Losing a Mind, Finding a Soul
Sunday, July 21st, 2024: Hikes, Nature, Plants, Southwest New Mexico.
I went for a short hike near town – the start of a longer hike I do regularly when I don’t have a hurt knee. This first stretch gently ascends a canyon bottom on a primitive road, finally becoming a foot trail nearly two miles up the canyon.
Returning down the road I encountered an older couple. The man looked like a 19th-century outlaw, with bright eyes, an impressive mustache, and a hat I envied. We agreed that the canyon was surprisingly dry considering the rain we’d had in the past week. That led to talk of climate change, and a world that’s going to hell in a handbasket. As locals, we agreed that we’re probably living in the best possible place – high in the mountains and far from the crowds. The man said “I’m just glad this is all happening at the end of my life – kids today are facing a bleak future.”
Not wanting to end on such a sour note, I replied “Well, the canyon’s full of beautiful flowers and butterflies today.”
The man smiled. “A friend told me he goes to the forest to lose his mind and find his soul.”
Enjoy the flowers and butterflies!
