daughter hadn't brought along any toilet paper so they came back home after much frustrating hunting for a spot. Grandson was disappointed so son in law was setting up a small tent in grandson's bedroom. That's sweet!!
Today I fruitlessly trolled the internet on such topics as chi running (Google Danny Dryer Blog) and an article"How to Keep Your Feet Happy" that I heard on NPR the other day. One page led to another and another.
Oh, yes, I spent way too much time waiting for pages to load on REI's newly revamped website. I finally called REI and after I whined (gave helpful input) regarding the slowness of their website, I ordered some of the Nalgene BPA free water bottles in slate blue. The store in Albuquerque sold them in Koolaid Red but I'm happier to get blue ones so I can pretend I'm drinking melted blue popsicles - remember those? The whole point of making an order was that DealCatcher.com sent me a link to a deal at REI where if I order anything Kelty I get free shipping on my whole order. It took probably more than an hour waiting for pages to load in Firefox while I read health articles in Safari before I finally decided on a Kelty day pack and the Nalgene bottles. I need a new backpack because my old one leaks - I have to line it with a plastic trash bag - and it also litters my Nalgene water bottles all over the forest. I will never, ever wash my new water bottles in the dishwasher as I lazily did with my milky white, number 2 plastic Nalgene bottles. I read that even the safe plastic ones can leach if they are washed in the dishwasher or get too nicked up.
Since everyone knows that REI stands for Return Every Item, I know that if the backpack arrives and is unsatisfactory, I'll be no worse off than I was but maybe, just maybe, it might be just right for me. I ordered it in chile green and black. The other choices were all black and electric blue and black. I thought that perhaps the green will blend in better when I trespass in the Valles Caldera National Preserve. Thinking about it now, I bet I should have ordered the all black. The green didn't look electric on the website but it may turn out to be very bright. I also think it's prettier and very few of my hikes are trespassing anyway. Can't wait until REI opens up August 15 in Santa Fe! It's much better to pick out a backpack in person and returns will be so much easier than driving to Albuquerque.
BTW, I heard some thunder today but no rain happened. Would have been a perfect day to go to Las Conchas. At least I know I'll go one day when Dorothy and I go.
Will go out to walk my four miles and listen to Prairie Home Companion now.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Glad I Went on Hike
We started downhill from the Sandoval-Los Alamos County Line in Bandelier National Monument toward the Apache Springs Trail. There were 9 people. Total walked was a little over 7 miles. First part of hike was in woods and it wasn't too hot. Lunch was in the trees at American Springs. You could call it a Springs Hike because we saw Apache Springs and American Springs although Robin and I were the only ones who bothered to take a gander at American Springs. The pink and rose colored NM locusts were blooming heavily along the Apache Springs Trail and FR181/American Springs Road - now is their time!! Some of us commented on the haze to the east and our leaders said their water glass was "sweating" this morning. Was it haze or moisture to the east or was the poor visibility due to a wildfire somewhere in Colorado?
Jim says there was a sawmill in the meadow east of American Springs. That's the same area that I explored one year. Even though there wasn't any shade along FR181/American Springs Road, I really wasn't too hot. Around the trail/old road going up toward Tick Meadow, I saw bear tracks and showed them to the group. They enjoyed studying them. We got back in the trees on the Perimeter Trail.
Going along the Perimeter Trail, Jim wanted to show the group an overlook of S Site above the twin water tanks. He took us to an area that looked familiar and it may have been near the FR181 Shortcut Trail. Later, he saw another overlook right before we go down into Valle Canyon and said he had meant to take us to that one.
I had never noticed how the fireline/firebreak coming over from FR181/American Springs Road/FR2997 intersects the Perimeter Trail right before you go down to the ledge that's above Valle Canyon. Anyway, Don and Chuck had went way ahead as usual. Our leaders hadn't made it down to the overlook but continued on the Perimeter Trail toward Valle Canyon and the rest of us were trucking along behind Jim when he decided to take the fireline/firebreak, bypassing the cairned Perimeter Trail. I had at first assumed that perhaps he knew a different way down to the last ledge before the Perimeter Trail dropped into Valle Canyon; but very quickly he thought better of his course of action and bushwhacked downhill to get back on the Perimeter Trail. My left leg was mildly protesting so I said I'd go back to the trail intersection but I stupidly neglected to tell Rich, Robin, and Norm that the trail intersection I was going back to was the Perimeter Trail which would take us back to Valle Canyon. No one followed me or Jim because I think they had lost all confidence in Jim as a leader and never had any in me, plus they weren't familiar with the Perimeter Trail. Rich, Robin, and Norm all continued on the fireline/firebreak trail. When I saw that Jim had gone back up the hill to look for the three, I backtracked on the Perimeter Trail back up to the fireline/firebreak and whoo-ed loudly for the disappeared hikers. When they showed up a short time later they said they didn't hear me but at least it gave my vocal cords some exercise. They showed up just as Jim was going to wait there for them while I was going to go back to tell the group the news.
