Let's face it.
When your mid-thirties are starting to turn into your late thirties, you stop getting quite so excited that yet another year has come and gone.
(this does not mean I think that I am old. I know I am still young, but. . .)
When you're in the 2nd 3rd of your life,
You start to face the fact that you are mortal and that in 60 years you will either be 96 years old or dead. Did you think that was where this post was headed? Me neither, but there it is.
I won't live forever.
At least not on planet earth.
So I set out on my birthday to enjoy the day I've been given here on this little planet.
We started out with birthday wishes from my little ones, morning chores, phone calls from friends and family, and then I had this idea settle into my mind that today was the day to finally set foot in the Superstition Mountains. They are shrouded in legends of prospectors, gold mines, Dutchmen and German men (even murder). Perfect place to face my birthday!
I see the Superstitions every day. These hunky, gorgeous cliffs, that like to play in the light of the setting sun, but I'd never gotten close. With the help of the internet we were able to find a short hike and directions to the trail head and by 3:00 that afternoon, the whole family was hiking the Heiroglyphic Trail, in search of a waterfall & Hohokom Indian drawings. The internet said it was 2 miles round trip, but I'd guess a tad longer, though very worth it and very doable. It'd be a great place to take out of town guests during good weather. When you go I suggest that you listen to Superstition by Stevie Wonder on the drive to the mountains, oh so appropriate.
We realized about a 1/2 hour into our hike that we were going to have to really move it in order to reach our destination point and still return to the car before dark. (I was having images of me trying to steer my children to safety through cactus and boulders with only Handsome's ipod flashlight ap to light our way! Yikes!) Handsome had the baby and the big kids far ahead, while I lagged in the back with a slow moving 3 year old who constantly complained about needing to go potty. Finally, I had to hoist a surly Not-So-Sunshine onto my back and pray for her to hang tight, but we made it! It was enamored by the desert's beauty and I loved every second of it. I even loved having my 3 year old there to instill these values in her, even though I had to literally drag her along. My big kids loved it and if I had to do it all over again, I would still take the little kids, just leave a tad earlier. (Mr. Handsome, however, would leave the kids at home!)
10 comments:
looks like a great day! hopefully some day we'll get to spend a birthday together again!
It was not too many pics of the desert :-).
So glad you had a good birthday.
I love that when a lot of moms want a pedicure and pampering on their birthday you want to hike in the desert mountains! I was just telling Travis last night how great the Arizona sun was sounding to me this week, so fun to see pictures of my native land. And I haven't seen a smile that big on Savanna in a long time, that girl doesn't give them out liberally all that often so she must have truly enjoyed herself, I myself would have mostly liked the CPK part, wish I could have been there, I would have even hiked for you!
Nancy, I tell you, this hike was perfect and not to hard. The weather was gorgeous and the scenery inspiring. You would have loved it, even more than painted and powdered toenails.
That desert scenery is incredible! What breathtaking views of the sunset. Beautiful picture of you and Richard!
the pictures are so gorgeous. i'm a little homesick now! sounds like an awesome birthday.
It was really fun! Nancy what are you talking about!!! I smile a lot! (I think!)
Gorgeous sunset and arizona photos! Happy Birthday Becky!
Looks like a lovely birthday! Maybe you could take me on that hike the next time I'm down.
What beautiful pictures. Wish we could have made the hike with you. Maybe next time we come. Glad we were able to do a little celebration with you earlier. Glad you had a happy birthday.
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