We woke to a
beautiful day. I got moving for a
morning hike before checking the status on sites at the National Park. Right at 10am, we got the call that six sites
were available and we started packing up right away. We arrived to find a wonderful site with full
hookups (that’s a treat for us!) on a quiet stream and facing a beautiful wall
of rock. Right away we knew we were
somewhere special.
Since our
first trip visiting 23 national parks, I have an undying appreciation for the
uniqueness of each one. These parks are
one thing this country has done very RIGHT.
Being essentially in a city, though, I didn’t really expect to find all
the wonders it had to offer. We set up
easily and waved to new neighbors arriving before hitting the trails. There were dozens to choose from and we
wandered from one to the next climbing to views and enjoying each turn. We even saw our first priest and nun out for
an afternoon on the trail!
Returning to
the campground without yet making our way to the central springs area, we sat
with a beer by the stream. Our new
neighbor wandered over and joined up and soon after his wife and life felt
exquisitely normal again. The weather
was perfect, we were outside and safe but making new friends and the cares of
the world drifted easily from our minds.
Steve and
Lucinda are a wonderful mix of professional and down to earth and conversation
flowed with ease. Lucinda is full
blooded Navajo and Steve works on the reservation providing endless
opportunities to learn about a culture we sadly know too little about.
We arranged
to hike together the next day and all were ready at 10 with lunches packed and
hiking boots on. He hit the trail this
time for the main attraction, the hot springs.
With the abundance of nature and the addition of fun conversation, the
miles passed easily.
The town of
Hot Springs is a quaint collection of bathhouses, hidden hike trailheads and
unique shops along the main promenade.
We wandered the town for a while and stopped for a cold drink before
deciding we’d finish our hike on a back trail before getting serious with any
otherwise distracting activity (a drink anyone?) The trail was surprisingly upward once
again! How do trails always seem to have
more incline than decline? That’s not
supposed to be physically possible, is it?!
We stopped on a perfected situated bench for our lunch before finishing
the final leg. Rob led the way and he
and Steve maintained a constant flow of conversation – right down the wrong
path! Our original plan of 3-5 miles was
already over 7!
Hey, we’re no lightweights! I found an alternative route and we all thrilled at the sight of a Biden banner in someone’s front yard!!! You have no idea how very comforting that was after traveling the past week with “the competitor’s” flags flying in near every homestead! That in itself was worth the detour! Back in Hot Springs we stopped for another beverage before starting the climb back to the campground. We stopped on the way to “feel” the hot springs, disappointingly all that was available without an appointment.
With a final
count of just under a ten mile day and plenty of elevation, we got back to camp
and collapsed in our chairs. For the
next few hours we each pulled out assorted snacks including Lucinda’s wonderful
homemade pico de gallo. We tucked
ourselves under the awning as a light rain fell and ate anything close at hand
while enjoying each other’s company for the next several hours.
Tired and
satiated, we parted ways with our exits planned for the morning. It was a highlight of a day and stay at Hot
Springs, a most welcome release from all things Covid and Rob’s pressing health
concerns. We settled in for the night
after indulgent long showers (sewer connections are a treat!) marveling at
being in just the right place at just the right time.
No comments:
Post a Comment