Tonight, I still have to read some newspapers, do my lower leg exercises, finish the last few pages of Walking Nature Home (by Susan J. Tweit - a great book that I enjoyed a lot), do my stretches, and check my email. I did my 4 miles at dusk on the Mesa Trail and back and forth to the airport. With 5 shirts and a jacket, I was toasty warm!
Today was such an ordinary day compared to yesterday's 7 mile adventure - down the Blue Dot to the Rio Grande, south on the River Trail, up the Red Dot, 1/2 mile on Piedra Loop to a short connector trail starting at La Senda Road and back on the White Rock Rim Trail. I drove home in the dark. Not easy when you're blinded by headlights of oncoming cars. I'd like to do all the rest of the hikes down to and along the Rio one day. We'll see how much snow comes in with the predicted winter storm.
I did go worship today at the altar of Walmart and Vitamin Cottage - always enjoyable. I love to buy healthy foods at Vitamin Cottage.
I bought a case of Charmin Basic toilet paper at Walmart - it's the only Charmin that doesn't clog our toilet. I bought ammonia with the intention of stripping the very slippery laundry room floor (still a hazard from waxing it lo so many years ago). If I could strip the wax, I wouldn't need the obnoxious throw rugs which are now themselves becoming slippery as they lose their non-slip backing. I remember, though, the last time I used straight ammonia for stripping floor wax (more than 30 years ago when we were starving students living in the mobile home in Gainesville, Florida) I damaged my lungs so much that I got bad bronchitis for many a winter. I'm re-thinking the ammonia idea and will check Metzger's Hardware tomorrow for non-ammonia floor stripping products.
I also bought a Black and Decker blender. It's made in China. The instruction manual says variously don't run it for more than 2 minutes and don't run it for more than 1 1/2 minutes. Lord only knows which time is correct. Then it says in one place use Pulse for 5 seconds, says 10 second somewhere else and 2 minutes in another place. Bologna - 5 seconds sounds about right!
I will cancel the Thursday appointment to have the chimney sweep look at the woodburning stove. Since I wiped it down with plain water, it makes no smells. I can take care of replacing the kaowool blanket and broken brick by replacing them myself or have the chimney sweep do it next summer. I'm going to call Big Jo's Hardware (don't you just love hardware stores??) to see if they stock the stove parts since they are a Quadra Fire dealer.
Christmas lights are on in the big living room, spouse is happily laying on the couch enjoying the fire and Cold Case. At 9pm, he'll turn on the Rockettes Christmas special on PBS. Life is good.
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Burnt Mesa Eagle Traps
Went to the Eagle Traps with two friends today. One led the hike and did an excellent job finding all 3 eagle traps. It was a beautiful day. Not quite warm enough for Indian Summer but definitely dominated by high pressure that kept it clear and cloudless.
The trick to finding the eagle traps is to start walking south from the large Indian ruin on the right toward Boundary peak and a tall, majestic ponderosa. The Indian ruin is shortly after you come up out of a gambel oak-filled swale. Ignore the first Indian ruin after the swale that you'll see on your left.
When you get to the edge of Burnt Mesa, you can either stick close to the edge or walk the crown of the mesa. You'll see Escobas Mesa on your right and a canyon on your left that starts out shallow but deepens. There is a deeper canyon between Burnt and Escobas Mesas.
On the way over to the edge of Burnt Mesa, we saw 2 skinny looking coyotes - not close up but from a distance. They walked away and at a right angle to our line of travel.
I had put waypoints in for the eagle traps and tried a go-to for the first one but that wasn't helpful because the arrow pointed away from the mesa edge. Maybe I input a number wrong. It didn't matter, though, because the leader spotted the first eagle trap. It was where the cliffs end and then you can easily walk down onto the shelf below the mesa's ridgeline. It's right before there is a small uphill and at a point where a trodden trail appears. The other two eagle traps weren't far after that. We went up the hill and followed the mesa a little further where it got rocky and was close to but not at the end.
The first eagle trap is shallow compared to the two near the end. Those two would require a ladder or rope to get out of.