Two bikers overtook the group in Valle Canyon and all we could hear behind us was their tires on the rocks and gravel but the bikers gave no verbal warning. I didn't know what in the world that noise was! The 4 wheel driver we saw on FR181 was very considerate and slowed down so as not to create too much dust. I think that the bikers assumed that the noise their tires made were sufficient warning. I wonder who has put in small wooden elevation signs in Valle Canyon? When we all got back to Jim's truck at the Valle Canyon trailhead, which he fortunately had left unlocked so hikers could help themselves to soda, I took the two drivers up to their car and called it a good day and a good hike.
Picked up spouse's prescs afterwards. Have to put new registration tag on my car this evening and write some bills to put out in tomorrow's mail. Starving - will have another big salad this evening - can hardly wait to eat!!
Jim says there was a sawmill in the meadow east of American Springs. That's the same area that I explored one year. Even though there wasn't any shade along FR181/American Springs Road, I really wasn't too hot. Around the trail/old road going up toward Tick Meadow, I saw bear tracks and showed them to the group. They enjoyed studying them. We got back in the trees on the Perimeter Trail.
Going along the Perimeter Trail, Jim wanted to show the group an overlook of S Site above the twin water tanks. He took us to an area that looked familiar and it may have been near the FR181 Shortcut Trail. Later, he saw another overlook right before we go down into Valle Canyon and said he had meant to take us to that one.
I had never noticed how the fireline/firebreak coming over from FR181/American Springs Road/FR2997 intersects the Perimeter Trail right before you go down to the ledge that's above Valle Canyon. Anyway, Don and Chuck had went way ahead as usual. Our leaders hadn't made it down to the overlook but continued on the Perimeter Trail toward Valle Canyon and the rest of us were trucking along behind Jim when he decided to take the fireline/firebreak, bypassing the cairned Perimeter Trail. I had at first assumed that perhaps he knew a different way down to the last ledge before the Perimeter Trail dropped into Valle Canyon; but very quickly he thought better of his course of action and bushwhacked downhill to get back on the Perimeter Trail. My left leg was mildly protesting so I said I'd go back to the trail intersection but I stupidly neglected to tell Rich, Robin, and Norm that the trail intersection I was going back to was the Perimeter Trail which would take us back to Valle Canyon. No one followed me or Jim because I think they had lost all confidence in Jim as a leader and never had any in me, plus they weren't familiar with the Perimeter Trail. Rich, Robin, and Norm all continued on the fireline/firebreak trail. When I saw that Jim had gone back up the hill to look for the three, I backtracked on the Perimeter Trail back up to the fireline/firebreak and whoo-ed loudly for the disappeared hikers. When they showed up a short time later they said they didn't hear me but at least it gave my vocal cords some exercise. They showed up just as Jim was going to wait there for them while I was going to go back to tell the group the news.
Two bikers overtook the group in Valle Canyon and all we could hear behind us was their tires on the rocks and gravel but the bikers gave no verbal warning. I didn't know what in the world that noise was! The 4 wheel driver we saw on FR181 was very considerate and slowed down so as not to create too much dust. I think that the bikers assumed that the noise their tires made were sufficient warning. I wonder who has put in small wooden elevation signs in Valle Canyon? When we all got back to Jim's truck at the Valle Canyon trailhead, which he fortunately had left unlocked so hikers could help themselves to soda, I took the two drivers up to their car and called it a good day and a good hike.
Picked up spouse's prescs afterwards. Have to put new registration tag on my car this evening and write some bills to put out in tomorrow's mail. Starving - will have another big salad this evening - can hardly wait to eat!!
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Full Moon Night
Walked on Mesa Trail and downtown to library. Listened to Cher's Heart of Stone cassette and admired full moon through gauzy curtain of clouds and framed by tall poplars. Wore Everyday Nike Frees and they seem OK. Have to accelerate this shoe-checking and decide which ones to keep and which to return. Asics seems a keeper, Nike Vomero hurts my heel spur but I need to try it a few more times, the Nike Everyday Free and Nike Free seem surprisingly comfortable.
Finally disputed with credit bureaus the closed accounts that are listed as open. Was a combination of speaking to real people, snail mailing, using an online form, and using an automated phone menu. They'll ask the sources to verify the information they provided.
On Monday, Dorothy was checking out with her binocs, as was I, to see if there were any naked bods to be seen in San Antonio Hot Springs from our aerie lunch perch above the cliffs on the Valles Caldera west rim. She told me some stories about when she took life drawing classes at Fuller Lodge Art Center.
Waiting to hear estimate from SF roofing company, Brian McPartlon Roofing, on recaulking and reflashing our leaky furnace vent pipe. The estimator took digital photos of the vent pipe on which to base the estimate. I was impressed that he showed up for the 9am appointment. LP Roofing, who replaced our roof 13 years ago and came out twice to try to patch the leak, has never called back to set up a time.
