The “Peak” of Nature

Professors House states that, “According to the National Institutes of Health, 17% of children andadolescents aged 2 to 19 years were overweight in 2004. And what’s more alarming is 32.2% of adults suffer from obesity (that’s almost 90 million) – which is a dangerous step up from just being plain overweight. Another 30% of Americans are simply overweight” (Professors House). Most of the reasons americans are overweight are due to bad eating habits and not having enough physical activity in their daily routine. With the convenience and increases of technology, you never have to leave your house. Children would rather stay inside and eat junk food while playing video games or watching television, than use their imaginations,play out side, and challenge their minds. Parents need to do their part and make time to take their children outdoors to play at parks or other places of recreation.A great physical family activity to do is hiking. What better place to hike than the Sandia mountains?

The Sandia Mountains are a great place to get an outdoor experience, and participate in some of the true potential that nature has to offer; more specifically the Sandia Crest Scenic Highway. The mountain area is about thirty minutes out of town. Having the Sandia Mountains in Albuquerque’s backyard is a luxury most big cities don’t have.When you first drive on the thirteen mile stretch of the Sandia Crest Scenic Highway to climb up the steep winding side of the mountain, you immediately notice the rows and rows of trees and greenery along the side of the black asphalt. Wild flowers grow everywhere along the path of the mountain. Yellows, purples, and even some reds mix with the tall stalks of grass that grow. As you travel further into the mountain, you can notice some of the trees starting to change color in anticipation of the fall season that approaches. Throughout the journey up the mountain are a numerous amount of camp sites, hiking trails, and viewing points along the way. The best time to make this drive is about fifteen minutes before sunrise.If you travel the Sandia Crest Scenic Highway in that time span, the journey up hill is that much more enjoyable. As the sun begins to peak over the horizon, the sky begins to manifest with blues, purples, and oranges. These colors begin to rip through the darkness of the night to shinethrough the trees.When you finally reach the Sandia Crest and step out of your vehicle, you are immediately greeted with the the fresh cool air of the morning.

As you hike up the stairs to the viewing point, you truly feel the essence of peace that nature offers.

The environment is quiet, with exception of a cool breeze drafting past your ears. At the top of the viewing area you walk on the rough terrain of pavement stone to the railing on the edge to view the city (west side of mountain).

To the east of the mountain you will notice the city lights of Albuquerque, NewMexico, just beginning to dim from the sunrise. If you happen to gaze upon the side of the mountain you will notice splotches of an almost gold color scattered across the mountain side.

The Sandia Crest gains a little over a mile of elevation from Albuquerque (Sandia Crest Scenic Byway). The Crest itself is 10,678 feet above sea level (Sandia Crest Scenic Byway). The Sandia Mountains are home to many different types of birds, mammals, reptiles. and insects. The mountain range is also home to nearly two hundred miles of trails spreading throughout both sides of the mountain (Hiking in the Sandia Mountains). “The lower end of the Sandia Crest Scenic Byway is in Cedar Crest. In Cedar Crest is the Museum of Archaeology and Material

Culture where you'll find exhibits of Native American artifacts going back about 12,000 years. One exhibit also details the archaeological finds at Sandia Cave and discusses local turquoise mining” (Sandia Crest Scenic Byway). This is a highly encouraged museum to visit to educate your self, as well as your family, on the historical culture New Mexico has to offer. Many people get lazy and start to not only physically challenge themselves, but mentally as well.

“A place for family time, and the exploration of nature,”

is how Sandy Anderson, wife and mother of two, describes the mountain area. Sandy Anderson is a hard working mother who likes to encourage her children to spend more time outside, rather than inside. Sandy and husband Michael, try to bring their kids up to the Sandia Mountain area at least once every other week. “I love to bing my children here on weekends to explore all the things in nature the city doesn’t have to offer.I was brought here as a little girl, and love to bring my children here in hopes of continuing a tradition for generations to come.” When Sandy and Michael bring their children to the Sandia Mountain area she likes to take them on hiking trails, to the Sandia Crest, and picnic in local camping sites. “The views from the crest are breathtaking,” Sandy claims.The Sandia mountains offer so much more than jus hiking trails, camping and picnic area, and sight seeing. The mountain offers rock climbing, the worlds largest tram ride, the Sandia Ski Basin, and Cibola National Forest. Nature is a true place for relaxation and escaping everyday life from the city. Most people, especially children,never leave the city much less the comfort of their own neighborhood.

Works Cited:

“Hiking in the Sandia Mountians.” http://www.friendsofthesandias.org/hiking.html Friends of the Sandia Mountains, n.d. n.p.

“Percent of Americans Who are Obese.” http://www.professorshouse.com/Health-Beauty/Nutrition/Articles/Percent-of-Americans-Who-are-Obese/ Professors House, n.d n.p

“Sandia Crest Byways.” http://byways.org/explore/byways/2086. American Byway’s, n.d. n.p.

Wang, Shirley S., “Connecting the Built & Natural Envionments.” http://dirt.asla.org/2011/09/08/research-shows-nature-helps-with-stress/ The Dirt, n.p.

Pictures all by: Marcos Romero