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!!
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
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
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