I'm looking forward to tomorrow's hiking adventure with the LL group. It will be a hot one but I need company after staying inside and on the phone for most of the day. Thursday I'd like to explore Las Conchas again. I may decide to go up the way I went up last Friday just because it's shorter than walking in from Corral Canyon or Peralta Road. I'd like to also explore the old road and trail at the bottom of the hill. Could be that I won't get back up to Las Conchas on Thursday but exploring the trails at the bottom will be satisfying too. Guess I'll give up for now on ever having a hiking partner other than Dorothy once a week. I had always hoped that I could hike with daughter but she's a very busy lady. Spouse is working too hard and out of shape anyhow. Alice, next door neighbor, has possibilities but I can't imagine her wanting to go up Las Conchas. Maybe if I wait long enough , our grandson would want to hike with me. At least I can get some human company in the meantime by going on some group hikes.
Finally disputed with credit bureaus the closed accounts that are listed as open. Was a combination of speaking to real people, snail mailing, using an online form, and using an automated phone menu. They'll ask the sources to verify the information they provided.
On Monday, Dorothy was checking out with her binocs, as was I, to see if there were any naked bods to be seen in San Antonio Hot Springs from our aerie lunch perch above the cliffs on the Valles Caldera west rim. She told me some stories about when she took life drawing classes at Fuller Lodge Art Center.
Waiting to hear estimate from SF roofing company, Brian McPartlon Roofing, on recaulking and reflashing our leaky furnace vent pipe. The estimator took digital photos of the vent pipe on which to base the estimate. I was impressed that he showed up for the 9am appointment. LP Roofing, who replaced our roof 13 years ago and came out twice to try to patch the leak, has never called back to set up a time.
I'm looking forward to tomorrow's hiking adventure with the LL group. It will be a hot one but I need company after staying inside and on the phone for most of the day. Thursday I'd like to explore Las Conchas again. I may decide to go up the way I went up last Friday just because it's shorter than walking in from Corral Canyon or Peralta Road. I'd like to also explore the old road and trail at the bottom of the hill. Could be that I won't get back up to Las Conchas on Thursday but exploring the trails at the bottom will be satisfying too. Guess I'll give up for now on ever having a hiking partner other than Dorothy once a week. I had always hoped that I could hike with daughter but she's a very busy lady. Spouse is working too hard and out of shape anyhow. Alice, next door neighbor, has possibilities but I can't imagine her wanting to go up Las Conchas. Maybe if I wait long enough , our grandson would want to hike with me. At least I can get some human company in the meantime by going on some group hikes.
Sunday, June 15, 2008
87 Degrees - In the House
A bit hot, I'd say. I have a huge box fan, on high, blowing at me from about 8' away. Makes it bearable.
I think that the round, red rash on top of my right shoulder is from where there was a hole in my Cabela cotton canvas shirt right over the rash. I sometimes get rashes from sun exposure. I've now switched to one of my new Cabela shirts. The old one went into the rag box in the closet. I may scavenge the buttons one day.
The Nike Vomero's seem to hurt my heel spur. I'll try them a bit more. Need to decide on all 4 shoes from the Roadrunner Sports order by end of July.
Made progress on credit reports. Need to call some credit card companies on Tuesday to check on some of the alleged open accounts that we have no record of. Appears to be no fraud but just perhaps closed accounts that are not indicated as such.
Need to buy a cabin in Salida but first need to find out if change of station will happen. Would like to move into a smaller, newer house (condo or townhouse) in Los Alamos and have a cabin in Salida as well. Dreams!
I think that the round, red rash on top of my right shoulder is from where there was a hole in my Cabela cotton canvas shirt right over the rash. I sometimes get rashes from sun exposure. I've now switched to one of my new Cabela shirts. The old one went into the rag box in the closet. I may scavenge the buttons one day.
The Nike Vomero's seem to hurt my heel spur. I'll try them a bit more. Need to decide on all 4 shoes from the Roadrunner Sports order by end of July.
Made progress on credit reports. Need to call some credit card companies on Tuesday to check on some of the alleged open accounts that we have no record of. Appears to be no fraud but just perhaps closed accounts that are not indicated as such.
Need to buy a cabin in Salida but first need to find out if change of station will happen. Would like to move into a smaller, newer house (condo or townhouse) in Los Alamos and have a cabin in Salida as well. Dreams!
Cañada Bonita Meadow
Spouse and I walked to Cañada Bonita Meadow today from Pajarito Ski Area. Pretty day with blue clouds, lots of green trees and vegetation and some white clouds coming in.
Starving - have to eat supper.
Starving - have to eat supper.
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Lower Water Canyon
A few thoughts about the way I feel about Colleen, the VCNP dendroglyph project coordinator. I've read that people often feel repelled by their shadow. I wonder if part of how I feel about her is that I see myself in her. Here's some ways I can think of that we're alike - controlling, honest to a fault, high strung, eager to please and to have others like us. I dropped off the VCNP Visitor Map to her this morning and invited her to go on a hike instead of cleaning up her desk but she wasn't really ready to do that.