That morning, the two friends had told me that the 4T's hiking group would also be going to the eagle traps but starting a half hour after us. When we three got there first, we sat in the sun and enjoyed the view. Then, one of us with very sharp hearing could hear hikers's voices far off. As they got closer, I gave a pathetic yodel to hail the leader but they didn't hear me. There were nine of them. Six of their number had gone all the way out on the main Burnt Mesa Trail. They passed around baked treats and chatted for a while but didn't have lunch.
We all started back together but we three hung behind. We saw the leader took off from the 4T's group to go down the main Burnt Mesa Trail. I walked all the way back with my two friends, said goodbye and then took off on the main trail again to meet the leader as she came back. On the way there, I saw a group of 4 deer browsing. At first they looked right at me and I stood still to watch them. But then, I saw their eyes were riveted by something coming behind me so I looked back and sure enough, there was a female jogger flying down the trail!
I met the leader at about the 2 mile point and we walked back together. I showed her the old CCC dam off the trail. I wanted to show that to the other two friends but one of them has a hip problem and it would have been hard for her. Her limit is about 6 miles before her hip starts talking to her. She's a very good hiker otherwise.
Afterwards, I sat in my car and ate a light lunch, enjoying the autumn orange grasslands made even deeper orange by the low hanging afternoon sun.
The trick to finding the eagle traps is to start walking south from the large Indian ruin on the right toward Boundary peak and a tall, majestic ponderosa. The Indian ruin is shortly after you come up out of a gambel oak-filled swale. Ignore the first Indian ruin after the swale that you'll see on your left.
When you get to the edge of Burnt Mesa, you can either stick close to the edge or walk the crown of the mesa. You'll see Escobas Mesa on your right and a canyon on your left that starts out shallow but deepens. There is a deeper canyon between Burnt and Escobas Mesas.
On the way over to the edge of Burnt Mesa, we saw 2 skinny looking coyotes - not close up but from a distance. They walked away and at a right angle to our line of travel.
I had put waypoints in for the eagle traps and tried a go-to for the first one but that wasn't helpful because the arrow pointed away from the mesa edge. Maybe I input a number wrong. It didn't matter, though, because the leader spotted the first eagle trap. It was where the cliffs end and then you can easily walk down onto the shelf below the mesa's ridgeline. It's right before there is a small uphill and at a point where a trodden trail appears. The other two eagle traps weren't far after that. We went up the hill and followed the mesa a little further where it got rocky and was close to but not at the end.
The first eagle trap is shallow compared to the two near the end. Those two would require a ladder or rope to get out of.
That morning, the two friends had told me that the 4T's hiking group would also be going to the eagle traps but starting a half hour after us. When we three got there first, we sat in the sun and enjoyed the view. Then, one of us with very sharp hearing could hear hikers's voices far off. As they got closer, I gave a pathetic yodel to hail the leader but they didn't hear me. There were nine of them. Six of their number had gone all the way out on the main Burnt Mesa Trail. They passed around baked treats and chatted for a while but didn't have lunch.
We all started back together but we three hung behind. We saw the leader took off from the 4T's group to go down the main Burnt Mesa Trail. I walked all the way back with my two friends, said goodbye and then took off on the main trail again to meet the leader as she came back. On the way there, I saw a group of 4 deer browsing. At first they looked right at me and I stood still to watch them. But then, I saw their eyes were riveted by something coming behind me so I looked back and sure enough, there was a female jogger flying down the trail!
I met the leader at about the 2 mile point and we walked back together. I showed her the old CCC dam off the trail. I wanted to show that to the other two friends but one of them has a hip problem and it would have been hard for her. Her limit is about 6 miles before her hip starts talking to her. She's a very good hiker otherwise.
Afterwards, I sat in my car and ate a light lunch, enjoying the autumn orange grasslands made even deeper orange by the low hanging afternoon sun.
Friday, November 6, 2009
Sawyer Mesa to Ponderosa Campground
Did this 9 mile hike today with 7 other hikers. We got to the Bandelier boundary amazingly fast but I was one of the slower ones because when I got to the lunch stop, I only had time to eat a muffin that a friend gave to me. I got a lot of miles out of that muffin though!
Craig Martin's Los Alamos Trails says the trail that continues from Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF) into Bandelier National Monument, jumping off from Sawyer Mesa FR 187, is faint but it isn't anymore. It's well cairned and has had some work done on it to make it easy to follow. The trail is called the Alamo Springs Trail 114.
