Guided Hikes form June at Rio Grande del Norte National MonumentMay 31st, 2013 12:18pm - Posted By: Kara
Explore the new monument with guided hikes for June 2013
June 1-Sat 9:00 am Las Vistas de Questa Trail 3 hrs June 2-Sun 8:30 am La Vista Verde Trail 2 hrs
Meet at the trailhead 1/2 mile west of Taos Junction Bridge for this easy 2.5 mile roundtrip hike in the Lower Gorge. Wonderful views in the Gorge, with petroglyphs and geology-in-action. June 8-Sat 8:30 am The Slide Trail (Old 570) 2 hrs Meet at the very end of C-110, a few miles past the UNM Klauer Campus, for this moderate two mile roundtrip hike—a perfect introduction to the Rio Grande Gorge, the Rio Pueblo canyon, petroglyphs and geology in action.
Meet at the trailhead off of NM 378 (Wild Rivers Back Country Byway). This is a difficult 4.5 mile roundtrip hike to the top of one of the nine peaks in the Monument over 8,000 feet in elevation.
Meet at the Alta gas station in Costilla at 8 am. This is a steep hike in a wilderness quality setting, with no trail—so wear pants and long sleeves, and sturdy footwear. The hike will be led by John Olivas of the Wilderness Alliance, and Eddy Dry of Red River, a long time wilderness advocate. Ute Mountain is the tallest peak in the Monument, at 10,093 feet.
The trailhead is next to Taos Junction Bridge—the trail fol-lows a route used by Puebloans and early Spanish settlers, and is steep in places. The 2.5 mile roundtrip hike offers a lesson in history, and great views.
Meet at the trailhead on NM 567, near the West Rim Road turnoff. An easy 2.5 mile roundtrip walk along the west rim of the Rio Grande Gorge. Spectacular views, settlement his-tory, and archaeology.
Meet at the Wild Rivers Visitor Center for this moderate 3- mile roundtrip hike into the Rio Grande Gorge. Petroglyphs, the wild river, and an ‘inverted’ ecosystem.
Meet at the trailhead in Pilar Campground (Orilla Verde ar-ea) on NM 570 for this easy to moderate 2.5 mile roundtrip hike along one of the Monument’s newer trails. Great views in the middle of the Gorge, and a diverse group of animals and plants.
Meet at the Red River Fish Hatchery, a few miles south of Questa on NM 515. Beautiful hike in the Red River Canyon, and through some great big game habitat to the rim and back.
Bring a snack, hat, sunscreen, water and sturdy footwear. Posted in: HikingShare: Twitter, Facebook, Google +Join The Good Sole Walking Club!March 11th, 2013 10:20am - Posted By: Kara
On June 15, Holy Cross Hospital will holds its 3rd Annual “For The Health of It” fun run/walk. There are so many details that are in the planning stage but so far the group is hoping to expand the course length this year to include a timed 10k run!
And to get in the mood for the big day, The Good Sole in
Anyone is welcome to join. We are currently working with various vendors to help us secure incentives for reaching various milestones such as 100 miles, 250 miles, 500 and so forth. We plan on having some gatherings to cover topics such as stretching techniques, gait analysis, how to improve time and mileage, and what gear will help keep you going.
Yes, you are on the honor system but we do have a chart posted at The Good Sole and we ask that folks stop by on a weekly to bi-weekly basis to track their progress. We are also fortunate to be working with various groups who are helping us develop some walking trail maps with mileage to help make the routine more interesting.
Spring is upon us and we will have more details before April 1. Stop by The Good Sole to get your name on the chart and happy trails! Posted in: Store News, HikingShare: Twitter, Facebook, Google +Boot SeasonOctober 24th, 2012 7:28pm - Posted By: Kara
Cooler weather is upon us and it is boot season! We have listened to you and have brought in a variety of boots that are both fashionable and warm so you will go into the coming months looking AND feeling great! When you are making that transition from the freedom of summer sandals to the cozy comfort of winter boots, here are some reminders:
On Thursday Oct. 25 and Nov. 1 – stop by the shop from 4:30 to 6:45 pm and take a look at our boot selection. We will be hosting a "Boots and Burgundy" (–or some kind of wine) and cheese gathering and you can get 20% of any one single item -- – so treat yourself! Posted in: Boots, Foot Health, Store NewsShare: Twitter, Facebook, Google +Fall Into FashionAugust 17th, 2012 8:32am - Posted By: Kara
Fall into Fashion! We have just started to get in our fall styles at The Good Sole -- so here is a quick preview! We are happy to introduce Cobb Hill. This shoe line is designed by the same group that does New Balance -- so they really know feet and comfort! The great plus about this line is it comes in widths - so it works with wide feet or feet that has bunions or other toe issues.
