August is here and when that happens, the sun starts to set on the summer.
Hearing school bells 🔔 ringing all over town is definitely a LOUD reminder that the lazy days of summer are almost gone.
For years we have celebrated August as the last hurrah of summer. Having our own homeschool schedule to follow has made me very protective of this month. I refuse to allow/accept that summer is over just because kids are back in the classroom. For us at Casa Walters, the ringing of the schools bells means that most public places, tourist hot spots, and nationals parks are less congested 🙌 It’s the starting bell to the last hurrah of summer!!! 😎
Because we still have work schedules to honor, our last of summer excursions have to be close. Short weekend warrior kind of thing. If you find yourself in the same boat, here are our top picks for quick weekend getaways & first reach health tools to help you make the most of them!
KASHA-KATUWE TENT ROCKS NATIONAL MONUMENT
This is a beautiful hike and always leaves me in awe. Kasha-Katuwe means “white cliffs” in the Keresan language and this beautiful monument is located on Cochiti Pueblo. The volcanic activity that formed the Jemez Mountains sculpted this peculiar landscape too. There are two hiking trails to choose from. We like the Slot Canyon Trail. Tent Rocks is day use only and they don’t allow pets. There is a per vehicle fee to enter. Our must have health tools for this excursion:
Balance & DigestZen in the Pilot diffuser for the drive up.
Correct X and bandaids for scrapes.
PastTense for headaches & sprains.
Deep Blue Stick to warm muscles before and ease sorness after.
sun Face + Body Mineral Sunscreen before and during hike.
sun After Sun Restorative Spray for after the hike.
VALLES CALDERA NATIONAL PRESERVe
We don’t make it here often. And when we do get to it, we always ask ourselves “Why don’t we come out here more often???” 🙄 Valles Caldera is 13.7-miles wide and is one of three “supervolcanoes” in the United States. A supervolcano is capable of producing eruptions thousands of times larger than a normal volcano. Fortunately these are very rare. The last time the Valles Caldera erupted it emitted 150 cubic miles of lava, propelling ash as far as Iowa. That was 1.2 million years ago. Thank goodness! These days, you can find hot springs, streams, fumaroles, natural gas seeps, volcanic domes, mountains, and grassy meadows. It’s a really special place. Definitely one to visit when you need to de-stress and reset. There’s a per vehicle entrance fee. And if you hike in, a per person fee. This space is dog friendly. Just be sure to keep them leashed! Our must have health tools for this excursion:
Balance & DigestZen in the Pilot diffuser for the drive up.
Correct X and bandaids for scrapes.
PastTense for headaches & sprains.
Deep Blue Stick to warm muscles before and ease sorness after.
sun Face + Body Mineral Sunscreen before and during hike.
sun After Sun Restorative Spray for after the hike.
Breathe Touch & Stick for respiratory support. These work wonderfully for our child with asthma in higher elevations.
TerraShield Spray because the skeeters here are rampant!
DigestZen Touch because there is some heavy snackage that happens on this hike.
Our DIY Tick & Flea Spray for our pups.
WHITE SANDS NATIONAL MONUMENt
This particular excursion requires a weekend. It’s 3 hours south of Albuquerque so it takes a bit more planning to make this happen. The bonus for us: We get to throw in a visit with my mom-in-law 
White Sands has the world’s largest gypsum dune field that covers covers more than 275 square miles. Gypsum doesn’t readily convert the sun’s energy into heat so the surface temperature of White Sands doesn’t get as hot as sand on a beach. Walking barefoot on the dunes is comfortable most of the year. Plan for a long day trip, perhaps even sun up to sun down. The golden light during those hours makes for amazing views! The road to the park can be closed due to missile testing so call ahead. There is a per vehicle fee and a per person fee if entering by foot.
Our must have health tools for this excursion:
Balance & DigestZen in the Pilot diffuser for the drive up.
Correct X and bandaids for scrapes.
PastTense for headaches & sprains.
Deep Blue Stick to warm muscles before and ease sorness after.
sun Face + Body Mineral Sunscreen before and during sand play.
sun After Sun Restorative Spray for after the sand play.
DigestZen Touch because there is some heavy snackage that happens on this hike.
Our DIY Tick & Flea Spray for our pups.
spa Hand & Body Lotion to replinish moisture from constant hand washing.
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Want to stay closer to home? We have beautiful mountains with awesome trails right in our own backyard! The Bosque trails next to the river are a wonderful in-town excursion. You can even take the train up to Santa Fe and get lunch on the plaza. And if you haven’t hit the Bio Park this summer, now is just as good as time as any! Not sure what to gather for your First Reach Health Tools? How about doTERRA’s Ready Kit? It’s still available and has everything you need to keep you protected from head to foot. So easy to grab & go! And you don’t have to spend time putting it together.
So what about you? How does your August unfold? I’d love to hear about your last hurrahs of summer! Share them with us in our private FB Group or comment on this post.
Wishing all of you who are already on a school schedule a wonderful school year! I’m happy to help set you up for success with some natural solutions for your students and you! Email or text me so we can set up a time to chat.
Choose natural. Live healthy. Laugh often.
Blessings ~ Romelia:)