Picacho Peak Hiking

When life gets fast-paced and overwhelming, the mountains are always there.  Hiking among the trees that have stood their ground for decades, looking out at the city from 8,500 feet elevation, and stopping to observe lizards and bugs through the eyes of a toddler can help put things in perspective.  We had a gorgeous weekend in Santa Fe, after a few cold and rainy days last week, and I think summer weather is officially upon us.  Hoping to enjoy the sunshine and also break in the hiking pack before our upcoming Alaska trip, I took Ady and Kua up to Picacho Peak, one of my favorite "easy" hikes that's just a short drive from town.  One of my favorite parts of this trail is the diversity of cacti, bushes, and trees -- from prickly pear and yucca to juniper and ponderosa pine.  There are a lot of wildflowers in bloom right now too, and some funky-looking pink spiky balls that I've never seen before (see photo below).

 There's never a dull moment while hiking with a toddler.  She keeps me entertained with her singing of "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star" on repeat, attempting to fix my hair tie, and speaking whatever's on her mind.  Every few minutes she asks, "What's that noise?"  When we pass fellow hikers, she feels the need to comment on their appearance, or whether or not their dogs look nice.  When she gets out of the pack to walk for a while, she is filled with wonder over tiny ants roaming the ground, pinecones in all shapes and sizes, and rocks that are just the right size to fit in both her hands.  Her best statement of the day: "That bird is flying to the mountain.  Him likes mountains.  Him better be careful."  


Hiking sisters

Cacti flowers in bloom

What IS this?!  I can't help but think of Horton Hears a Who....

Selfies!

Kua admires the view at the overlook

Exploring nature

Sisters taking a break

Yucca

Kua enjoys a splash in the stream
I'm so thankful to live in a place with unlimited access to nature and hiking, and I feel renewed and refreshed for the week ahead!

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