I had planned to get out on some bigger adventures by now but some things have come up keeping me close to where I am. There are things I want to see & do before the tourist season starts.

Meghan just got back from a fire but left again for some training. Addy has been sick so I am keeping her in meds and rest; hopefully I do not catch it. Plus, I have been getting settled in but have enough of my personal business done that I now can actually consider an adventure.

And I feel I have a good road trip planned to start this new chapter off in a big way.

All of my saved route stops on where I want to go are new places for me so that is very exciting. One part of the trip will be a small section of road I have been on before several years ago. I did find a few things along that part to stop and see so those are on my list.

I will take this trip in a few weeks or so since I have some more babysitting/dogsitting to do before I can leave so be sure to keep checking back (or maybe even subscribe!) to stay up on my trips & posts. Since I have to stay close there are so many other things to see so I can take some day trips to get out exercising. I am perfectly fine doing that and I can get some hiking/walking in. Since there is little to no snow down at the lower elevations there is so much to see & do that is very accessible so I have also saved several places close by. Meghan has told me about a few local, easier hikes that she likes as well so those places are on my list too until I can get medial advice.

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We had some really serious winds yesterday but today it is very nice out; as I type this it is 54° F but feels like 61° F. Of course it is much drier here than Kansas so being outside in the 50s here I am not cold like I was there. You can really feel a difference in the air.

Another couple of benefits I am seeing health-wise is my knees do not hurt nearly as much, or as badly, as they did. I have been busier and that does help, but even when I am not as busy they still feel better. My allergies have also mellowed out quite a bit because there are usually fewer molds in the air in the drier climates. That could change when the tree pollen starts to fly and makes the forest look like it is on fire.

I am definitely higher in elevation – 3300 feet – than I was so I am watching what I do until I can see a cardiologist here in the high country to get another opinion on altitude with cardiac issues. I am closely monitoring my heart rates as I walk and I slow down or stop if necessary. I feel fine so far, but I was walking 10+ miles a day and felt fine before my heart attack…

I am so anxious to get out on some trails after being without any public lands to enjoy the last five years. It is very exciting to be back in these places I love so deeply and some serious forest bathing is what I need.

That is about it for this day. Thank you for reading my blog and we’ll see each other next time.

Shawn