by Bob Ackenhausen | Jun 17, 2020 | Footnotes
I have told you about getting out and hiking. We have talked about hiking on low trails. Next it was hiking up high. So now it is time to have fun in the Rio Grande.
The Rio Grande?
When you hear about the Rio Grande everyone immediately congers up a vision of the border between the U.S.A. and Mexico. That is the case in Texas from the Gulf of Mexico to the Texas city of El Paso. After El Paso the Rio Grande makes a right turn and heads almost straight north through the middle of the Land of Enchantment, New Mexico. By the way New Mexico is part of the USA and has been as of 1848.
Keeping cool in the Rio Grande. Sipping a beverage and Chillin !
Time to get Wet !
To deal with the lockdown I have edges everyone to get outside and go on a hike. I have hiked down low in the Galisteo Basin. Then I hiked up high to the top of Atalya mountain. One of the first outside adventures was taking a group up Hyde Park road to the forest along the Borrego Trail. The temperature is rising so now it was time to get wet and have fun in the Rio Grande.
What to do in the River?
How about a little picnic by and in the river? That sounded like an excellent idea! I loaded up the car with chairs, a cooler, drinks, snacks and some lunch and headed north of Santa Fe on highway 285. Fifty mile up the road is County Line river access. A great place to put in a raft, kayak, paddle board or just set some chair in the river and chill.
Fantastic view of the Rio Grande Valley. No virus worries here !!
Chillin’ in the River !
Chairs in the river. Cold water cooling my legs. A cold beverage in my hand. Bright sun above. Watching the rafters and kayakers drift by. Fun in the Rio Grande. This is the perfect way to forget about coronavirus or anything else for that matter.
If you want to find out how to have fun in the Rio Grande, contact Santa Fe Footprints.
by Bob Ackenhausen | Dec 10, 2019 | Footnotes
First Day skiing at Ski Santa Fe
The first ski day of the season has begun and on a good note, so far as the snow is concerned. As of December 10th, Ski Santa Fe has had about 40 inches of snow.
Ski Santa Fe opened on November 28th. This was Thanksgiving Day. I had broken my toe back in September and it was still a bit tender. Most likely because I have walked on it for a month before finally having it looked at. With this in mind plus the fact that only the bottom runs were open, I delayed my first ski day of the 2020 season until today.
I arrived at about 9:00am and parked in the upper right lot so I could ski to the lodge. This seemed like a good idea because at the end of the day I could ski to the lot and have only a short walk to the car.
I was meeting a friend named Joe. This was the first ski day for both of us. We met in the lodge and after he got his gear on we were ready to hit the slopes.
The Snowboarder and I
This was the first day for both of us so we agreed to just take it easy. The first two runs were good. Now it was time to head for the lifts to the upper mountain. On the run to the lifts a young snowboarder hit me from the side and completely wiped me out. I rolled down the hill for about 20 or 30 yards before coming to a stop. One ski near me and one way up the hill. I hadn’t bucketed my helmet strap and it went sliding down the hill. Everyone was asking if I was OK and after a minute or so I could tell I was fine. A ski patrol guy brought my helmet and another skier brought down my ski and I was up and ready to go. The young board gal never said sorry, boo or anything for that matter. I think I came out of it with only a bruised rib, I hope. This was the biggest wipe out I have had in many a year, maybe ever. For the rest of the day I was very leery of snowboarders !!
A Good Lunch and Final Runs
We Stopped for lunch at 11:45 or so. A nice bowl of hot chile was just what we needed to warm us up. We both decided that we would do a few more runs and call it a day. The legs are just not as young as they were! It was a good sunny day, cold but with the sun out, who cares? It was 16 degrees at the start of the day but I never felt cold. That is one of the great things about skiing in Santa Fe on a sunny day. That sun just keeps you nice and toasty.
More Snow on the Way
More snow is on the way this weekend so next week will be even better. The legs will be stronger and the powder deeper! Can’t wait!
When you need to take a day off from the fantastic skiing or the incredible shopping, consider a tour of this historic city. Click here for more information about a great Historic Walking Tour.
