Went up Valle Canyon today to check Clothespin tree for Dorothy. She wants to figure out if it's a limber pine or white pine and needs fresh needles and cones to do that. No luck today. The tree looks like it has absolutely not a single cone on it. The lowest branch is about 24' from the ground and the branch hangs down about 18' from the ground.
Right at the beginning of the Valle Canyon trail are loads of tall forget-me-nots. There is something so endearing about that tiny flower - the blue petals are made so much more intense of a blue by the yellow center.
About 1/2 to 1 mile from the VCNP boundary fence, in a wide section of the canyon, I spotted a brownish-blondish bear on the other side of the stream from me. It looked larger than a cub but was not a huge bear. It had probably heard/seen/smelt me before I spotted it. It was peacefully poised above the stream like it was ready to run uphill. In a medium strength voice, I whooped twice at it and opened my golf-sized umbrella. It did scramble to the next ledge above the stream when I walked past across from where it was. On the way back down, I said "Hey, bear!" a lot!
I wanted so much to go up the VCNP fenceline to Pajarito Mountain (anything to avoid encountering the bear again!) but I didn't bring lunch or enough water, plus, a car shuttle at Pajarito Mountain Ski Area would have been nice. Maybe the WI extracurricular group would want to do that in July or August.
I probably started around 10:30-10:45am and was done and on the road by 1:09pm. The VCNP boundary fence was lonely without the WI hikers! The weather was perfect!
I went to the library afterwards and while I was in the used bookstore, I felt something crawling under my pants. A black beetle had lodged itself in my underwear. The black beetles are everywhere this summer. I took it outside and released it. The tick I found crawling on my leg at home got less humane treatment - burial by flush.
Doing three loads of laundry this afternoon.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
FR181 - Always and Forever
I've been plagued by a bum right knee since last Friday. It bothered me then on a hike from the ski hill to Pipeline Road. I started on Kwage Mesa Saturday but couldn't continue more than one half mile because it felt like my knee cap stiffened and became extremely painful. I slowly walked back, doing my best imitation of Tim Conway 's "slow old man"! The problem was triggered by any downhill. A friend said she had the same problem year's back while hiking down Wheeler Peak. She called it downhill knee.
Sunday night, I couldn't walk more than a mile pain-free but could walk 2 miles pain-free on Monday night - just on the flat, back and forth to the airport. Today, because I badly want to go on the Valle Canyon hike tomorrow, I went to FR181/American Springs Road. Amazingly, I was able to walk four miles without pain, even downhill. I used two poles to strategically off load my weight onto the poles on the downhill, I didn't walk fast and, on the advice of my friend, carried a big ACE bandage, just in case. I didn't need it.
Tomorrow, it's supposed to rain. I want to carry my big golf umbrella as well as use both ski poles. On FR181, I found a bungee cord which I've now used to strap my umbrella to the walking stick. I will be prepared!
FR181 tidbits: The NM locust and wild rose lend such a spicy aroma to the road. Some of the rose bushes are so loaded with flowers that I just stopped in my tracks and drank in their beauty. I see that there will be plenty of raspberries along the road this summer. I hope I can devour some. I stopped to look at a party spot - lots of trash strewn around and, oddly, a box full of unopened, formerly frozen, Sysco Fruits of the Forest pies. Must have been some party! Was passed by an open jeep with 3 men/boys and a toddler, fast asleep in his car seat. Saw them having fun splashing through puddles. Luckily, I wasn't near enough to get a mud bath! Picked a plant that might be the Veronica which my friend says grows near American Springs. It got so wilted, it may be impossible to revive and identify it. Also picked a small myrtle spurge plant to throw away - it's an invasive.
Was wonderful to be able to walk without pain. I resolved to walk that road into my 100's! ; D
Sunday night, I couldn't walk more than a mile pain-free but could walk 2 miles pain-free on Monday night - just on the flat, back and forth to the airport. Today, because I badly want to go on the Valle Canyon hike tomorrow, I went to FR181/American Springs Road. Amazingly, I was able to walk four miles without pain, even downhill. I used two poles to strategically off load my weight onto the poles on the downhill, I didn't walk fast and, on the advice of my friend, carried a big ACE bandage, just in case. I didn't need it.