I was unable to find it just now in the list of SFNF trails and the sitewide search function for their website wasn't working right. Searching Bandelier's website turned up no information either.
I felt like storming up out of Frijoles Canyon today because I wanted to go my own speed. I did but then I came back and walked with the last hiker.
Going down Upper Crossing, we met a lone woman hiker who had gone all the way to Stone Lions that morning from Ponderosa Campground. She looked like a very fit hiker.
I had to hurry back to town after the hike to drop off and pick up materials at the library, return a borrowed Ortho book about flooring options to Finishing Touch, pack up my supper at home and take it over to daughter's so she could go into work around 3pm to finish up some tasks.
Grandson had a relapse. At 3am this morning, his 101 degree fever came back. Daughter took him to doctor's office today and they prescribed antibiotics because of his croupy cough. His oxygenation was good so no chest x-ray was needed. Swine flu is going around and he can't seem to shake the fever but otherwise seems in great spirits! We'll reschedule the Rancho de Chimayo lunch for next weekend.
I left daughter's after 6pm and on the way home, I dropped off some items at Casa Mesita for daughter and am now finishing up two loads of laundry and running the dishwasher - busy day!
Craig Martin's Los Alamos Trails says the trail that continues from Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF) into Bandelier National Monument, jumping off from Sawyer Mesa FR 187, is faint but it isn't anymore. It's well cairned and has had some work done on it to make it easy to follow. The trail is called the Alamo Springs Trail 114.
I was unable to find it just now in the list of SFNF trails and the sitewide search function for their website wasn't working right. Searching Bandelier's website turned up no information either.
I felt like storming up out of Frijoles Canyon today because I wanted to go my own speed. I did but then I came back and walked with the last hiker.
Going down Upper Crossing, we met a lone woman hiker who had gone all the way to Stone Lions that morning from Ponderosa Campground. She looked like a very fit hiker.
I had to hurry back to town after the hike to drop off and pick up materials at the library, return a borrowed Ortho book about flooring options to Finishing Touch, pack up my supper at home and take it over to daughter's so she could go into work around 3pm to finish up some tasks.
Grandson had a relapse. At 3am this morning, his 101 degree fever came back. Daughter took him to doctor's office today and they prescribed antibiotics because of his croupy cough. His oxygenation was good so no chest x-ray was needed. Swine flu is going around and he can't seem to shake the fever but otherwise seems in great spirits! We'll reschedule the Rancho de Chimayo lunch for next weekend.
I left daughter's after 6pm and on the way home, I dropped off some items at Casa Mesita for daughter and am now finishing up two loads of laundry and running the dishwasher - busy day!
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Mini Explore Off North Bayo Bench Trail
I went to the North Bayo Bench Trail because I wanted to check afterwards if grandson had bounced back home from school with a fever. He's getting over the flu.
The mini explore was a trail off the main trail that led me up to Barranca Road near the intersection with El Rayo. I've always wondered where that side path off the North Bayo Bench Trail led to!
I continued on past that side trail explore to Barranca Crossing, took that up to Barranca Road and down into Rendija Canyon. I took the Rendija Canyon Trail back to the Guaje Pines Cemetery where I picked up the Dot Grant Trail back to my vehicle. Craig Martin's Los Alamos Trails says that loop is 4.5 miles.
On my walk, I thought about the wonderful, varied trails that we enjoy here. I'm hoping that the national lab (we really do glow in the dark!) and the fire destroyed mountains keep away any large influx of people from moving here and crowding the trails! At one time I truly entertained the idea of moving to CO but their trails are much more crowded than ours so I'll stay here and appreciate what I have here.
When I drove by daughter's, no one was there so apparently grandson made it through his first day back to school this week.
The mini explore was a trail off the main trail that led me up to Barranca Road near the intersection with El Rayo. I've always wondered where that side path off the North Bayo Bench Trail led to!
I continued on past that side trail explore to Barranca Crossing, took that up to Barranca Road and down into Rendija Canyon. I took the Rendija Canyon Trail back to the Guaje Pines Cemetery where I picked up the Dot Grant Trail back to my vehicle. Craig Martin's Los Alamos Trails says that loop is 4.5 miles.
