Exploration!

I really need to research my bright ideas. I decided I wanted to go hiking on Mt Charleston, so we drove out there yesterday. But I didn't really know how high the elevation was. I figured, it's the desert, the mountains can't be that tall, can they? Ha.

We get to the visitor's center and ask for a good trail for our first time there. They point us in the direction of Mary Jane Falls. We get to the starting point and see that the hike is marked "Strenuous" and the elevation starts at 7,800 ft and ends at 8,800 ft. Hmmm, that doesn't really seem like a beginner's trail to me.

Well, I have asthma and am woefully out of shape. Both J. and myself were lightheaded from the altitude. I kept having to stop to catch my breath. Little children and old people were passing us! I felt a little better seeing that one skinny kid had stopped about half way up, while his friends finished the hike. He had his inhaler out, too. Then I felt mean for taking pleasure in his breathing troubles.

But, really it was absolutely beautiful. I did not die on the way up and everyone we met was very friendly. Most of them had dogs, so I had fun petting and playing with them.

It is good to have a nice, cool place to escape the harsh desert heat. All in all, a very good day.