Lazarow World-Hike-About

“Am I having fun yet?” I kept asking myself as I struggled up the steep, winding series of switchbacks. They seemed endless. The hot sun baked my skin as I plodded onwards and upwards, breathing heavily. It was a solid 3-mile climb to the saddle, and another mile to reach the summit of Atalaya Mountain. At last! – My answer had to be “yes”. It was definitely worth the effort and the sweat. To look out at the whole city of Santa Fe some 2300 feet below, and Colorado in the distance, to see many varying peaks of the tree studded Jemez mountain range in the distance - mountains that we looked up to at the start, we were now looking down upon. It was beautiful. It was outstanding. A time to rest, ponder, drink and take pictures – and then to make our way back, downhill, Baruch Hashem! Another great hike, another wonderful day.

We are in Santa Fe, a city much smaller than we envisioned. Nevertheless, it is the biggest we have seen in New Mexico. In fact, we have not seen many people or towns since we arrived a week ago. It seems a great number of people remained in ‘Old Mexico’ or have emigrated to Arizona and California. The city is filled with art, artists, galleries and restaurants. Outside the city, there are mountains, trees, lakes and rivers. It is a nice combination, something for everyone or at least for us. Today our editor chose a hike that culminates at Lake Nambe just short of seven miles, but rated strenuous by the experts. The climb, in the beginning and for the last half-mile, was so steep it meant that we gained elevation at a rate of about 1800 feet per mile over those parts. This is serious stuff. I felt so bad for our editor. She is no longer a young woman and the climb must have been exhausting. However, she is showing a ‘lot of guts’. We attribute this to eating too well on the trail....

We traveled from Angel Fire to Santa Fe via Los Alamos today. This was after enjoying a remarkable Shabbos. Irv Samit sent us an email suggesting, as we were close, that we ought to ‘mosey’ on down and have a look at the latest in ‘nuclear weaponry’. In fact, we intended to stay over and hike in the area on the Monday. However, we found the experience at the Bradbury Museum very sobering and decided to continue towards Santa Fe. It’s not that we were unaware of the Manhattan Project and the ramifications of exploding those bombs of incredible force (which today are like firecrackers); but rather the tragedy that civilization is so focused on destruction. How far we have come—or always been—from loving our neighbor. Nevertheless, I am deeply grateful that America holds that power. My fear is the current office holders, who ought to know better, might not understand human behavior. Rather than bore you with my thoughts, I remembered a story heard from Rabbi Ordman, which I believe is inc...