Tag Archives: hiking

Albuquerque, NM

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Albuquerque, NM has to be one of the best kept secrets as a place to visit in the country. I would have never discovered it but I stayed there one time during one of my many trips back and forth on I-40. I stopped at a motel and looked out at the near distance and saw one of the most beautiful mountains I ever saw.

The sun, as usual was setting in the west and it set the mountain aglow, almost as if on fire. It seemed an impossible picture. If I had a couple million in my back pocket, I would love to buy a home near that mountain. I would love to see the vision of that mountain almost on a daily afternoon.

Unfortunately, between one thing and the other, I was never able to move there and likely never will.

By the way, later, I found out that the mountain, Sandia Peak, has a tram going to the top. So it is, you can enter the tram at about 5000 feet above sea level and get out about 10,000 feet above sea level (not exact numbers but pretty close.)

Indeed, most people don’t think of Albuquerque as being so high but it is. Fewer people think of it being at the base of such a huge mountain, but it is.

It is also somewhat odd. The west side of the mountain is just almost vertical while the east side is something of a gentle slope, where some folks actually ski. That’s right. You can ski in central New Mexico and the land there is magnificent.

Oddly, there are hiking trails on the west side that are marked out. As you can well imagine, some of the trails are more difficult than others. Moreover, if I could have, when I was younger, I would have loved to explore some of them. Of course, the problem was that, whenever I went through Albuquerque, I was always on my way through. I could never take the time to explore the mountain or the city.

Many times, I wished I had spent a week or two there. I regret I didn’t. However, I did take the tram to the top and back twice. Both times I had a sandwich and soda in the restaurant at the top. After, I hiked a little of the trail that goes along the ridge.

As I said, if I, could I would make that trip at least once a week. I would never tire of it one bit.

However, I must admit, if I moved there, I would likely have learn how to spell it. Quite frankly, I don’t know if I could ever manage that.

Worth Repeating, Maybe

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It has been a while since I last said anything about our trip to the Grand Canyon. You know, not everyone gets to see the Grand Canyon. I have been there three times. And yes it is a big hole the ground.

We were at the overlook near the hotel and looking at the plateau that was somewhere half-way down. We were looking at it for 3 or 4 minutes when a stranger off to my right that said, “There are people down there!” Exact words.

I squinted and strained my eyes and saw no one. I turned to the woman and asked, “Where?”

She pointed out a landmark and she said that they were just a little past that. Again, I strained my eyes and sure enough. I still wouldn’t have seen them but they were moving. Again, I remind you, the plateau is only about half way to the bottom. If somehow I were suspended above the canyon at the current altitude in a way that I could see the river, there is simply no way I’d have been able to see a person, maybe with a telescope. As I said, it is a big hole.

When we first arrived to the first lookout, my wife and my sons started watching squirrels. I couldn’t get them to look at the canyon. I mean we have squirrels at home, by the dozens. They were getting the chance of a lifetime to see the canyon and all they wanted to see was squirrels.

Well, at least they were Grand Canyon squirrels. I should have taken movies of them. I could have sold it, you know. I could have advertised, “genuine Grand Canyon squirrels.” I mean my wife and kids liked watching them. Why not others?

A side note, people are permitted to walk to the bottom of the canyon. However, they do need to check-in before they start. Also, everything that goes down must be carried back up. No littering allowed. The fines are very stiff.

Finally, another caution. It is much easier going down than coming back up. It has often been compared to climbing a mountain in reverse. That trail coming back up is the same, but it will seem very much more longer.

Daily writing prompt
Describe your most memorable vacation.
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I Love This Question

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Define camping.

One time I went to Lake Elsinore and slept in a tent. I suspect many would not call this camping. I did as tell my sister about the leftover milk. I don’t like wasting food. She laughed and told me not to worry about it. Next morning, it was froze solid. Come to think of it, I was pretty cold too.

Many times we went to Irvine Park. At that time, it was bordering on wilderness. They had nice camp stoves there. I don’t think that qualifies as camping, but it was kinda close.

I suppose it might count when we camped during Marine training, but that was not for enjoyment. It was the first time I found out just how dark a place can get without the sun.

I went to Korea for a week and lived in a tent. I think that was about as cold as I have been in my life. I really have a hard time understanding how people can live there.

Never did go camping in a trailer or motor home. Don’t really consider that camping anyway. Still, I wouldn’t mind trying it out a few times. I’d be happy with something 20-25 feet.

In a somewhat related subject, my drill instructor passed this little bit of wisdom to us. “Never own more than you can carry on your back.” You have no idea how many times I wished I would have paid attention to that.

I’m not saying I should carry all I own on my back, but I think a pickup and camper would have worked. Over time I have realized, the more I got, the more I have to take care of and the more it costs.

Perhaps, in a way, we would all be better off camping throughout our lives. I am sure there are many who’ll quickly disagree with me. However, when we reach a point when our stuff owns us instead of us owning it, maybe we have too much stuff. To be sure, the last few years, I have learned my house owns me. I am pinned to it and I must consider many things before going on a two day trip. No such thing as just going. That grass won’t mow itself. At my age, it is getting more difficult. I will likely soon start paying someone. I won’t be able to ignore it.

Maybe we have reached a point where we would be better off just camping.

Daily writing prompt
Have you ever been camping?
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