Even in harsh conditions, we thrive

White Sands National Park Sometimes living in the desert I am struck by how harsh the living conditions are. Just a few miles up the Sandia Mountains on the outskirts of Albuquerque, the landscape is dry and hot, filled with cacti and rattlers. It is not a hike for the faint at heart, or those …

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Finding a Good Hike for a Good Old Pair of Boots

Today I went for a mountain hike with my almost sixteen year old son, and our exuberant and lovely dog. We were alone on the trail, and we both spent time reminiscing about all the time we've spent on the beautiful Italianos Trail. It was delightful to listen to my son remember his stories -- that …

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Why Dirt Road?

Why Dirt Road Journal? The short answer is because my family loves to get off road and have an adventure. But there's a lot more to it too. We are adventurous souls. Being on the road of life pushes boundaries and comfort zones, and adventure makes new rules and breaks old ones. That is where real …

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Finding the Santa Fe Trail (Part I)

Sometimes things that aren't lost are pretty hard to find. And once you discover them, you realize you've simply got to tell everyone you know because the treasure just might disappear forever if other people don't know about it. This is how we felt about finding Fort Union National Park about thirty miles north of Las …

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Sunday morning walk to Petaca Point

A short drive over Taos Junction Bridge and up a steep dirt road with several switchbacks to the West Rim of the Rio Grande Gorge will take you to the trailhead of Petaca Point Trail. Petaca Canyon is an easy four miles, along the rim of the Rio Grande Gorge. Because the trail runs along …

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Sunset Project at Daylight Savings

Over the weekend the time of the sunset shifted by an hour. I adjusted by alarm to remind me to take my photograph. But I laughed because "sunset photo!" is becoming a part of our family evening. . . a family activity as we think about our evening walk or run, or part of our …

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