When I looked up and saw the Jemez all swathed in white mist and the winds were hellishly blowing and snow and rain were swirling around downtown, I gave up my plans to go up to FR181 and went down to White Rock instead. I was the only one hiking in on the lower Water Canyon trail. I went just past the saddle between Water and Potrillo Canyons and then turned around. The funny thing about my decision to go down to the milder climes of White Rock is that I could look over at the Jemez and the clouds had lifted above the mountains. I bet it would have been fine on FR181. I wish that I could have shown someone the ruby-peach colored domestic irises that I saw growing in Water Canyon today. They were on the right side of the trail, going out, where you first start to see a small arroyo on your right.
I was testing the Nike Free shoes today. One thing I notice is that I really slap my feet down hard. Jolie Bookspan, The Fitness Fixer, says that you don't notice how heavy footed you are in cushioned shoes. I think that's true. The Nike Frees are like walking in bedroom slippers and I really notice that I'm pounding my heels into the ground. I read about the Bones for Life program in Bookspan's blog and it's related to Feldenkrais so I got a few books on Feldenkrais from the library to try to learn more.
One comment about my extraordinary aerobic conditioning in going up the final pitch on Tschicoma yesterday, I didn't see any evidence of that on today's walk. That makes me wonder if the CoQ 10 that I took Tuesday morning was what made going up Tschicoma so effortless? I was only planning to take it once a week but maybe I should try twice a week. I hate to get hooked on taking it but maybe I'm low in it and that's why it had such a dramatic effect. I wonder also if the extra vitamin D had anything to do with yesterday's performance or with how my foot pain seems mostly gone?
When I looked up and saw the Jemez all swathed in white mist and the winds were hellishly blowing and snow and rain were swirling around downtown, I gave up my plans to go up to FR181 and went down to White Rock instead. I was the only one hiking in on the lower Water Canyon trail. I went just past the saddle between Water and Potrillo Canyons and then turned around. The funny thing about my decision to go down to the milder climes of White Rock is that I could look over at the Jemez and the clouds had lifted above the mountains. I bet it would have been fine on FR181. I wish that I could have shown someone the ruby-peach colored domestic irises that I saw growing in Water Canyon today. They were on the right side of the trail, going out, where you first start to see a small arroyo on your right.
I was testing the Nike Free shoes today. One thing I notice is that I really slap my feet down hard. Jolie Bookspan, The Fitness Fixer, says that you don't notice how heavy footed you are in cushioned shoes. I think that's true. The Nike Frees are like walking in bedroom slippers and I really notice that I'm pounding my heels into the ground. I read about the Bones for Life program in Bookspan's blog and it's related to Feldenkrais so I got a few books on Feldenkrais from the library to try to learn more.
One comment about my extraordinary aerobic conditioning in going up the final pitch on Tschicoma yesterday, I didn't see any evidence of that on today's walk. That makes me wonder if the CoQ 10 that I took Tuesday morning was what made going up Tschicoma so effortless? I was only planning to take it once a week but maybe I should try twice a week. I hate to get hooked on taking it but maybe I'm low in it and that's why it had such a dramatic effect. I wonder also if the extra vitamin D had anything to do with yesterday's performance or with how my foot pain seems mostly gone?
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
FR144 Was So Beautiful
In trying to speed blog, I forgot totally to mention how utterly beautiful the country was today that we traveled through. I'm getting tired and still need to stretch but I want to say a few words. Along FR144, it's mostly at 10,ooo' and above and you really get the feeling of being in a high altitude alpine setting. It's cooler up there for one thing. Other than lots of dandelions I didn't notice a whole lot of other flowers because it's still early. The dandelions are stunted at that altitude - the flowers and leaves are smaller and give the plant the delicacy and the beauty of a true wildflower and not just a domestic, hated weed. The effect of a meadow carpeted with emerald green grass and speckled by short, yellow dandelions is a happy one. The spruce and fir forest is quite captivating even when just seen while driving along the road. Everywhere there are meadows that invite you to stop and explore their secrets. Aspen are plentiful and the place puts on a magical, golden extravaganza in the fall.
From both sides of Tschicoma there are beautiful views - the Jemez Mountains and Valles Caldera toward the south and west and the Nacimientos, Pedernal, Polvadera and Ghost Ranch country toward the west and north. For that matter, the views from all along FR144 are spectacular as well. It's really a Rocky Mountain high experience but without driving up to Colorado!
From both sides of Tschicoma there are beautiful views - the Jemez Mountains and Valles Caldera toward the south and west and the Nacimientos, Pedernal, Polvadera and Ghost Ranch country toward the west and north. For that matter, the views from all along FR144 are spectacular as well. It's really a Rocky Mountain high experience but without driving up to Colorado!
