I have a Reputation

7:00am and running a little late for a hike in the Tortolita Mountains, which are behind me and not what you see in the image above.  If you look carefully, you'll see a balloon rising above the distant mountains, middle.  I arrived at the trail head, grabbed my stuff and began walking toward the group when I heard someone say, "Oh, that guy.  He practically runs up the mountain." and someone else said, "Yeah, he was on a hike I was on and he is fast."  How about that.  The hike was rated intermediate + so people are encouraged to attend who can at least make that pace, which is defined in the description when the hike leader sends out the invite.

I get a little ahead of the group but there they are, coming down from a climb, nine of us in total.

I wait while checking out this view.  We take a quick break and I saw something I have not previously seen.  A guy just out of the army lights a cigarette.  That's a first for any ride or hike, I kid him about it and he laughs good naturedly. 

Part of the group.  The red haired woman brushed against a Cholla and doing so, a portion of it clings to her shirt.  Instinctively she grabs to pull the clump but that's a mistake and the needles sink in to her hand.  Someone has a pair of pliers and pulls the needles.  Fortunately, she is not a bleeder.  The woman in front of her has a daughter at Dennison and moved from Gahanna, another small world moment.  Lot of Ohioans out here.

Nearing the end of the 8 mile hike.  Good day hike with fun people and all done way before lunch.