| Saturday | High: 70 | Low: 37 | |
| Day 146 | 9,158 | 4.6 | |
| Total since June 24 | 1,227,060 | 613.5 |
Saturday, Scott and I took Nikki and Ixchel for an outing. First we went up to PetSmart and bought some of their favorite treats, and a package of poop bags, and a walking harness for Ixchel. On our daily walks there are places we pass that gets Ixchel worked up. Max’s house over on the corner, and Yappy’s a few blocks the other way. And of course she knows when we are approaching Grammas! As we approach these places, and when we pass other dogs on our walk, Ixchel strains at her leash. Then, once she backs off, she coughs. This can actually be dangerous, even fatal. So, we’ve decided she has to have a harnes.
So then, once we had all this bought, we decided to run up to Dripping Springs Natural Area, a BLM resource. We intended to hike the Dripping Springs Trail, but on the way there remembered that they don’t allow dogs. So, we detoured and ran up to the Soledad Canyon Day Use Area. This area is also run by the BLM (Bureau of Land Management), but they allow dogs here. This is what the canyon looks like from the trailhead and parking area.
Where we live in Las Cruces is about 3850 feet above sea level. The trailhead for Soledad Canyon starts at roughly 5400 feet above sea level. The trail climbs up to a box canyon with a nice little waterfall, at about 6050 feet or thereabouts. The overall trail loop is 3.96 miles. We didn’t do the loop, opting instead to head straight up to the waterfall, and then return, because we had the girls with us.
But, due to this climb coupled with the altitude, we didn’t quite make it. I think we walked about 0.8 (eight tenths) miles before being forced to turn back. I think Nikki was still good to go, but Ixchel’s little legs and the rough rock, coupled with too long claws wore our poor little girl out. We ended up having to carry her part of the way back!
Now begins the long process of getting her ready for long hikes. We’ll do this, first, by getting her claws trimmed, and then that trail we walk on Tuesdays, the La Llorona trail, is marked at half mile intervals. I think we’ll start at 2 miles (1 mile out, 1 mile back) and when we can do the entire 6.2 miles, we’ll go back up and try to see if she can get to the waterfall.
See, here we are on the trail!
Tonight we’ll be attending a birthday party!
DAILY GRATITUDE
I am grateful, today, for God’s gift of Grace, poured out to all.
PRAYER INTENTIONS
“God seeks shalom at every level of life, from cells to community and nations. Our unique calling is to bring God’s shalom to our relationships and the world.” — Bruce G. Epperly
This week’s theme, drawn from the tiles, is “Care.”
Fortunately, the description for “Care” fits in with my primary prayer request this week. My middle brother is still in need of prayer, as he recovers from heart surgery. Thank you!
On The Road II 