Every year at this time I begin to think about climbing Pikes Peak. About 70 years ago, some friends and I packed a few sandwiches and started the climb. We left about 7:30 p.m., planning to arrive at the top and see the sunrise. How beautiful it was with the stars and comets flashing around our heads. We kept meeting other people going up or coming down.

As we moved up, we were getting short of breath. After passing the timberline we really slowed down. My 12-year-old brother said, “Go on, I’ll just stay here and die.” We would just take one breath and stop to catch our breath. Then some farm boys caught up with us and offered some help pulling us along.

About 3 a.m. we reached the locked rest house. A man who had been carrying his wife banged on the door, crying for help. They finally opened it up. Inside was a roaring fire in a big stove. We managed to move our worn-out bodies and flopped as near the stove as we could get.

Guess what? A big cloud covered the mountain top and we were unable to see any sun! Going down was a piece of cake.

I think our climate is changing. What wonderful, cool mornings and how good a blanket feels in August. Can you believe that?

If anyone headed for the mountains for a cool vacation spot they could have saved their money.

Say, those dear deer came back and ate the rest of my tomatoes. They must have wonderful memories. Thank goodness I have friends who share.

I’m enjoying the Olympics.

— NORMA HANNAFORD