Yesterday while out running a song I haven't heard in a long time started looping in my brain. A thing of beauty is not to be ignored. Over and over again. I guess certain situations remind us of music past and looking at the Sandia Mountains certainly did that for me.
This is what I see everyday. The Sandia Mountains run along the east side of Albuquerque. We all get to see this majestic view everyday that we open our eyes and pay attention. Some of us just don't appreciate it so I thought I would give it some love today. I run on the 365 trail several times a week. The trail runs north/south in the foothills. The foothills are full of pink and yellow granite, chamisa, cholla cactus, flowers, rabbits, bobcats, cougars, black bear, deer and snakes. A living, breathing museum of sorts full of surprises and breath taking beauty.
The paths in the foothills are shared by hikers, runners and mountain bikers. Most days we all get along although occasionally I will run into an overzealous biker who wants to run me over. Recently I caught a mountain biker making a new path which is definately uncool. Anyone who hikes knows that you stay on the path, take only pictures and leave only footprints.
As I start my run the path twists up and down. It then goes into what I call the Cholla Forest, a flat eluvial fan looking area that leads to more small hillls. I see cholla cactus, scrub pine, acorn bushes and pinon trees. The range continues south.
As beautiful as the Sandias are, they are equally dangerous. This past weekend while running we ran into a rattle snake. It gave us ample warning by shaking its tail. We left each other alone. I have never run into a black bear or cougar; something I hope will never happen. I have run into bobcats.
My mountain. Our mountain. A thing of beauty is not to be ignored.
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