Today I felt like a road walk so I went up Camp May Road to the first chain turnout. I studied the Quemazon Trail across Los Alamos Canyon as I walked up and wondered if anyone was on that trail. When I got across from the general area of the fire-destroyed Knapp Trail that climbs out of Los Alamos Canyon to the Quemazon Trail, I studied it also and wondered if anyone would ever try to rehabilitate the destroyed trail. The burnt hillside it went up is now a formidable obstacle course of oak and locust thickets and heavy downed timber. It's not something that anyone can count on the bicycling community to bring back because according to Craig Martin the trail was so steep and erosion such a problem that bicyclists were advised not to use it. As I recall the trail, I always felt in danger of falling off it so steep it was in places and with such a scrabbly tread.
I felt like a road walk for several reasons. The weather is changing - a snowstorm is coming in to the mountains tonight and tomorrow - and also because I needed to get back early to watch our grandson tonight while daughter finishes cleaning up the apartment they've moved out of. Last night grandson enjoyed watching a library DVD about traveling with kids in the Big Island of Hawaii. A couple and their 3 and 5 year old sons produce and star in it. It's a whole series and I checked out all of the ones the library has in its collection. The really entrancing thing about it is the kids seem surprisingly adept on-camera providing spot narration of the tourist attractions the family visits.
The road walk was pleasant. The ski hill cafe is closes and since skiing season has not started yet, traffic was sparse. At Memorial Corner, the winds did not disappoint. I wonder if they are coming from both the low area beneath the heights of Pajarito Mountain and also the Santo Domingo basin. I can clearly see all the way to Albuquerque from that area so it could be a confluence of winds.
On the curve below the Ocean, nasty Siberian elm trees are hanging over the guardrail forcing walkers further into the road's travel lane. I broke some of the offending limbs to prune them back.
I'm listening to a CD from the library - Diana Ross and the Supremes - The Definitive Collection. I like it!
This morning on Terry Gross's Fresh Air, Bob Dylan's Christmas CD was reviewed. All proceeds from it go to charity which is charitable of Bob! His voice is raspier than ever but I think the songs would probably grow on me. I've loved Bob Dylan's music from back when I was in high school. Listening to him as a teenager made me feel like such a rebel!
I'm stewing Black Mission Figs right now. I buy them dried and then decide that they not moist enough. Stewing should solve that! The stemless Turkish figs are much sweeter and moister.