Day 7

I suppose it was about time we had a day of imperfect weather. We awoke to find the weather rainy, cold and damp. The plan was todo a hike just North of town that courses along a canyon with a river that runs through it. We took breakfast time slow so that we could feel out the weather. By late morning, the rain seemed to have cleared up and we decided to set out. The hike is called the Piedras river trail and the road to get there was fantastic. We had to drive 10 miles or so North of town on a gravel road. Vacation homes gave way to rustic prairie, open range with picturesque views of the mountains in the distance. We arrived and got ready. It was nice to see the children with running buddies as this kept them somewhat motivated to keep hiking. The trail was fantastic and the weather held. The river was quite rough and the children were able to watch several groups of whitewater rafters go by. This trail was great for a group of kids as the grades were gentle and the terrain changed quite a bit. Harris found a deer skeleton and insisted on taking some bones home to study. We stopped for lunch in a meadow area and fed the kids as they explored the peculiarities of dirt and various insects. Amy was great enough to watch the kids as I snuck away to find a spot to meditate. A large flat boulder appeared around the next bend and so I climbed up on it. I allowed the sounds of the river and the fresh air to purify my breathing as I released the conscious stream of thought and stress from my responsibility. The weight left and the complexity and beauty of sounds all around me entered my awareness. In that moment when your mind finally clears you never quite know what will pop back in to this mental space. I took some minutes and processed these things and as I gathered my thoughts to go back to the group a large red carpenter ant bit me. It was time to leave and go back. The clouds darkened a bit as we made our way back. The children did pretty well and only really complained for the last mile or so. As soon as we got back to the vehicles the sky opened up and we scampered into the car and set out for home. We cooked dinner and then decided to hit up the hot springs again as the rain had eased up. We spent the next several hours soaking and relaxing and watching the children play. By the time it was time to leave they were all exhausted. We bathed them and put them to bed. Even Amy fell asleep with the children as she was stricken by the relaxed state that a hot tub induces. Tomorrow is the last day before we begin the journey home.