Thirty-nine TrailBlazers, including several newcomers, made the scenic drive to Mt. Nebo to hike the Rim Trail on a sunny, very warm day. It was the warmest ever; it is usually a little cool and breezy at the start of this hike, and many wore gloves last year! Linda stepped in as hike leader since our very own Nebo Dude had other fish to fry. At the Visitors Center we were pleased with the welcome addition of new restrooms for both men and women.

This “easy” hike seemed to have more rocks and steps than on other occasions, which suggests that some of us are either having senior memory problems or some hobgoblins have dumped additional rocks on the trail to make us look bad. Surely memory is not failing us? It does seem that we had to spend quality time watching our feet, dodging rocks, and pussyfooting down steep steps. At one point it appeared that we were on the wrong trail and we consulted a map, but we weren’t actually lost. Sometimes we do things like this on purpose just to give the impression to newcomers that we are humble with the typical human frailties of lesser mortals – like anybody is going to believe that! In any case, we improvised our way, passed Nebo Dude’s house on the road, and then continued on to Sunrise Point and picked up the trail without incident.

Our trekking was definitely leisurely, but it was actually hot at the end and it did give people the chance to chat without gasping for air with each step. There were only faint hints of fall color. We did see some Beauty Berry, but not in the profusion we are accustomed to. We were pleased to have beautiful panoramic views from the trail since there were some thick patches of fog on the road en route. For several hikers, both new and old, this was their first time on Mt. Nebo. Great day, great company!