I hiked with the 4-T hikers this morning. There were 14 of us but we ended up with twelve because two only went part way. We parked on the Dome Road and walked the Alamo Boundary Trail over to the Coyote Call loop. We took the lower part of the loop going out and the upper part going back. The views of the Valles Grande's grasslands were splendid. Even though Fall is not here yet, the day was cool so it felt fall-like. On the Alamo Boundary Trail, we saw lots of purple meadow gentian flowers (I call it star gentian.) There was nice shade on the Coyote Call loop.
The group could easily call themselves the 5-T's because there are so many retired teachers in the all-woman group. I hiked off and on with this group in the late 80's but their name was different then. The old timers that I knew don't hike anymore so it's an all new group except for one hiker who's been with the group since the late 80's.
On the drive to the trailhead, we saw 2 deer in the woods along the highway and saw 2 more running through the forest as we stood at the trailhead. The leader had us all stand in a circle to introduce ourselves and tell how long we had hiked with the group and if we intended to complete the entire hike today.
I spotted a young shaggy mane mushroom in the parking lot. Its condition was perfect but I didn't pick it since that's not allowed in Bandelier National Monument unless I plan to eat it on the spot.
This group doesn't stop for lunch but instead has a tradition of enjoying an extended snack around 10-10:30 am. I don't snack but felt comfortable sitting on the ground, listening to the conversations.
Afterward, when they dropped me off at the Back Gate, I drove over to Ponderosa Group Campground to use their outdoor privy. Then, I took off my sodden shoes and socks. Before changing into dry shoes and socks, I pulled out a wooden orange stick and used it to push back my cuticles since they were so nicely softened. Of course, several vehicles pulled up while I was doing this but pedicures in the national monument are probably legal! Not sure if showing huge, bare feet in public is though!