On my walk, I thought about the wonderful, varied trails that we enjoy here. I'm hoping that the national lab (we really do glow in the dark!) and the fire destroyed mountains keep away any large influx of people from moving here and crowding the trails! At one time I truly entertained the idea of moving to CO but their trails are much more crowded than ours so I'll stay here and appreciate what I have here.
When I drove by daughter's, no one was there so apparently grandson made it through his first day back to school this week.
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Busy Morning
Spouse returned from business trip at just past midnight last night. He bought San Francisco sourdough bread - a loaf for him and one for daughter and family. The bread is good but whole grain is more my style.
I slept until 8:30am and then hit the ground rolling, tackling 3 loads of laundry. At least it wasn't as cold this morning. I'm afraid to do laundry on really cold days because the laundry drain has backed up before when it's really cold. The former owners of this housee who made an unheated laundry room were nuts! There is a wall unit space heater in there which I turned on as a precaution.
I turned a frozen bag of vegetable trimmings that I had been collecting into vegetable broth. I'm using the broth to reconstitute bulgur which I'll turn into a bulgur pilaf tonight.
Next door neighbor's daughter needed to borrow eggs. Her husband is making a birthday cake with and for their oldest daughter. We gave them a check to buy their 3 kids a present. I'm glad to hear that when they buy their house, it will be close to where daughter and family live.
Spouse is at the movies - Where the Wild Things Are - with grandson. Grandson no longer needs booster seat - yay!!
While I was making veggie broth, steam somehow shorted out a switch on the back of the oven. I got a mild shock when I flipped the switch to attempt to turn off the timed oven indicator light but the light still seems to be dimly on. The gas oven is almost 19 years old and we really need to buy a new one (for more reasons than the shorted switch). When the burners are first turned on, we are treated to a whiff of gas. We'll look for a new one next soon.
The idea that I would get out on the trail this weekend seems laughable now. I'll walk my 4 miles this evening with all the Halloweeners that will be out and about. Tomorrow, we go shopping in Española after spouse meets daughter and family for pancake breakfast. Maybe, just maybe, spouse and I will get a walk in tomorrow afternoon.
In view of my limited outdoor activities today, I'm so grateful for yesterday's life affirming, lung huffing, heart pounding, uphill workout on the Quemazon Trail!
I've emailed hiking pal to suggest that because of the time change, we start at 8am this Monday on ambitious hike to Rio.
I slept until 8:30am and then hit the ground rolling, tackling 3 loads of laundry. At least it wasn't as cold this morning. I'm afraid to do laundry on really cold days because the laundry drain has backed up before when it's really cold. The former owners of this housee who made an unheated laundry room were nuts! There is a wall unit space heater in there which I turned on as a precaution.
I turned a frozen bag of vegetable trimmings that I had been collecting into vegetable broth. I'm using the broth to reconstitute bulgur which I'll turn into a bulgur pilaf tonight.
Next door neighbor's daughter needed to borrow eggs. Her husband is making a birthday cake with and for their oldest daughter. We gave them a check to buy their 3 kids a present. I'm glad to hear that when they buy their house, it will be close to where daughter and family live.
Spouse is at the movies - Where the Wild Things Are - with grandson. Grandson no longer needs booster seat - yay!!
While I was making veggie broth, steam somehow shorted out a switch on the back of the oven. I got a mild shock when I flipped the switch to attempt to turn off the timed oven indicator light but the light still seems to be dimly on. The gas oven is almost 19 years old and we really need to buy a new one (for more reasons than the shorted switch). When the burners are first turned on, we are treated to a whiff of gas. We'll look for a new one next soon.
The idea that I would get out on the trail this weekend seems laughable now. I'll walk my 4 miles this evening with all the Halloweeners that will be out and about. Tomorrow, we go shopping in Española after spouse meets daughter and family for pancake breakfast. Maybe, just maybe, spouse and I will get a walk in tomorrow afternoon.
In view of my limited outdoor activities today, I'm so grateful for yesterday's life affirming, lung huffing, heart pounding, uphill workout on the Quemazon Trail!
I've emailed hiking pal to suggest that because of the time change, we start at 8am this Monday on ambitious hike to Rio.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
A Change in the Weather
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.
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.
Friday, October 23, 2009
Inside Jobs
We went on the Bayo Canyon Bench Trail hike this morning with the WRSC group. They also went a tiny distance on the Gonzales Road which intersects the bench trail. No one could understand why we could hear gunfire that sounded so close on the Gonzales Road since the Sportsmen's Club was a mesa and canyon north of us.
