Did you know Santa Fe is the highest state capitol in the United States?

Yep, at 7,000 feet, New Mexico’s capitol sits at the foot of the Sangre de Christo Mountains.

Today, I’ll get a chance to climb one of them—the trail to 9,000’ Atalaya begins near St. John’s College on the city’s northeast side. The five-mile roundtrip features spectacular vistas of the Rio Grande River Valley to the west and south.

You can see the view from the top on my Facebook page. It’s my cover photo taken this May when I summited with the AC Finishers. I’ll think of them today.

That’s Nicolette in the pink sweater on the first row. She’s from Jamaica and came on her first Finisher trip because Chrystelle suggested it. Nicolette lives in the same apartment building as Chrystelle. Her husband Nicholas worked with Williance and they had become close friends.

Sangre de Christo—the name means Blood of Christ—and therein lies the hope that these four friends (indeed all of us) will one day be reunited on a higher mountain. Can’t wait to see the view from there.