These Poles are made for Walking

Tales from the Trail-Back to New Mexico 2010

After finishing our first hike, a 1200 foot descent on rocky trails and let's be honest, tired, wobbly knees and ankles --Mr. Jackson remembered the hiking poles we admired but did not purchase in Flagstaff last year. So the next day, we walked over to Alpine Sports and picked up a pair of Leki's for each of us. 

What a difference they made on our next hikes in Bandelier--Tyuonyi Overlook, a 2.2 mile trip and Burnt Mesa Trail, a 5 mile trip. He kicked my &^&:-)!!!

Life lessons learned-1)if it makes you better-use it! 2) our frailties can be overcome and 3)fifty something is just a number.....oohrah!

Here's some views from the trail...

 Given what I read, we wouldn't be able to hike here today as the area is contiguous to Los Alamos where fires are burning--feel blessed to have walked there and not certain what I will find find the next time ....prayers for rain and blessings to the firefighters who are battling the flames...

Monday Monday Wake Up Call-The Big Bad Wolf?

Mr. Jackson came across this find on one of our hikes in Bandelier. He saw a white reflection and thinking that it was a plastic bag, he ventured off the trail to pick it up. When I finally caught up (more on that later), he could hardly contain his excitement!! Isn't this cool?, he said. Through gasps, I agreed and promptly began to take a few shots to memorialize the moment, reminding him that we needed to leave his new friend where he found him. Being an excellent hiker, he returned Wolfy back to the wilderness.

We stopped back at the ranger's station to advise them of our find. Amazingly, we were advised that there no wolves in Bandelier and that Wolfy was more likely Wiley, a coyote. Go figure. That was one big coyote! Happy trails and may your week be a great adventure!