Relaxing in Our Own Ways

This weekend has been what most working folks would call a relaxing weekend, away from stress and distress, laid back and refreshing.

John went trout fishing for several hours each morning and late each afternoon.  While he’s gone I putter around the RV or do some crocheting.  Saturday morning I took a short hike up the Maverick trail.  I took the trail less traveled and lost it several times but then found it again due to someone placing rock cairns or rusted cans on tree limbs along the way. The path ended on a forest road and I hiked up it about a mile before turning back so I logged about 2.4 miles.

Late morning found us driving to Cimarron, a small village famous for the many cowboys and outlaws who have been through 'these here parts’ - people like Annie Oakley, Billy the Kid, Wild Bill Hickock, Doc Holliday, the James Gang, Bat Masterson and many more.  The old St. James Hotel, built in 1872 is still in business and we had lunch in their dinning room.  The antique store was in an old brewery built in circa 1864 and has been a saloon, gas station and now a store.  The Old Mill was closed but it had been built about that same time and is used now as a museum.

Apparently it’s a custom to throw your ‘used’ boots onto the sign at the entrance of Philmont.

Four miles past Cimarron is the Philmont Boy Scout Ranch.  A Mr. Phillips donated 127,000 acres of land the the Boy Scouts in the 1950’s (I think?).  We drove by the base camp which is slowly closing down for the winter.  We saw the un-canvased framework for all the tents with their iron cots still sitting inside.  There are still a few scouts around but mostly it was tourists and cowboys.  There is a cowboy poetry and song thing happening all weekend.

Sunday John got up really early to fish while I went to church in Cimarron.  One gentleman told me that the Scouts do 10 day hikes into the wilderness of the Ranch, traveling from 50-85 miles round trip. 

This afternoon, we took a short 3.5 mile hike up Clear Creek Canyon along Clear Creek.  There were several cascades and small waterfalls all along the way.  I was disappointed to see no sign of bear or elk but it was a pretty hike.  A couple of times we had to do some rock climbing and we crossed the creek on log bridges four times.  Its a good thing we both can balance well!

A big campfire rounded out our leisurely day.