Wheel Chair Excursion

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Today was cloudy, but still lots of sun. We headed out to Bandilier National Monument located a little south of Los Alamos and due west of Santa Fe. I had only been there once before and it was a positive memory. Stopped along the way at the San Idafanso Pueblo, but the walking tour would be difficult for Emily , so on to Bandilier.

Emily was impressed and frustrated. The park has about 70 hiking trails and this is nirvana to the hiker. However we were able to take a short trail behind the visitor center which was mostly flat and wheelchair accessible. Off we went with a state of the art federal gov wheelchair - Dennis pushing and Emily giving directions: “don't get so close to the edge”, “stop I wasn't finished reading”, “this is to steep, I will walk”, “get a photo of that area”. I was the perfect attendant and even honored her every request with gritted teeth.

In the picture of Emily limping up an incline holding on to the handrail, you notice the wheelchair is parked at the bottom of the hill. The big question is how did it get up the steps and safely tucked under Emily's behind. We were fortunate to encounter a good Samaritan to help me carry, not roll up the 50 some steps.

For those who know me are aware I can perspire profusely. On this day in the high 70's, in bright sun, and pushing a wheelchair, my shirt and shorts were soaked after ascending the stairs. My hands were slipping on the wheelchair hand-holds and when a steep downhill appeared, I was concerned my hands could have easily slipped and a modicum of revenge could be taken. However if Emily only suffered additional injuries and my carelessness was the cause, the problems would have only been compounded. Revenge maybe sweet, but logic and reason again won out. We finished our trek in a picnic ground restoring some of the the energy lost during the 1.5 mile push.

BTW - I consider this a must visit if you happen to be in Northern NM.

As we entered Los Alamos it started to rain. We were looking for the Bradbury museum. Emily was in conflict about Los Alamos - the A-bomb was developed in the Los Alamos labs and was used only twice, but millions of Japanese were kill or burn or disfigured and their offspring suffered for decades. Since the end of WW2, scientific work has continued at the lab. Much of its outcome has been positive and advanced humanity, but there is still much top secret government work behind closed doors.

Tonight was our last opera and it was one neither of us had seen - Tales of Hoffmann. Act 1 was difficult to understand as a man was trying to marry off his daughter who had been constructed from mechanical body parts. However when Hoffmann wore these magic glasses she was beautiful and non-robotic. The performers were great and their vocals hit the mark, but following the performers as they played different parts in each act was difficult. Plus it was cold as the audience wrapped up in blankets, table clothes, or whatever was available while the performers and orchestra were comforted by overhead heaters. Although only a little chilly but experiencing a little discomfort (OK pain) from earlier in the day, we left after the 2nd act ready for our day in Taos.

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