Daughter Dropped By Tonight
I forgot to mention that daughter called and asked if I'd watch grandson for a half hour while she exercised. I wasn't wanting to go out so I invited her to bring him over here. She brought over the Speed Racer DVD that he was watching and he was content to watch that and look at some kid's magazines I had found in the non-return box of Mesa Public Library's lobby. His face had been painted today at Y camp but it was mostly smeared off. He took home the Boy's Life which he really likes. I went throught the pile of books that I had found for him and determined that most of them are not easy readers so I'll dump them back in the library lobby tomorrow. The Clarks sandals that I gave her fit. They were hardly ever used and too tight on me. I'm happy that they fit her.
Norm's talk at Livermore went well yesterday. He comes home tomorrow, is home a week, and then goes back east to use up a free airplane ticket. He'll see a Yankees baseball game with his brother Andy. He may know more next week about the change of station.
Norm's talk at Livermore went well yesterday. He comes home tomorrow, is home a week, and then goes back east to use up a free airplane ticket. He'll see a Yankees baseball game with his brother Andy. He may know more next week about the change of station.
Tschicoma Trip
Gonna try to speed type this one. Twelve hikers. FR144 road conditions from Española very good. Saw evidence of wood debris in places across road that indicated a fallen tree had been cut up and removed. No snow on the road. On walk to Tschicoma, encountered some remnant snow drifts in the woods but followed in other's footsteps and didn't sink in or slip. On final steep uphill on Tschicoma I was amazed that I wasn't huffing and puffing but felt very strong. I wonder if the iron pills are helping but I also doubled the amount of B12 and added one more folic acid tablet a week. Whatever the case, I was pleased. I had been in the last group in the woods because it's tricky getting around and over the snowbanks and fallen, twisted, tangled heaps of trees but once we broke out in the open, I decided to go for some elevated heart rate and my heart cooperated!! The Asics Gel Nimbus, while not the ideal shoe for off trail hiking as it's a road running shoe, worked perfectly since they're brand new and the tread isn't at all worn down. Funny thing is that those shoes killed my feet on the Bayo Canyon/Fireline walk (didn't use the Hapad Comf Orthotic insoles) and on an evening walk downtown (did use the insoles and did use them today too). My foot felt 100% normal today and even the heel spur didn't pain me.
We all went to the south side of Tschicoma to look at the views but no one wanted to eat there because it was windy although there was a spot that was out of the wind and warmer yet had views. They all ate in the trees on the hillside beneath the trails leading east from the top of Tschicoma. I took one look at the official lunch spot and decided that I'd be happier eating on the side that has the views of Polvadera and Pedernal. I wanted to be visible so I'd see when they started down. The wind didn't bother me but eating without views would have.
On the long drive home (we went back via FR99 to Youngsville), the guys I rode with got into discussing politics. They seemed mostly to be staunch Republicans. At one point they said they dreaded having the Democrats get into office and spending like crazy and running up deficits. I piped up that when Clinton left office, there was no deficit. They countered that he didn't have the expenses of a war. I think I made my point well. Later, Jim that his dog would make a better VP candidate than Hillary but I kept my mouth shut and didn't laugh at the comment. I mostly tried to stay out of it and when they mentioned disappointment about Heather Wilson's loss to Steve Pearce I didn't tell them how much I hoped Udall would win.
Last night I only got 6 hours of sleep again - 12:30-6:30am. Before the alarm rang, I was dreaming of living in a condo and I was so happy because I didn't have a yard, it was newer, and I had less house maintenance to do. But, I felt sad that we had to leave our neighbors whose girls our daughter played with as she grew up.
Also, I had this thought about last night's dendro meeting. I am so lucky that I have gotten to know more about the Valles Caldera from the people I've been around on the VCNP rim trail project. I can tell that the dendro people mostly haven't gotten to be around the caldera as much as I have. I feel very privileged and grateful.
We all went to the south side of Tschicoma to look at the views but no one wanted to eat there because it was windy although there was a spot that was out of the wind and warmer yet had views. They all ate in the trees on the hillside beneath the trails leading east from the top of Tschicoma. I took one look at the official lunch spot and decided that I'd be happier eating on the side that has the views of Polvadera and Pedernal. I wanted to be visible so I'd see when they started down. The wind didn't bother me but eating without views would have.
On the long drive home (we went back via FR99 to Youngsville), the guys I rode with got into discussing politics. They seemed mostly to be staunch Republicans. At one point they said they dreaded having the Democrats get into office and spending like crazy and running up deficits. I piped up that when Clinton left office, there was no deficit. They countered that he didn't have the expenses of a war. I think I made my point well. Later, Jim that his dog would make a better VP candidate than Hillary but I kept my mouth shut and didn't laugh at the comment. I mostly tried to stay out of it and when they mentioned disappointment about Heather Wilson's loss to Steve Pearce I didn't tell them how much I hoped Udall would win.