Tomorrow, it's supposed to rain. I want to carry my big golf umbrella as well as use both ski poles. On FR181, I found a bungee cord which I've now used to strap my umbrella to the walking stick. I will be prepared!
FR181 tidbits: The NM locust and wild rose lend such a spicy aroma to the road. Some of the rose bushes are so loaded with flowers that I just stopped in my tracks and drank in their beauty. I see that there will be plenty of raspberries along the road this summer. I hope I can devour some. I stopped to look at a party spot - lots of trash strewn around and, oddly, a box full of unopened, formerly frozen, Sysco Fruits of the Forest pies. Must have been some party! Was passed by an open jeep with 3 men/boys and a toddler, fast asleep in his car seat. Saw them having fun splashing through puddles. Luckily, I wasn't near enough to get a mud bath! Picked a plant that might be the Veronica which my friend says grows near American Springs. It got so wilted, it may be impossible to revive and identify it. Also picked a small myrtle spurge plant to throw away - it's an invasive.
Was wonderful to be able to walk without pain. I resolved to walk that road into my 100's! ; D
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Los Alamos County Hiking Trails Behind Walkup Aquatic Center
Read Accuweather and prediction was high chance of rain and thunderstorms after noon. Ha, ha - it's held a steady state of overcast and cooler but no rain all day. Guess I shouldn't believe Accuweather.
Woke at 9am after not being able to get to sleep until after 1am. Didn't feel like anything epic today so I went to trails behind the Larry R. Walkup Aquatic Center. They hit the spot for close to home and rolling trails on which to do jogging intervals.
Afterwards, hung out at library looking for hiking books. I'm realizing that I should have never gotten rid of my earlier editions of various hiking books because they are invaluable for finding out about trails that are no longer maintained like the Alamo Springs Trail 114 which drops down into Bandelier National Monument from the Sawyer Mesa Road. Hang onto your hiking books - all editions!!
Off to retrieve a huge load of laundry from the washing machine and plunk it into the dryer!
Woke at 9am after not being able to get to sleep until after 1am. Didn't feel like anything epic today so I went to trails behind the Larry R. Walkup Aquatic Center. They hit the spot for close to home and rolling trails on which to do jogging intervals.
Afterwards, hung out at library looking for hiking books. I'm realizing that I should have never gotten rid of my earlier editions of various hiking books because they are invaluable for finding out about trails that are no longer maintained like the Alamo Springs Trail 114 which drops down into Bandelier National Monument from the Sawyer Mesa Road. Hang onto your hiking books - all editions!!
Off to retrieve a huge load of laundry from the washing machine and plunk it into the dryer!
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Pajarito Mountain Ski Area Summerfest 2009
Enjoyable day with spouse, daughter, son-in-law at Pajarito Mountain Ski Area Summerfest. We got there around 10:30 am. I immediately headed up the jeep trail walk that winds to the back of the mountain, passing by Lone Spruce and Townsite Lifts. It's the first two miles of the hike called "Pajarito Mountain Ski Area Trails" in Craig Martin's Los Alamos Trails. Cold wind on backside of mountain. Good views of Cerro Grande. On the way down, I met family at picnic table near top of Lone Spruce. Richard, a hiker with the WRSC group had hooked up with them down at the bottom on the Aspen Lift so we all walked down together.
They all bought their lunch at the ski area lodge and also paid $5 each for the beer garden. They had fun sampling the various beers and in addition, their ticket entitled them to a full glass of beer and to keep the glass. I was the designated driver. I brought my lunch from home - curried brussel sprouts with white kidney beans or cannellini.
A band, the Nomads, was playing good music like Johnny Cash's Folsom Prison Blues. The electric guitar playing was really fine! Daughter wanted to dance and so did I! Weather was great. The lift will run again tomorrow but I'll probably just do jogging intervals. I did enjoy, though, being up on the ski hill. I should go more often. What an asset to the community it is! People were having a good time up there!
