Rowan awoke to a breakfast of "Toad in the Hole," Malt O Meal and grapes. She pretended to eat the egg which was overcooked... We decided to go up the Sandia Peak Tramway which is the worlds longest aerial tramway. So, we loaded up a fanny pack with water and snacks (and unfortunately left behind the tissues - we will get to this later), slathered ourselves with sunscreen, and put on our hiking shoes. Rowan has been infatuated with cacti while she's been here in the southwest, and we saw many on the drive up to the base of the mountian (about 8 miles from the house). The tram is fun - there was no wind, which made the goings easy...
At the top we decided to hike out to the Kiwana's cabin which was built in the 1930s by a government sponsored corps. The hike was about a mile and a quarter each way. On the way up to the cabin we were followed by "the loud men" (some group of guys with cell phones), so even though Rowan was tired (we were at 10,300 ft) she kept hurring ahead. Eventually we just let the loud men pass us while we ate some nuts and water (they looked thirsty but we just smiled). We also met 2 forest ranger type women (they were both with curly white hair, but looked in good shape) along the trail and they gave Ro a smokey the bear pencil sharpener and
a Smokey bandana!! I was jealous!! I think they were volunteers looking out for forest fires. All of the Sandia mountian trails are closed (whith the exception of the ski run trails and the one we were on) because of the huge fire risk currently. Ususally Sandia Crest gets like 100 inches of snow, and this year we got 18!! Ro saw lots of fossils in the rocks along the trail. 
So we made it to the cabin and Ro began climbing all over it like a monkey. She eventually convinced me to climb up too... i tried to act cool, but really I was shaking! There were amazing views!! So, we were enjoying the views and the rocks on the cabin when Ro says, "I've got to go potty RIGHT NOW!" Then I discover it is #2!!!!
AAAEEEEEE! SO we hurry down of the crest back into some wooded areas and treck into the forest so that we are hidden. As we do Ro reminds me that the forest is closed because of the fire danger! Thanks Ro! So, it is at the point when i am digging a hole in the forest floor that I seriously wish I hadn't taken those tissues out of my fanny pack and also remembered to pack some hand sanitizer!! Ro was a trooper and drip dried as the elder Wilson taught us to (we changed and bathed when we got home)!! On the way down the mountian, Ro told me stories of lies and jealousy among the 6-7 year old crowd in KC...
Back at home auntie thought she might fall asleep while walking, but carried on to fullfill one very cute 7 year olds request for homeade mac n cheeze (whith cheddar and peppar jack and whole wheat noodles and a parmesan/bread crumb crust). Ro played polly pockets online agian, then played with the dawgs. By the time Hondo got home she had become a beast! We were able to talk her down, so we decided to continue with our planned "Twilight Zoo Tour." So we were in a group of about 8 people (there were about 6 groups) and that was all for the entire 80 acre zoo!! Very cool. Our docent took 
us to Africa and Austrailia and then a quick look at the large cats and the Mexican Lobos (wolves). So, after 2 hours of zoo tour auntie and uncle were tired. Here's Ro on the Lobo statue.
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