Hiking the Petroglyph National Monument

August 2015

Last week I was in Albuquerque, New Mexico, at a meeting for my day job.  And, as always, I try to make travel a Work-cation and find fun, outdoor, fitness adventures to do that families might be interested in as well.  My rules of Work-cations are easy:

1. Plan before you go: Talk to friends and family that have gone to your travel area, and google hiking and running in the area.  Look for any recreation trails, or National Parks.  I'm partial to anything managed by the National Park Service because I know that it will be safe, well maintained and family friendly!

2. Realize that you aren't on a real vacation and will have a limited time-frame and daylight to adventure.

3. Pack the appropriate gear, cameras, etc.

I had actually heard from a co-worker to look up the Petroglyph National Monument.  And I was very happy I did!   The Monument was perfect fit for me:  I love mixing history, nature, and learning something along the way!

The Monument has several trail areas to choose from with over 20,000 petroglyphs carved by Native Americans.  I decided to chose the Piedras Marcadas Canyon in the northernmost area of the Monument because it seemed the most rugged.

The canyon had small sandy trails to guide you and lots off-shoots from the main trail to explore. 

As you got deep into the canyon you found yourself surrounded by black-eyed susans as far as the eye could see and some over 5 feet tall!

I loved seeing the many different flowers along the paths and hearing all the busy honeybees and bubleblees!  They were actually quite loud!

And I did manage to see a beautiful bird (which I think is a Say's Phoebe), a whiptail lizard and some ferocious fire ants.   

But the main attraction of this park are the large basalt rocks and the petroglyphs.

The Pueblo peoples of the area were the main contributors to the petroglyphs.   The actual process to create them took a very long time, so they were thoughtfully put in place - not just random drawings.

I was definitely intrigued and moved by the sheer number and variety of images.  Many were high on the walls of the canyon and I couldn't reach them at all.  But most were just a short climb away, and you were free to sit, touch and examine them close up!  Archaeologists think that images, like this one, are examples of birds from Central America showing a commerce between the areas.

To Native Americans, however, the drawings are to remain sacred, or secret: they hold a memory, a story that we can only imagine.   William Weahkee, a Pueblo Elder, said it best "Each of these rocks is alive, keeper of a message left by the ancestors... there are spirits, guardians; there is medicine"

I definitely left feeling at peace: a gift given to me by the ancestors and one that your family would enjoy as well!

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See more of my traveling adventures!

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Tip:  The Albuquerque Volcanoes are a side trip to the Petroglyph National Monument!  Worth seeing if you have the time!

Tip:

You are exposed to the dry, hot, New Mexico Sun - bring plenty of water, a hat and sunscreen!

Watch out for Rattlesnakes and report any sightings to the Ranger.

kesselrunner77@gmail.com

Road ID : Be Seen Wearing It!

I've been a Road ID proponent for years!  And it's not just popular with me;  the Road ID is a favorite
way of identification for sports enthusiasts, too!

But, what exactly is a Road ID? The Road ID is a wearable bracelet, anklet, necklace or shoe Identification that contains an essential message you want others to know in an emergency.  You have up to 6 lines of information that you can add to your ID such as your name, emergency contacts or special medical information: the ID becomes your voice when you are not able to speak.

Is it just for athletes?  who really needs it?  I believe that it is essential for everyone in your family to own a Road ID.  If you are not sure about how your family could use one, here are some considerations to think about:

Syl's Solutions: As The Heel Turns

I was asked today how I kept my heels from slipping in my running shoes.

Great Question!  The key to having the right fit, is room enough at the toes, but tight at the heels.  Some of us, like myself, just have problems making that work.

The answer turns out to be an easy fix, and one your shoes were actually made to do!

I was shown this simple, effective solution at a runDisney Expo:

1.  Utilize the Eyes

There is an extra eye on either side of the shoe:

Thread the shoe string into this hole. Making a loop.

Doing this for each side, will result in having a left loop and a right loop.

2.  Criss Cross.

Guide the Right shoestring through the Left loop;

and the Left shoe string through the Right Loop.

3. Tie your shoes!

This alternate way to tie your shoes, tightens the brim only, and thereby securing the heel!

I even thread my hiking shoes using this technique:  it's the only way I go!

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What about you?  Do you have problems with your heels slipping? 

Let me know!

Send your questions/problems  to kesselrunner77@gmail.com

or leave a comment on this blog.