Afterwards, picked up Vornado space heater at daughter's to exchange in SF tomorrow and stopped at senior center (to exchange magazines) and library (to browse non-return shelves) and then was inside the rest of the day.
Ate lunch, did two loads laundry, fixed massive vegetable soup (froze some), toasted and ground seeds - fennel, coriander, mustard. I've always read that toasting spices brings out their fragrance and flavor. They taste good. Made amaranth to go with the vegetable soup. Tonight's supper was the soup with amaranth and pinto beans. It was delicious!
Haven't heard from car dealer about loose bumper. I'll call next week to check on what's happening.
Tomorrow is SF trip and eating out at La Plazuela. Sunday, I drop spouse off early in SF, then eat breakfast at Whole Foods and come back home.
I enjoyed yesterday seeing the inner workings of Los Alamos Canyon where it splits off into Quemazon Canyon. I would like to know that country better - both the vertical as well as horizontal topographic aspects. We live in an amazing place!
Afterwards, picked up Vornado space heater at daughter's to exchange in SF tomorrow and stopped at senior center (to exchange magazines) and library (to browse non-return shelves) and then was inside the rest of the day.
Ate lunch, did two loads laundry, fixed massive vegetable soup (froze some), toasted and ground seeds - fennel, coriander, mustard. I've always read that toasting spices brings out their fragrance and flavor. They taste good. Made amaranth to go with the vegetable soup. Tonight's supper was the soup with amaranth and pinto beans. It was delicious!
Haven't heard from car dealer about loose bumper. I'll call next week to check on what's happening.
Tomorrow is SF trip and eating out at La Plazuela. Sunday, I drop spouse off early in SF, then eat breakfast at Whole Foods and come back home.
I enjoyed yesterday seeing the inner workings of Los Alamos Canyon where it splits off into Quemazon Canyon. I would like to know that country better - both the vertical as well as horizontal topographic aspects. We live in an amazing place!
Friday, October 16, 2009
Ancho Rapids Hike
I haven't done this hike for years and I'm really glad I found some people willing to do it - one of the WI hikers and her long-time friend. The WI hiker was scouting it to put on her Tuesday group's schedule. They were both good company and good hikers. We had a lot of fun talking and laughing. We all feel lucky to live in northern NM.
On the way out to the turnoff for Ancho Rapids, we were treated to the sight of a tarantula scurrying along the Powerline Road. I rarely see tarantulas so that was exciting!
It's a tough hike - 1000' elevation gain and loss to the Rio Grande and back. It's steep and therefore not a hike you'd want to do in summer unless you're training for Death Valley! I've gone with the LL group in springtime and it's really pretty then. There is a spring that runs year-around and its banks are edged by watercress. This time of year is lovely too because of the autumn colors - red gambel oak and bright yellow cottonwood. I saw small animal tracks in some mud along the creek.
Ancho Rapids was a refreshing sight and I enjoyed closing my eyes to listen to the rapids. The banks of the Rio are lined by basalt boulders blackened by desert varnish and worn very smooth over the aeons. We enjoyed lunch on the riverbank, listening to the rush of the rapids and warmed by the boulders we sat on.
On the way out to the turnoff for Ancho Rapids, we were treated to the sight of a tarantula scurrying along the Powerline Road. I rarely see tarantulas so that was exciting!
It's a tough hike - 1000' elevation gain and loss to the Rio Grande and back. It's steep and therefore not a hike you'd want to do in summer unless you're training for Death Valley! I've gone with the LL group in springtime and it's really pretty then. There is a spring that runs year-around and its banks are edged by watercress. This time of year is lovely too because of the autumn colors - red gambel oak and bright yellow cottonwood. I saw small animal tracks in some mud along the creek.
Ancho Rapids was a refreshing sight and I enjoyed closing my eyes to listen to the rapids. The banks of the Rio are lined by basalt boulders blackened by desert varnish and worn very smooth over the aeons. We enjoyed lunch on the riverbank, listening to the rush of the rapids and warmed by the boulders we sat on.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Dilated Pupils
Both spouse and I got eye exams today in Santa Fe. My retina checked out perfectly.