They all bought their lunch at the ski area lodge and also paid $5 each for the beer garden. They had fun sampling the various beers and in addition, their ticket entitled them to a full glass of beer and to keep the glass. I was the designated driver. I brought my lunch from home - curried brussel sprouts with white kidney beans or cannellini.
A band, the Nomads, was playing good music like Johnny Cash's Folsom Prison Blues. The electric guitar playing was really fine! Daughter wanted to dance and so did I! Weather was great. The lift will run again tomorrow but I'll probably just do jogging intervals. I did enjoy, though, being up on the ski hill. I should go more often. What an asset to the community it is! People were having a good time up there!
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Pajarito Trail to Guaje Canyon to Rendija Road and Back To Pajarito Trail
Hike was 9 miles. A real happening was occurring at parking lot in the morning. All these cars pulled up and hikers got out. They were from NASA and mapping in the area along with geologist, Kirt Kempter. They were there yesterday too in the thunderstorm.
Started at 8:20 am from Pajarito Trail 286 trailhead, climbed to Guaje Mountain saddle and then down into Guaje Canyon. Going downstream through Guaje Narrows was easy - some stream crossings but very doable. Cliffs of the Narrows are quite striking towering overhead. Where Guaje Canyon intersects FR416, saw 5 or 6 butterflies close together, could have been mating monarchs. Also saw very large penstemons that in two colors - magenta and lavender.
We continued on Guaje Canyon Road, FR442, to its intersection with Rendija Canyon Road, FR57, which we took west, past the Los Alamos Sportsmen's Club and back to Pajarito Trail trailhead. Got back to trailhead around 1:30 pm. Mappers were gone.
Saw lots of hoodoos in Rendija Canyon and a memorial cross for Terry Putt who was killed down there a few years back in a rollover accident involving teenagers and maybe alcohol. Rained a few drops on the way back which was good because it got pretty hot on the uphill on Rendija Canyon Road.
Indeterminate what next week's hike will be. WI's will do Obsidian Ridge next Wednesday and Valle Canyon the Wednesday after. Could do a long hike as part of the WI hike.
Other hikes to do in today's area are to follow Guaje Canyon Road all the way to NM502 at Totavi and have someone pick us up or do part of hike we did today but at FR416, go up to mesa top north of Guaje Canyon and follow numerous forest roads back to the Pajarito Trail. This would involve a lot of uphill, including hauling ourselves out of Guaje Canyon to the Guaje Mountain saddle. I'd only want to do that one if it's cool next week. However, the downhill one to Totavi could be done even if it's hot.
Started at 8:20 am from Pajarito Trail 286 trailhead, climbed to Guaje Mountain saddle and then down into Guaje Canyon. Going downstream through Guaje Narrows was easy - some stream crossings but very doable. Cliffs of the Narrows are quite striking towering overhead. Where Guaje Canyon intersects FR416, saw 5 or 6 butterflies close together, could have been mating monarchs. Also saw very large penstemons that in two colors - magenta and lavender.
We continued on Guaje Canyon Road, FR442, to its intersection with Rendija Canyon Road, FR57, which we took west, past the Los Alamos Sportsmen's Club and back to Pajarito Trail trailhead. Got back to trailhead around 1:30 pm. Mappers were gone.
Saw lots of hoodoos in Rendija Canyon and a memorial cross for Terry Putt who was killed down there a few years back in a rollover accident involving teenagers and maybe alcohol. Rained a few drops on the way back which was good because it got pretty hot on the uphill on Rendija Canyon Road.
Indeterminate what next week's hike will be. WI's will do Obsidian Ridge next Wednesday and Valle Canyon the Wednesday after. Could do a long hike as part of the WI hike.
Other hikes to do in today's area are to follow Guaje Canyon Road all the way to NM502 at Totavi and have someone pick us up or do part of hike we did today but at FR416, go up to mesa top north of Guaje Canyon and follow numerous forest roads back to the Pajarito Trail. This would involve a lot of uphill, including hauling ourselves out of Guaje Canyon to the Guaje Mountain saddle. I'd only want to do that one if it's cool next week. However, the downhill one to Totavi could be done even if it's hot.
