Thanksgiving Day Hike

Marty and I met up with a group of 14 to do an annual hike out of Sabino Canyon via the Phoneline Trail to something called "Laura's Rock".  Maybe you can see the trail on the left as it winds in and out of side canyons.  We departed the parking lot, crossed a bridge over fast running water and headed up the trail.  I had intended to hike at a mellow pace with the others but then some guy wearing black jeans went around me.  This is akin to a guy on a recumbent passing you or a "C" cyclist or worse yet, Flyin Tuna passing you.  Just not acceptable so I jumped out of the line, set in behind him until I could hear his breathing become labored and turned on the after burners.  Marty hung in there while wearing a black backpack that is heavier then what SEAL team members carry when they are going in country for a month.  At some point, a water bottle tumbled out of my pack and I had to scramble down a slope to retrieve but then got into a rhythm of jogging and walking. 

Marty and I went by whatever is "Laura's Rock" with no notice of it and kept going, eventually dropping down from the slope to Sabino Canyon Road and walking back amid dozens and dozens of walkers out to enjoy the sun and mid 60's temperatures.

After eating a feast of salad and chicken, I jumped on the bike for a 15 mile ride.  The summit on the right is Pusch Summit.  Been up there a few times but it is cross country bush whacking to the middle summit, Bighorn Mountain.  Gotten halfway there once and got weirded out by the solitude I guess so turned around.  I'll be back.

Wow, snow up on Mount Lemmon, about 12" I hear.  Hmmmm, those trees are beginning to block my view of the mountains.  Down here, as I sit, sipping one and only one glass of wine, it is 68.  I feel so guilty, talking to my wife, children and mother as they gathered at our house for Thanksgiving today.  Fortunately, that guilt was fleeting, it passed in a few minutes.  Well, something kind of exciting coming tomorrow.