Last night I only got 6 hours of sleep again - 12:30-6:30am. Before the alarm rang, I was dreaming of living in a condo and I was so happy because I didn't have a yard, it was newer, and I had less house maintenance to do. But, I felt sad that we had to leave our neighbors whose girls our daughter played with as she grew up.
Also, I had this thought about last night's dendro meeting. I am so lucky that I have gotten to know more about the Valles Caldera from the people I've been around on the VCNP rim trail project. I can tell that the dendro people mostly haven't gotten to be around the caldera as much as I have. I feel very privileged and grateful.
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Savor the Shade
Went this afternoon up FR181 from West Jemez Road to intersection at meadow. There's now a fuelwood cutting area in that section called Valles 2. I passed a "roped" off area (using plain wire at chest level marked with red flags) on the west side of the road before FR2997 that has "Caution, Do Not Enter" signs posted - just a small area but have no idea why it's posted.
Pink flowers of NM locust were abundant. Such a pretty shrub but hard to walk through without bleeding a lot.
I did savor the wind and small spots of shade over the trail.
On yesterday's explore, I ate a violet flower and part of a violet leaf. The plant tastes good but I don't want to tear up violet patches to snack on them as they look much prettier growing on the ground. I also ate a dandelion flower because I heard they're edible. Ed, VCNP hiking buddy, says his mother loves to eat dandelion greens. He was hoping to gather some but the high altitude dandelions are very stingy with their greens. I told him that Whole Foods sells them and they are delicious in smoothies. I would like to find some dandelion blossoms that are unsprayed and use them in smoothies as they must be full of lutein and zeaxanthin. They tasted fine but I think they'd be best ground up in smoothies. NM locust flowers are edible also but I doubt they have as much carotenoids as the brightly colored dandelion flowers so I left all the locust flowers on the shrubs.
I am concluding that this was a very good year for people who hate ticks. I haven't seen a one so far. Nasty critters!!
Thankfully the dendroglyph meeting tonight was over before 8:30pm. I was getting dizzy from all the forms Colleen was handing out!! She is very sincere and sweet but I will reserve my opinion if I'm suited for this volunteer project until I've actually done it several times. I suspect that Archie, another of the team members, is a smoker as he went outside briefly and then came back inside. He grew up in the San Antonio cabin so he could be interesting to talk to.
Pink flowers of NM locust were abundant. Such a pretty shrub but hard to walk through without bleeding a lot.
I did savor the wind and small spots of shade over the trail.
On yesterday's explore, I ate a violet flower and part of a violet leaf. The plant tastes good but I don't want to tear up violet patches to snack on them as they look much prettier growing on the ground. I also ate a dandelion flower because I heard they're edible. Ed, VCNP hiking buddy, says his mother loves to eat dandelion greens. He was hoping to gather some but the high altitude dandelions are very stingy with their greens. I told him that Whole Foods sells them and they are delicious in smoothies. I would like to find some dandelion blossoms that are unsprayed and use them in smoothies as they must be full of lutein and zeaxanthin. They tasted fine but I think they'd be best ground up in smoothies. NM locust flowers are edible also but I doubt they have as much carotenoids as the brightly colored dandelion flowers so I left all the locust flowers on the shrubs.
I am concluding that this was a very good year for people who hate ticks. I haven't seen a one so far. Nasty critters!!
Thankfully the dendroglyph meeting tonight was over before 8:30pm. I was getting dizzy from all the forms Colleen was handing out!! She is very sincere and sweet but I will reserve my opinion if I'm suited for this volunteer project until I've actually done it several times. I suspect that Archie, another of the team members, is a smoker as he went outside briefly and then came back inside. He grew up in the San Antonio cabin so he could be interesting to talk to.
Hi Daughter,
I made my journal blog public if you'd like to get really bored:
Don't share it with anyone. I just wanted you to know the web address. For now, I'm much more consistent at keeping an online journal than I ever was at the composition book journals although you will find that there is a lot of those to read too (in a box in my bedroom closet)!
: )
Love,
Mom
I made my journal blog public if you'd like to get really bored:
Don't share it with anyone. I just wanted you to know the web address. For now, I'm much more consistent at keeping an online journal than I ever was at the composition book journals although you will find that there is a lot of those to read too (in a box in my bedroom closet)!
: )
Love,
Mom
I Need an Early to Rise Hiking Partner
OK, so it would help if I were early to rise too. I went to bed at 1:30am last night trying to catch up after being gone on the north rim all day and woke up naturally at 8am.
Anyhow...here's a few more hikes and explores I'd like to do one day. Other people want to travel the world but I'll be happy getting to know some local terrain.
