Fall...what is fall? So I don't really know what happened to fall but winter has decided to show itself at the beginning of November here in the 505. It's amazing what happens with the weather here, not complaining but I don't understand why fall has to be skipped. Two and a half weeks ago we were in t-shirts most of the day and now it's winter coat cold...hmmm...too bad there has still be no moisture.
Jemez hiking trip led to the latest hiking trip...Mike and I went to Mt. Taylor this past Sunday. We took the bus so he could fulfill his desire to off road up to the top of Mt. Taylor. It took about three hours to make it from Albuquerque to the top where the road was blocked but it was quite the view. I remember many stories from Pop-Pop about going to Mt. Taylor. He liked to take my uncles when they came to town. I figured that the view must be great and there should be some good trails...well about halfway up to the top the temperature dropped dramatically. Then we started to see snow on the sides of the road and in the ravines around the mountain. Snow! Crazy! So we get to the top and the wind is blowing so the temperature is quite winter-like but man the view...wow. God's creation never ceases to amaze me. We walked around and visited the look out tower but found that the cold made exploring almost unbearable. Mike and I headed back down to a side road where we found a nice open space for our picnic lunch. It was great. Then we ended up pulling off the sweatshirts and laying in the sun in t-shirts, where the temperature was quite pleasant for November. What a great day it was for an adventure! That makes three great hiking adventures thus far...many more to come. I believe the next hiking day will be much closer to Albuquerque than Chaco Canyon, Jemez Springs and Mt. Taylor.
School is going well. I am working toward getting all of my final projects done before Thanksgiving so I can relax over Thanksgiving weekend and enjoy the last two weeks of school by just showing up to class. I am looking forward to the new experiences that will come with the next two semesters and a summer session of taking classes to work toward my TESOL endorsement. Super excited about the way school is turning out and can't wait to get my schedule for next semester and start planning other activities. God has blessed me with some wonderful professors and friends in the college of education and I am super excited to see how this whole undergraduate degree turns out. I am a school nerd. I know. Math class makes me more of a nerd every week. Today we made the Platonic solids with straws and watched youtube videos about three dimensional objects. SUCH FUN!
I am thankful this November for friends, family, health and the many new experiences of this semester. Dad had surgery a few weeks ago and is recovering well. Mom is taking care of Dad, her class and myself all at the same time. Grandma Long and Grandpa Mike are doing well. Mark and Amy will be home for Thanksgiving after not visiting since moving to Ohio last summer. Mike and I are having fun getting to spend time together and going on adventures...so many things have happened since school began in August. God has blessed me with wonderful family and friends. May He bless you and your families.
Today I am praising God for Sabrina, Mindy, and Kristina, my three partners in crime in the college of education who make class so much fun and have become good friends in the process of taking four classes together. I love you all!
Blessings to you and your family and friends as we enter this time for thanks and time with those that we love.
Your sister in Christ,
Julie