Monday, May 25, 2009
The Velveteen Jogger Does the White Rock Rim Trail on Memorial Day 2009
Dorothy called around 8 am this morning to cancel the hike to Cañada Bonita to check out some big trees. She has too much work to do - a Friend's report to get out and preparing for tomorrow's meeting with the congressional aides. She'll be gone to Iowa for her granddaughter's high school graduation next Monday.
Spouse not interested in hiking because of discomfort around his appendectomy incisions that he experienced on yesterday's hike on the Upper Crossing Trail, going out to the rim of Frijoles Canyon.
Storm clouds were hanging over Pajarito Mountain around 10 am so I headed down to White Rock (sometimes known as Hot Rock) to the White Rock Rim Trail, accessed from the Blue Dot trailhead.
I was nearly speechless when up pops Dale, a local park service ranger, as I'm fiddling with adjusting the waist belt on my fanny pack. He said he was going for a short run and had to work today. I never saw him again. In his running shorts and T shirt, he looks like such a youth!
Saw some men flying their radio controlled aircraft. Everyone has their own fun way of spending Memorial Day. Saw various joggers enjoying the rim trail and hikers going for the downhill delights of the Blue Dot into White Rock Canyon.
Saw a lots of yellow prickly pear blossoms. Admired a line of flowers at the side of the trail composed of purple penstemons, yellow perky sues and red Indian paintbrush.
I call myself the Velveteen jogger because, just like the Velveteen bunny, I'm not a real jogger. Others could (and did) go out and back in the time it took me to make the roundtrip. Regardless, I enjoy so much that, by faithfully doing my leg exercises, I'm able to do jogging intervals.
I stopped and saluted as two fighter jets went overhead, a Memorial Day tradition. I blessed all the people that have served our country.
Spouse not interested in hiking because of discomfort around his appendectomy incisions that he experienced on yesterday's hike on the Upper Crossing Trail, going out to the rim of Frijoles Canyon.
Storm clouds were hanging over Pajarito Mountain around 10 am so I headed down to White Rock (sometimes known as Hot Rock) to the White Rock Rim Trail, accessed from the Blue Dot trailhead.
I was nearly speechless when up pops Dale, a local park service ranger, as I'm fiddling with adjusting the waist belt on my fanny pack. He said he was going for a short run and had to work today. I never saw him again. In his running shorts and T shirt, he looks like such a youth!
Saw some men flying their radio controlled aircraft. Everyone has their own fun way of spending Memorial Day. Saw various joggers enjoying the rim trail and hikers going for the downhill delights of the Blue Dot into White Rock Canyon.
Saw a lots of yellow prickly pear blossoms. Admired a line of flowers at the side of the trail composed of purple penstemons, yellow perky sues and red Indian paintbrush.
I call myself the Velveteen jogger because, just like the Velveteen bunny, I'm not a real jogger. Others could (and did) go out and back in the time it took me to make the roundtrip. Regardless, I enjoy so much that, by faithfully doing my leg exercises, I'm able to do jogging intervals.
I stopped and saluted as two fighter jets went overhead, a Memorial Day tradition. I blessed all the people that have served our country.
Friday, May 22, 2009
Dome Road FR289
Wanted something easy, flat and nearby. Parked at ice rink and started walking toward locked gate road in Los Alamos Canyon but lab employees told me I couldn't walk on it and there was a no trespassing sign so I gave up. I just now emailed the lab asking why the public can't walk on that road now because the public has been walking on it for a while now. I didn't notice the no trespassing sign before this and maybe it's new.
Drove up to Dome Road FR 289 and parked off NM4 across from Cerro Grande parking lot. I did jogging intervals out to Graduation Flats and back.
I carried my golf umbrella and had to use it twice but no hail, thunder or lightning - my kind of rain!
Mists hung over Rabbit Ridge, Scooter Peak and Cerro Grande - very pretty!
Admired iris clumps and golden banner (golden pea). Golden banner reminds me of Easter. With my near-sighted eyes, the round portion of the blossoms on the flower spike look like tiny, yellow Easter eggs or even like yellow, marshmallow chicks.