Water Canyon Mesa loop and explores of all trails between Pajarito Acres and Water Canyon
Pajarito Mountain to explore top of destroyed Pajarito Canyon Trail
Knife-edge to Pajarito Mountain
Cerro Grande's meadows beneath it's eastern arm
I called a few roofers this morning. Los Alamos Roofing could have come out today but I didn't want to be tied down so I said that Thursday would be good. LP roofing, the one who reroofed the house 13 years ago, will call me about looking at the problem. They tried to fix the leak after it was reroofed but weren't successful. I called Tower.com and they emailed me a label to return the defective yoga DVD. I called Don's Windows and Doors and they'll call back about the cost for a service call to replace one of our double pane windows that has moisture inside and that's still under warranty. OK, so I drop off the DVD at the post office, after I package it up, drop in at the library, and drop off at daughter's workplace some Envirokidz peanut butter bars I bought for grandson, and then finally I get to do my daily 4 miles and test the Asics Gel Nimbus some more. The New Balance 908's are OK but even with the Hapad Comf Orthotic, my heel spur hurts afterwards.
I have to email daughter that this is now an open blog and she's free to read it and get bored to death!! : )
Even though I'm tired I'm happy to be alive. The dendroglyph project meeting should be interesting this evening but, if I'm lucky, I may get to play hooky from the first session next Tuesday as Dorothy may get me invited on a field trip to see the Leese cabin on the VCNP!!
Anyhow...here's a few more hikes and explores I'd like to do one day. Other people want to travel the world but I'll be happy getting to know some local terrain.
Water Canyon Mesa loop and explores of all trails between Pajarito Acres and Water Canyon
Pajarito Mountain to explore top of destroyed Pajarito Canyon Trail
Knife-edge to Pajarito Mountain
Cerro Grande's meadows beneath it's eastern arm
I called a few roofers this morning. Los Alamos Roofing could have come out today but I didn't want to be tied down so I said that Thursday would be good. LP roofing, the one who reroofed the house 13 years ago, will call me about looking at the problem. They tried to fix the leak after it was reroofed but weren't successful. I called Tower.com and they emailed me a label to return the defective yoga DVD. I called Don's Windows and Doors and they'll call back about the cost for a service call to replace one of our double pane windows that has moisture inside and that's still under warranty. OK, so I drop off the DVD at the post office, after I package it up, drop in at the library, and drop off at daughter's workplace some Envirokidz peanut butter bars I bought for grandson, and then finally I get to do my daily 4 miles and test the Asics Gel Nimbus some more. The New Balance 908's are OK but even with the Hapad Comf Orthotic, my heel spur hurts afterwards.
I have to email daughter that this is now an open blog and she's free to read it and get bored to death!! : )
Even though I'm tired I'm happy to be alive. The dendroglyph project meeting should be interesting this evening but, if I'm lucky, I may get to play hooky from the first session next Tuesday as Dorothy may get me invited on a field trip to see the Leese cabin on the VCNP!!
Monday, June 2, 2008
North Rim Explore
Not sure how much I'll write tonight as it's late. Got up at 6:30am after only 6 hours of sleep. Was having horrible dreams of plumbing backups - had to pee. Felt like death warmed over but tea and cocoa powder revived me except was falling asleep on car ride home. Three of us went. One VCNP hiking partner drove around the northwest corner. We didn't get started back until around 4:30pm and I got back to the house around 7pm and didn't get on the computer until maybe 10pm. Still have to do stretches and put away dishes.
Tomorrow I will just do my 4 miles as expeditiously as possible because then Wednesday I want to go to the LL hike which will be on the north rim again - Tschicoma. And there is the dendroglyph meeting at 7pm tomorrow.
A few words about today's explore and the emphasis is on few as I can see I won't be going to bed before 1am at this rate.
Dorothy gave us a copy of the permission letter to the Valles Caldera National Preserve but it clearly states on it that there will be only two more trips on the north rim and that includes today's and next Monday's trips; yet, she wants us to find a road on the VCNP that goes from the Garita View over to the Hilton Gate - something like a straight shot superhighway if I understood her correctly. We're supposed to contact her ahead of time about any trips.
Promised few words about explore. What can I say - it was beautiful, much cooler than in the hot lowlands. We achieved Dorothy's objective of finding the row of cliffs she saw from the west rim and we ate lunch there, enjoying splendid views into Valle San Antonio. It was windy at our perch but a pleasant not an icy wind.
We saw some magenta colored Fairy Slippers - really pretty. I may have heard the Hermit Thrush's song. One of us spotted a tent located on the VCNP with big containers of water stored nearby.
We go next week to check out a milepost above the Rito de los Indios drainage. We waded through the upper reaches of the Rio Cebolla. I wasn't wearing Gore-Tex so my socks got a little damp and I discovered at lunch that to save a few ounces I had taken out my spare socks. I have put them back in. I bought a pair of Gore-Tex Merrells at REI but right now I have my hands full with trying to figure out which of the Roadrunner shoes work for my feet.
On the way home, everyone appreciated the snacks that I brought along. Next week I should bring drinks in a cooler as well as snacks.
Tomorrow I will just do my 4 miles as expeditiously as possible because then Wednesday I want to go to the LL hike which will be on the north rim again - Tschicoma. And there is the dendroglyph meeting at 7pm tomorrow.
