A Red Letter Day:
On the trail again
Today is a red-letter day for me and for us. It is the first day since my surgery on a true hiking trail. We are still looking for a way to Baldy Mountain that is legal and accessible for us. We can’t find a simple access to West Aqua Fria.
So today, we made up a plan B and took the Tolby Creek trail, one mile in and one mile back. It does go to the peak at about 5 miles out. It’s rated as moderate and it is just what our mental health needs.
I checked in with Tina to see how she felt about getting out again. Turns out we both sighed deeply at the chance to get into the forest and up on a mountain. I learned long ago that the wild gives me as much stimulation as I need to feel at peace. There is much going on out there and that is all the business I can or want to have.
The other great event today was using my trekking poles for the first time. What a revelation for me!
My friend, Robin, demonstrated their uses on our hike to Hollywood Peak last fall. My daughter gave them to me for Christmas. I did not think I had been anywhere they would be helpful until today.
The poles provide me with a lot of upper body stability even over level ground. Using them keeps me upright and able to both focus on the path and check for closer dangers. I use them to climb over trees that had fallen in our path. Check for water seeping across our path. Establish the depth and find solid ground around puddles and obstacles. Now I can’t think of NOT using them, even on a neighborhood walk. I love them.
We were spent by the time the trail took a switchback, so we reversed our course. The fun thing about returning is always seeing new things on the way back. The weather was so changeable today that we went out in the clouds and returned in the sun. There were many places that were highlighted on the way back.
We stopped at Kaw-Lija’s in Eagle Nest on the way back. This local cafe keeps it simple. But it does have ice cream and pastries. We were hungry so of course we had some of everything and brought some home.
One more stop turned out to be a good wind down from the day. My friends, Julie and Troy, had recently stayed in Eagle Nest Lake State Park. We drove in and found the day use picnic area so lovely that we pulled out the beach chairs and stayed a while watching the weather and the birds.
Even though we stay some where different almost every month. Its good to be home in the Angel Fire condo.