SOWERRVing: Hiking the Sandia Crest

If I knew previously to hiking what I know now, NO, I would not do it! 12.5 miles from 6,300 ft. above sea level to 10,600 ft. above sea level in 7 hrs. was all I could possibly do on any given Saturday just outside Albuquerque, NM called the Sandia Crest. We began about 10:30 a.m. parked our car at the tram, hiked over to the La Luz Trail and then UP UP UP all day long. We arrived at the top of the tram at approximately 5:00 p.m., had to wait an hour to ride down and then pick up our pizza, drive back to camp, eat, take a shower and in bed within 45 min. of opening the door of the RV! I think I will eventually lose the toe nail beside my big toe on my right foot but YES, it was worth the effort and I know I saw scenes that most people will not see in a lifetime. There were times that the trail was no wider than 12 inches and if I had looked over my shoulder periodically during times that we were mountain huggers, I could have lost it! Oh man, also there was one point where we were passed by 2 younger hikers and looked up at a distance and if someone had told me that we would encounter switch backs along a boulder field, I probably would have said, "Wayne you go on ahead and I will meet you at the car!" Sometimes just plundering ahead is better than turning back and if you do the math, there might not be enough day light hours to do just that! The last 7 miles Wayne let me lead. Now that I think back about that I am not so sure it was for me to set the pace but to keep me from tucking tail and turning around! What an adventure. Ok, done that, will not do again for sure, or any other massive trail hiking for that matter! This body is hanging it up for that type of exercise. One week later I have had to overcome vertigo which I highly suspect that the hike started that process. Ears still popping and altitude nausea has set in. Thank goodness we are leaving Thursday, from camping at 6,300 ft above sea level to Sarah & Vince's in Flagstaff at 7,100 ft. GOOD GRIEF - RV CRAZY OR WHAT?!