Go take a hike!

We're still rising early these days and Robert even caught the sunrise. By 8 am we had had breakfast and were eager to explore. A little googling was enough for us to find a recommendation for a moderate hike, so we packed our water, sunscreen, trail mix, and bug spray and set off.

Red Rocks state park was our destination and it did not disappoint. Even driving there we passed several spectacular vistas. We consulted a park ranger and asked for a moderate hike. She recommended the "Javelina" trail and so we set off. Easy at first, but after a bit it got rockier and steeper. Along the trail we saw cacti of all varieties and I had to snap a few photos. We got an amazing view of Cathedral Rock and then descended to follow the edge of a creek happily burbling away. We dutifully drank our water to keep hydrated. All told we did about 3 miles. Not too shabby. Our legs are looking killer by the way.

We decided we'd cook in again that night and stopped back by Safeway for ingredients for a stir fry. I had still had some rotisserie chicken left over from a few days before. Waste no, want not. After a quick shower back home and some lunch, we headed out for a scenic drive. We passed an architectural gem called "The Church of the Rock." It's built right into the hillside with a commanding view of the canyon floor and a huge mountain rising up behind it.

We didn't actually go inside, because I read on their website that they do a service of Taize Chant on Monday's at 5 pm. We're definitely going to go back for that. Just for background, Taize is a town in France that has developed a tradition of religious meditation that relies heavily on chanting. They sing simple, short songs and repeat them over and over. The effect is hypnotic. Generally the setting is softly lit or even near dark with candles. There may be a reading or two, but the emphasis is on the music. It's been a number of years since I've gone to a Taize service, but I am all in on this for tomorrow.

Our drive took us several miles south of town, past a series of incredible rock formations. Each has a name; "The Courthouse," "Bell Mountain,'' "The Nuns," and "Gibraltar," to name a few and each was more fantastic than the next. Here's us taking a short break from the drive at a scenic overlook.

Back home, we began dinner prep. Speaking of meditation, doing a stir fry takes a lot of prep. Specifically, a lot of chopping of veggies. I like chopping. I find it soothing in a way. It can be tedious, but more often than not I look forward to it. Taco Tuesdays are a favorite as well, for the same reason. It turned out to be another superb meal. I am so lucky to live with such a good cook.

As a side note, I want to thank all of you who are reading and commenting. I'm very gratified by your interest. The platform I am using sends me analytics and it seems 237 of you have tuned in at least once, with a total of over 1300 page views. I'm blown away by it all. But don't worry, I won't turn into an Influencer, I promise. As soon as this trip is over, I will set aside my laptop and return to life as a gentleman farmhand.