Since moving back to New Mexico from North Carolina, I have been seriously missing the forest. I have found my spot! And it is only about 30 minutes from where I live in the high desert. This is Cibola National Forest on the eastern side of the Sandia Mountain range. The trails feel lush and hiking today I spotted many deer, several in velvet, four turkey, a chipmunk, and listened to a multitude of birds singing – inspiring, after a week in the city of Albuquerque. I watched a young buck climb a rock wall to join an adult buck grazing in a grassy area, a doe and youngster grazing, and a lone buck and lone doe at various points. I feel completely blessed by all these beings sharing their presence with me.