Ring Around the Rim

Summer travel plans had put my friends' Monday hiking series on pause, until today. The group united for a relatively short outing to accommodate various afternoon commitments, settling on Alum Rock Park.

One intrepid member, recovering from surgery just a few days ago to repair a shattered shoulder, hiked with her arm in a sling. [Impressive. And not something you'd find me doing.]

The view across the valley showed a thin tail of smoke seeping in beneath our stunning blue sky; there is some hope it will stay aloft in the atmosphere.

My GPS track is a bit wonky; we probably covered somewhere between 5 and 6 miles, with less than 1,000 feet of elevation gain. But that's not the main point.

The main point is the restorative power of being out in the natural world, in the company of friends, enjoying good conversation—and for me, the luxury of just following the leader and not having to think or decide anything. For all of this, I am thankful.