rewind to summer vacation: our 8 year hike-a-versary

September 25, 2013


celebrating 8 years with a hike to the highest point in new mexicocelebrating 8 years with a hike to the highest point in new mexicocelebrating 8 years with a hike to the highest point in new mexicocelebrating 8 years with a hike to the highest point in new mexicocelebrating 8 years with a hike to the highest point in new mexicocelebrating 8 years with a hike to the highest point in new mexicocelebrating 8 years with a hike to the highest point in new mexicocelebrating 8 years with a hike to the highest point in new mexicocelebrating 8 years with a hike to the highest point in new mexicocelebrating 8 years with a hike to the highest point in new mexicocelebrating 8 years with a hike to the highest point in new mexicocelebrating 8 years with a hike to the highest point in new mexicocelebrating 8 years with a hike to the highest point in new mexicocelebrating 8 years with a hike to the highest point in new mexicocelebrating 8 years with a hike to the highest point in new mexicocelebrating 8 years with a hike to the highest point in new mexicocelebrating 8 years with a hike to the highest point in new mexicocelebrating 8 years with a hike to the highest point in new mexicocelebrating 8 years with a hike to the highest point in new mexicocelebrating 8 years with a hike to the highest point in new mexicocelebrating 8 years with a hike to the highest point in new mexicocelebrating 8 years with a hike to the highest point in new mexicocelebrating 8 years with a hike to the highest point in new mexicocelebrating 8 years with a hike to the highest point in new mexicocelebrating 8 years with a hike to the highest point in new mexicocelebrating 8 years with a hike to the highest point in new mexicoThe weather forecast predicted no rain on this day, so I took my SLR with us on the hike. There’s an overload of pictures because every view and step of that hike was just ah-mazing! Ben and I didn’t to anything to celebrate our anniversary on the day-of, so we said we would reserve a special day for us while we were on vacation to sneak in a little date to celebrate. We had originally planned to explore Taos together and eat yummy food all day long, but once we learned about this hike, we were both game and wanted to accomplish something like this together.

We hiked to the top of Wheeler Peak, which is the highest point in New Mexico. It was 15 miles round trip and we were gone from 7:30am to 4pm, but oh it was so worth it! There were so many times when it felt like we were never going to make it to the top. It was long and steep, and we’re totally amateur hikers, but we kept going together. We kept going up, and up, and up, until we finally made it! We were in the clouds once we got to the top, but we did get a little bit of sun long enough to have our packed lunch together as we admired everything around us. Once it started getting chilly, we made our way back down.

Going down was less huffing and puffing, but definitely more strain on the legs. As we were going down, I kept finding pretty rocks (some pretty large) and I would have Ben hold them (and I held a couple) to take home as souvenirs. Ben had to keep telling me, “No more rocks!” By the time we got back down and into the car, we were both so exhausted!

It felt so good to do something like this together. The hike was a nice break from the noisy chaotic day-to-day lives we lead, so it gave us lots of thinking and praying time, and best of all, we were together. We enjoyed the silence and loved being surrounded by nature. I totally got bit with the hiking bug and want conquer more mountains together! Ben’s foot was hurting a bit from the hike, so he’s a little more apprehensive about it, but I’m thinking if we try out some trekking poles, that might help alleviate some of the pressure and strain we put on our legs and feet. I really just love the challenge of the hike and want to do more. I was so nervous and nauseous in the beginning because I didn’t know what to expect, but once we got our rhythm, it felt good. I know we need to get more practice and maybe the right gear, but I want to keep hiking mountains. I totally have Mt. Whitney on my list now, but I’m not sure how long it’s going to take until we’re ready for that one. I say we climb that for our 10 year anniversary!!!

Any of you legit hikers? That feeling you get once you reach the top is exhilarating and I want Ben and I to experience it again!

 

12 comments on “rewind to summer vacation: our 8 year hike-a-versary”

  • Sarah M says:

    If you aren’t regular hikers, 15 miles is a LOT to do! Anyone’s feet would hurt! That is so awesome that you made it, and that you got to do something like that for your anniversary together.
    We live in the Pacific Northwest (prime hiking everywhere) and we hike regularly with our kids. They can go up to 3 miles (all together) now, and they’re 4 & 6. Most of the time they are running. It’s amazing the amount of energy kids have. Your kiddos could easily work up to that, with the littlest in a backpack if you have one! It’s a great way to burn off their energy and not have a terrorized house (one of the reasons we take our kids outside everyday). Just remember snacks and water!
    Sarah M

    • Rubyellen says:

      I’d love it if hiking was right out of our front door! Sounds dreamy!

      Oh it was long! We did 5 miles the day before with the girls, so two straight long hike days were insane, but so fun! We regularly workout, so we figured we could handle it (at least we were hoping!), so for the most part we were okay, but definitely feeling a little bit sore the next day. Somehow though, Ben still woke up early the next day to work out! I stayed in bed and slept in! Ha!

  • Nikki says:

    what beautiful scenery! and i love that your family loves hiking. what a fun and healthy hobby!

    xxoo,
    nikki

    http://www.dreaminneon.blogspot.com

  • Deirdre says:

    Stunning! What a great way to celebrate and happy eight years.

  • nan says:

    Looked like a beautiful hike! Definitely get hiking poles – oh, they help a LOT, esp. going down – poles make a nice Christmas gift. 🙂

  • J says:

    Mt baldy’s icehouse canyon hike is 8 miles round trip to the saddle(there are longer hikes also) we did it with a toddler half in a hiking pack and half walking. (You can also take the lift up and hike around and down.) just don’t forget the bug spray!

  • Anne says:

    I used to go backpacking and camping all the time, and with that was a lot of hiking. The longest backpacking trip I did was for 10 days up kings canyon national park and it was so worth it. We had all our gear (food, cookware, clothing, tents) on our backs hiking up this huge mountain, and at the end of each day we would get to our destination to set up camp (with 30 lbs of gear on our back). It was hard but amazing because you see so many things that you would never see doing regular car camping. So much untouched beauty out there! My husband is not much of a camper (likes beds, real ceilings and showers too much ha ha) but he does love to hike. For Thanksgiving our tradition (before kids) was to go on a 6 mile hike up Temescal Canyon and back and we did lots of trails around the LA area. Of course with the kids not as much but definitely when they get older we will have them come along.
    Besides poles I suggest you get hiking/trail boots to support your feet and ankles. Those would help a lot as well. Once you start getting into this though there’s so outdoor and hiking gear that you are going to ooh and ahh over that you think you’ll need to buy! 🙂

    • Rubyellen says:

      Anne! You’re totally legit!!! I will look up temescal canyon. That sounds like fun!

      • Anne says:

        Check out Etiwanda Canyon too. It’s a gorgeous hike that takes you to Etiwanda Falls. The trail base is a few miles from Rancho Cucamonga. A hidden gem in the middle of the IE. Only reason I know about it is that we did a biology field trip there when I was in high school (many many years ago).

  • Denise says:

    What a wonderful way to celebrate your anniversary. We haven’t done much hiking together as a couple, but when I was younger I hiked with my family. We always loved it. I do want to get back to hiking more. I love the outdoors and the challengers of hiking

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