Drivers go very fast on Dome Road. Only saw two but they could slow down when they pass a pedestrian! Also, one of them didn't move over at all but took the middle of the road, going through some small puddles. I got way over as soon as I heard any vehicle coming. I invented a new word that will be parental-control friendly to describe such drivers: anal-orifices!
Lawyer joke: Why bury a lawyer six feet under? Because deep down, they're nice!
Drove up to Dome Road FR 289 and parked off NM4 across from Cerro Grande parking lot. I did jogging intervals out to Graduation Flats and back.
I carried my golf umbrella and had to use it twice but no hail, thunder or lightning - my kind of rain!
Mists hung over Rabbit Ridge, Scooter Peak and Cerro Grande - very pretty!
Admired iris clumps and golden banner (golden pea). Golden banner reminds me of Easter. With my near-sighted eyes, the round portion of the blossoms on the flower spike look like tiny, yellow Easter eggs or even like yellow, marshmallow chicks.
Drivers go very fast on Dome Road. Only saw two but they could slow down when they pass a pedestrian! Also, one of them didn't move over at all but took the middle of the road, going through some small puddles. I got way over as soon as I heard any vehicle coming. I invented a new word that will be parental-control friendly to describe such drivers: anal-orifices!
Lawyer joke: Why bury a lawyer six feet under? Because deep down, they're nice!
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Nail Trail-FR2998 Jogging Intervals
Got out of the house this morning by 10am by virtue of not firing up computer. Went up Nail Trail and out on FR2998 to Camp May Road and turned around. Did jogging intervals. Not much shade on FR2998 but nice breezes and evaporative cooling from sweat made it pleasant. I've basically skipped timing the intervals and just jog to a landmark and then walk to another and repeat. I do it all by feel rather than time.
Reading some Runner's World magazines from MPL. January 2009 issue has article titled Twilight of the Mountain God about Rick Trujillo, a mountain runner who lives in Ouray. He's had a lifetime of running in the mountains. He says that's been his salvation. His eating habits are pretty lousy, though. He had to have a stent put in last year because one of his arteries had a 90% blockage. The article is very interesting. He's a true individualist.
My thought regarding the 12 miler in very hot, shadeless territory on Thursday is that some people are naturally more cold-blooded and can tolerate the heat more. It may rain on Thursday and cool things down which will be good.
Reading some Runner's World magazines from MPL. January 2009 issue has article titled Twilight of the Mountain God about Rick Trujillo, a mountain runner who lives in Ouray. He's had a lifetime of running in the mountains. He says that's been his salvation. His eating habits are pretty lousy, though. He had to have a stent put in last year because one of his arteries had a 90% blockage. The article is very interesting. He's a true individualist.
My thought regarding the 12 miler in very hot, shadeless territory on Thursday is that some people are naturally more cold-blooded and can tolerate the heat more. It may rain on Thursday and cool things down which will be good.
Friday, May 15, 2009
Miso Cranberry Muffins
Read in Life Extension magazine that you shouldn't eat anything cooked above 250 degrees to avoid forming advanced glycation end products (AGEs). (The body forms them anyway so I'm not sure why it hurts to eat them but I'm not a food chemist.) This made we wonder if it's possible to make muffins cooked at 250 degrees. It is. They are, of course, my usual loco muffins. I had about 1/3 cup of red miso that I just wasn't finishing up because it's so much saltier than the sweet white miso. I can use the less salty miso more lavishly. I like to spread miso, mustard and peanut butter on a walnut half. It's pretty good! (Obviously, I have more to worry about than AGEs!) For that matter, just a dab of miso on a walnut half is also delicious. It's also good spread on a medjool date. The possibilities are endless!
Anyway, ingredient list: red miso, apple juice sweetened dried cranberries, orange juice, cup of apple juice, garbanzo bean flour, 1/2 cup canola oil, Udi's museli and cinnamon. Mix it all up, throw it in the oven, and, presto, miso cranberry muffins! I thought it tasted delicious but I have very peculiar taste buds.
