We got back to our RV at 11:05, after the marvelous balloon rides and we were zonked. We were at 7000’ plus, we had not had eaten any food this morning and we had been on the road for 4 days and were tired. Ah, maybe it was also the excitement that did us in. We ate our breakfast and sat a bit. Aaah - stomach: OK, energy level: Uggh. Gary even laid down on our sofa, but he only stayed down for 2 minutes, max. But, we were not down long: by 3:00 we were ready to hike around Church Rock which stands tall above the park. Calling us.
We took off and what a marvelous trail it was. The trail was well marked: I mean, how could anyone miss these cairns? Stand at one and look for the next. Easy trail to follow. Oh, wait, maybe not.
We got quite close to Church Rock and expected the trail to circle it. But, there were no more cairns. Monster cairns for the first half of the trail and then nothing. Hmmm.
We thought the trail went around Church Rock so we headed that way. We found what we thought was the trail. Oops, wrong turn. We headed back down to where we had started wrong and tried another trail. Not so well marked. We continued, circling Church Rock but we decided we were on a ’social trail’, an unofficial trail that others have made, not an official Ranger made trail. But, boy, we were not the only ones who had been on this trail. Wide and used.
The views across the valley to the next cliffs is amazing. Lots of homes in this area. It’s part of the Navajo Nation Tribal Lands.
Oops, the leaves are turning, even here.
We kept circling the Rock and then came upon a cement platform and this pump. Hey, what’s with a pump in the wilderness? Pretty soon, there will be a coffee bar and an ice cream stand. Ah. who knows why this pump is here.
We circled the rock, got back to another trail and headed back towards the campground. This part of the trail is well-marked. In fact it has these cool footprint-sized steps carved out of the rock. Whoo-eee. Cool trail. Love these steps in the rocks.
Finally we got back to our RV, had dinner and called it a day. But one last picture of the sun glowing on this rock as it sinks beyond the horizon. It was absolutely incandescent.
Marvelous day beginning with a surprise balloon ride above Red Rock Canyons and ending with a glorious hike around Church Rock.
‘But that’s the thing about adventures: you’re invited to take a chance without knowing the outcome, and all that matters is that you say yes.’
Tom Ryan in Following Atticus
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