A few words about today's explore and the emphasis is on few as I can see I won't be going to bed before 1am at this rate.
Dorothy gave us a copy of the permission letter to the Valles Caldera National Preserve but it clearly states on it that there will be only two more trips on the north rim and that includes today's and next Monday's trips; yet, she wants us to find a road on the VCNP that goes from the Garita View over to the Hilton Gate - something like a straight shot superhighway if I understood her correctly. We're supposed to contact her ahead of time about any trips.
Promised few words about explore. What can I say - it was beautiful, much cooler than in the hot lowlands. We achieved Dorothy's objective of finding the row of cliffs she saw from the west rim and we ate lunch there, enjoying splendid views into Valle San Antonio. It was windy at our perch but a pleasant not an icy wind.
We saw some magenta colored Fairy Slippers - really pretty. I may have heard the Hermit Thrush's song. One of us spotted a tent located on the VCNP with big containers of water stored nearby.
We go next week to check out a milepost above the Rito de los Indios drainage. We waded through the upper reaches of the Rio Cebolla. I wasn't wearing Gore-Tex so my socks got a little damp and I discovered at lunch that to save a few ounces I had taken out my spare socks. I have put them back in. I bought a pair of Gore-Tex Merrells at REI but right now I have my hands full with trying to figure out which of the Roadrunner shoes work for my feet.
On the way home, everyone appreciated the snacks that I brought along. Next week I should bring drinks in a cooler as well as snacks.
Sunday, June 1, 2008
Hungry Coyotes Roaming Downtown
I forgot to mention that I saw a coyote crossing north near the library from Central Avenue with something large and white in it's mouth. Whatever it was wasn't moving. The coyote was crossing from the library's east parking lot and through the Betty Ehart Senior Center's parking lot toward the senior condos.
Long Day and Ditto Tomorrow
Dropped spouse off at airport in Albuquerque for conference in Livermore. He'll be back late Thursday night and then we'll go together to the White Rock Senior Center hike in Cebolla Canyon.
An aside to put roof leak in perspective, Paul, a WRSC hiker, says that his roof has leaked around the skylight ever since he's had the house and that it seems to be getting worse. Someone else on the hike recommended Los Alamos Roofing - says they're expensive but good. They have a AAA rating and no complaints with Better Business Bureau.
Went to REI to pick up 2 shoes and bought 2 more. I'm going crazy with trying to find a pair of shoes that my feet like. Still evaluating the 4 from Roadrunner Sports - have 2 months to decide and forever to decide with REI but hopefully it won't take that long!!
Stopped at Santa Fe Place to return 2 pairs New Balance's that I bought online - too tight. It took quite a while for them to figure out how to make the return. Then on to Walmart to buy a new living room clock - spouse accidentally sat on the old one!! : ) Also bought toilet paper and laundry detergent. Wanted to buy wide mouth quart mason jars to store my powders for smoothies - wheat grass, spinach, rosehips, etc. - but they were out of stock.
Last stop was Vitamin Cottage. Organic Granny Smith apples way overpriced but I didn't realize price until checked out because price sign (produce manager) was missing. I needed them for my smoothies and they were out of red delicious.
Walked on Mesa Trail and downtown, listening to taped Prairie Home Companion Show - they were in Las Cruces for the show this week. Finally remembered to look up at Big Dipper's handle and follow its arc to Arcturus per Stargazer's advice!! Need to do stretches and get ready for bed.
An aside to put roof leak in perspective, Paul, a WRSC hiker, says that his roof has leaked around the skylight ever since he's had the house and that it seems to be getting worse. Someone else on the hike recommended Los Alamos Roofing - says they're expensive but good. They have a AAA rating and no complaints with Better Business Bureau.
Went to REI to pick up 2 shoes and bought 2 more. I'm going crazy with trying to find a pair of shoes that my feet like. Still evaluating the 4 from Roadrunner Sports - have 2 months to decide and forever to decide with REI but hopefully it won't take that long!!
Stopped at Santa Fe Place to return 2 pairs New Balance's that I bought online - too tight. It took quite a while for them to figure out how to make the return. Then on to Walmart to buy a new living room clock - spouse accidentally sat on the old one!! : ) Also bought toilet paper and laundry detergent. Wanted to buy wide mouth quart mason jars to store my powders for smoothies - wheat grass, spinach, rosehips, etc. - but they were out of stock.
Last stop was Vitamin Cottage. Organic Granny Smith apples way overpriced but I didn't realize price until checked out because price sign (produce manager) was missing. I needed them for my smoothies and they were out of red delicious.
Walked on Mesa Trail and downtown, listening to taped Prairie Home Companion Show - they were in Las Cruces for the show this week. Finally remembered to look up at Big Dipper's handle and follow its arc to Arcturus per Stargazer's advice!! Need to do stretches and get ready for bed.
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