Spouse and I hiked this morning in lower Water Canyon with the WRSC group. Only six of us. Spouse did very well for his first hike since the appendectomy. Saw evening primrose, the low kind, tons of perky Sue, wallflower, light blue penstemon.
Tonight, go to Sarah Plain and Tall with grandson and daughter.
Grandson's permanent molar was growing into the root of his baby molar and caused an abscess. He had to have the baby molar pulled and will need a spacer. Daughter says he was very brave!
Would like to try a 12 mile hike on Sunday.
Anyway, ingredient list: red miso, apple juice sweetened dried cranberries, orange juice, cup of apple juice, garbanzo bean flour, 1/2 cup canola oil, Udi's museli and cinnamon. Mix it all up, throw it in the oven, and, presto, miso cranberry muffins! I thought it tasted delicious but I have very peculiar taste buds.
Spouse and I hiked this morning in lower Water Canyon with the WRSC group. Only six of us. Spouse did very well for his first hike since the appendectomy. Saw evening primrose, the low kind, tons of perky Sue, wallflower, light blue penstemon.
Tonight, go to Sarah Plain and Tall with grandson and daughter.
Grandson's permanent molar was growing into the root of his baby molar and caused an abscess. He had to have the baby molar pulled and will need a spacer. Daughter says he was very brave!
Would like to try a 12 mile hike on Sunday.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Great Day!
Hiked 8 miles on FR181/American Springs Road today in preparation for next week's 12 mile hike with Annette. Started at twin water tanks on West Jemez Road because I wanted to do my jogging intervals on the steep uphill rather than the reverse. Added plus was that there are pools of shade on the downhill coming back. My car lucked out and was in shade provided by a tall Ponderosa! Couldn't have planned it better.
I didn't carry water or a backpack so I cheated somewhat. I won't be able to get away with that on next week's hike but it felt great not to lug them. I tanked up at the beginning and end of the trek and had plenty of liquids at breakfast.
Only homo sapiens that I saw was a woman in an SUV. We both waved.
Saw tiny bird nibbling on Gambel Oak. It looked like its head had a black crest.
Red columbine was rampant above road as it drops down to Water Canyon crossing.
The breezes were welcome and it wasn't hot at all.
Did 4 miles of jogging intervals and then turned around and walked back 4 miles.
On way back, found plastic bag and used it to pick up myrtle spurge (an invasive in CO). Bag handle broke, I dropped bag once, bag developed holes - not sure, but maybe I planted some in new places. I pulled them up last week and shouldn't have let them dry out before I hauled them out. I'll keep watching for new growth next year and pick it before it gets huge.
Big invasive thistles (maybe bull) have hopped road just past the forest service gate and are heading downhill into a tributary of Water Canyon. Thistles with their spines are beyond my scope of expertise. Hope Craig Martin goes out there and pulls them since I notified him.
On drive home, looked like prescribed La Sotella fire near Abiquiu is exploding. Wonder why forest service would hold it in these winds?
I didn't carry water or a backpack so I cheated somewhat. I won't be able to get away with that on next week's hike but it felt great not to lug them. I tanked up at the beginning and end of the trek and had plenty of liquids at breakfast.
Only homo sapiens that I saw was a woman in an SUV. We both waved.
Saw tiny bird nibbling on Gambel Oak. It looked like its head had a black crest.
Red columbine was rampant above road as it drops down to Water Canyon crossing.
The breezes were welcome and it wasn't hot at all.
Did 4 miles of jogging intervals and then turned around and walked back 4 miles.
On way back, found plastic bag and used it to pick up myrtle spurge (an invasive in CO). Bag handle broke, I dropped bag once, bag developed holes - not sure, but maybe I planted some in new places. I pulled them up last week and shouldn't have let them dry out before I hauled them out. I'll keep watching for new growth next year and pick it before it gets huge.
Big invasive thistles (maybe bull) have hopped road just past the forest service gate and are heading downhill into a tributary of Water Canyon. Thistles with their spines are beyond my scope of expertise. Hope Craig Martin goes out there and pulls them since I notified him.
On drive home, looked like prescribed La Sotella fire near Abiquiu is exploding. Wonder why forest service would hold it in these winds?
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