To summarize the day: Everything hurts and I’m dying. Hiked down a steep-ass canyon into Bandelier National Park this morning. Not a soul on the trail with us until we got down to the canyon floor where the monument(s) are. Was very peaceful. Parts of the trail were pretty jaunty. It’s a good thing I’m not afraid of heights. Walked around the canyon floor and checked out the ancient settlements. Tried to get a picture of the petroglyphs. This one is supposed to be a macaw. Looks like a dog to me. And then – the hike back UP the steep-ass canyon. My heart almost exploded. Having a tough time with the altitude. And I really need to get myself a walking stick. A sporty one, though.

Still, beats the hell out of Meow Wolf.

After almost dying on our hike, we drove into Los Alamos for lunch. Because I was quickly approaching hangry. And, after 31 years of marriage, Ken knows better than to let that develop. Found a super local joint (thanks, Yelp), and I finally got my blue corn enchiladas with Christmas (half red and half green) chile. Tbh, I was a little nervous about the chile situation in NM. My stomach has a history of not playing well with chiles. But I’m in Rome, so chiles. Delicious. I ate every bite.

Despite still being completely drenched in hiking sweat, and smelling something less than fresh, we were right next door to the Bradbury Science Museum in Los Alamos. Had to peek inside. Learned all about the Manhattan Project and life in Los Alamos during World War II. Really well done museum. Ken really enjoyed all the sciency stuff. Could have stayed longer, but my desire for a shower was greater than my desire to learn about nuclear fission. Or is it fusion? Honestly, no clue.

Still lots of super secret stuff going on in Los Alamos. We drove into town through a security gate where we were told not to take any pictures of any kind between there and the first traffic light. Odd, but they looked super serious about it, so I followed the rules.

Feeling much better post-shower. We were going to go out for drinks tonight, but my knees said, how ‘bout we don’t? Staying in, Breaking Bad marathon.