I did 3 miles on the Route. I didn't do 4 miles because I couldn't see well. My pupils were still dilated and I protected them with from the late afternoon sunlight by several layers - clip-on sunglasses, prescription sunglasses and the disposable sunglasses that the eye doctor gives out. The world was blurry and colorless. It made me feel empathetic to people who have eye problems that, while they are not blind, greatly impair their eyesight. The world's visual beauty is so diminished if it's all a muted blur. Plus, it's a hazard trying to walk on uneven ground when you can't see clearly. Be grateful for good eyesight!
I did 3 miles on the Route. I didn't do 4 miles because I couldn't see well. My pupils were still dilated and I protected them with from the late afternoon sunlight by several layers - clip-on sunglasses, prescription sunglasses and the disposable sunglasses that the eye doctor gives out. The world was blurry and colorless. It made me feel empathetic to people who have eye problems that, while they are not blind, greatly impair their eyesight. The world's visual beauty is so diminished if it's all a muted blur. Plus, it's a hazard trying to walk on uneven ground when you can't see clearly. Be grateful for good eyesight!
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Feeling Better and MVD Overcome!
Today was the WI hike on the Bland-Frijoles Trail 113. There were only 12 of us and no Santa Fe people came along. We parked and started walking about 3 miles in on the north side of Dome Road, FR289, from its intersection with FR36.
Some pre-hike excitement was afforded me when my ride started driving away just as I had opened the back door and was attempting to get into the vehicle but fortunately I was able to step away from the moving car and wasn't hurt. The other passengers warned the driver and she stopped. She thought I was already in the car. I wasn't hurt and didn't dwell on it but it gave me some elevated heart rate when it happened and I was standing still!
Everyone enjoyed photographing the brilliant yellow aspens. The skies were bright New Mexico blue with occasional white clouds floating here and there. It was the quintessential autumn day in northern New Mexico that makes you want to just melt into the landscape and never leave!
We had lunch at the base of Rabbit Hill but didn't go up it. Instead, after lunch, we walked on a ridge between Capulin and Alamo Canyon which gave us good views into Alamo Canyon and of Pajarito Mountain and Cerro Grande. I saw lots of brilliant red barberry bushes on the ridge - very pretty!
On the way back, some of us bushwhacked straight up the ridge but I took the trail and got a ride back to my car with different hikers. It had nothing to do with the earlier mishap but I could see that the hikers who were going off-trail were going to take much longer to get back and I had to meet our daughter at 3:30pm at the Motor Vehicle Division - this time with the notarized gift affidavit in hand - to give her our old car. I got back in plenty of time and the wait was much shorter today and the transaction was successfully done - yippee!!
Today, my muscles felt fine and so did my knee. In the last two weeks, I finished the last two 50,000IU Vitamin D2 capsules and I theorize that they caused the unusual sluggishness.
Some pre-hike excitement was afforded me when my ride started driving away just as I had opened the back door and was attempting to get into the vehicle but fortunately I was able to step away from the moving car and wasn't hurt. The other passengers warned the driver and she stopped. She thought I was already in the car. I wasn't hurt and didn't dwell on it but it gave me some elevated heart rate when it happened and I was standing still!
Everyone enjoyed photographing the brilliant yellow aspens. The skies were bright New Mexico blue with occasional white clouds floating here and there. It was the quintessential autumn day in northern New Mexico that makes you want to just melt into the landscape and never leave!
We had lunch at the base of Rabbit Hill but didn't go up it. Instead, after lunch, we walked on a ridge between Capulin and Alamo Canyon which gave us good views into Alamo Canyon and of Pajarito Mountain and Cerro Grande. I saw lots of brilliant red barberry bushes on the ridge - very pretty!
On the way back, some of us bushwhacked straight up the ridge but I took the trail and got a ride back to my car with different hikers. It had nothing to do with the earlier mishap but I could see that the hikers who were going off-trail were going to take much longer to get back and I had to meet our daughter at 3:30pm at the Motor Vehicle Division - this time with the notarized gift affidavit in hand - to give her our old car. I got back in plenty of time and the wait was much shorter today and the transaction was successfully done - yippee!!
Today, my muscles felt fine and so did my knee. In the last two weeks, I finished the last two 50,000IU Vitamin D2 capsules and I theorize that they caused the unusual sluggishness.
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