Clogs are a great fall style and Naot has some great colors to complete your fall wardrobe.
And, as always, Dankso has some great styles. As you can see from the pictures Dansko is offering some more heel height. But unlike other heels, Dansko has its unique fit which makes these styles perfect for work and play.
Stay tuned...we have new styles arriving weekly!
Posted in: Boots, Store NewsShare: Twitter, Facebook, Google +Why does this shoe cost more?July 18th, 2012 10:07pm - Posted By: Kara
This is the time of year when most stores are in sale mode. School is just around the corner and in the retail world, it’s time to move into to the next season of fashion. Posted in: Store NewsShare: Twitter, Facebook, Google +Free Your Feet From Pain!July 4th, 2012 10:43am - Posted By: Kara
It’s that time of year when we celebrate freedom – and to keep with the theme we want to encourage everyone to free themselves from pain – and that usually starts with the feet! We offer a great selection of footwear that is supportive, functional – and yes, even a little fashionable. And sometime that is all one needs to wear to enjoy walking, hiking and just strolling around Taos. However, sometimes we may need to enhance footwear with either an orthotic or some sort of modification to either support our body or alleviate pain. We are Taos’ Orthotic Facility and continue to use the same lab for custom orthotics as in the past. These are terrific; a foam impression is made of your foot and then a plaster mold is cast, and finally you get your orthotic. This is great for the person who has severe pain either in the foot or needs help in the alignment of knees, hips, and back. While these customer orthotics work in athletic and hiking shoes, they often do not fit in loafers or women’s fashion shoes. Over the years, we have found that many people who have minor issues with their feet can find relief with an OTC (over the counter) orthotic. OTC orthotics offer extra support and cushion without the major investment of custom orthotics. This is a big advantage and most people find they can afford several pairs to put into a variety of shoes. The Pedorthic Footwear Association held its annual meeting last November in Albuquerque. The main buzz among the seasoned pedorthists and shoe fitting experts attending was the advantage of the new heat -moldable custom orthotics. These are innovative insoles that bring you most of the benefits of custom orthotics at a very affordable price. At The Good Sole we are pleased to introduce the Footbalance system which offers a complete foot analysis and custom molded insoles on the same day.. Each insole is individually custom molded for each foot, to ensure perfect fit and support no matter your arch type, foot shape or differences between the left and right foot. Your insoles are available for use immediately. If you need extra support under the ball of the foot, it can be added just for you. So, whether you overpronate, supinate, suffer from Plantar Fasciitis or pain in the ball of the foot, give us a call to schedule an appointment. Our trained staff will be glad to walk you through the various options available and zero in on the best one for you and your feet! Here is a preview of what happens to create your heat-moldable orthotics: 1. Your arches are analyzed with the use of a podoscope 2. Pictures are taken of your ankles to analyze your alignment with the help of a computer. 3. You stand on heated, unmolded insoles that have been positioned on the molding pillows. 4. Our expert s expertly molds each of the heated insoles to fit your feet perfectly while maintaining correct alignment. 5. Once the insoles have been individually molded, the Footbalance expert ensures that the insoles confirm to the natural arch of each foot. 6. The insoles may be trimmed to fit your footwear if needed 7. Your new 100% customized Footbalance insoles are ready for use. The entire process takes only minutes, which is not a lot of time to spend on the welfare of your feet!
See you soon! Happy 4th of July! Posted in: Foot Health, ToesShare: Twitter, Facebook, Google +More Toe-riffic Toe ExercisesApril 18th, 2012 10:56am - Posted By: Kara
Hi All! Since it is sandal season this is a good time to start your toe exercise routine!
ANKLES IN ANKLES OUT
Be sure to stop in and check out our new arrivals! It is like Christmas – we have new styles arriving weekly. Posted in: Foot Health, Store NewsShare: Twitter, Facebook, Google +March into Warm Weather – It’s TOE-rrificMarch 15th, 2012 3:01pm - Posted By: Kara
Well – March has come in more as a lamb than a lion – but that can change!
We are partnering up with local businesses so stay tuned for event invites and updates via The Good Sole newsletters and Facebook pages. And now Pinterest?? This social media world keeps us busy! But, as with everything that we try to do – we are giving you an educational piece of our newsletter. Since it is toes there are three exercises we recommend:
Second: Get two pans/buckets/ baskets and…put a group of either small river rocks or marbles in one container. Then, transfer the items from one bucket of items to the other with one foot, and then back to the other foot. CAUTION : Dogs and cats may think this is fun and try to eat the items so be ready to say “No!”
Third: Grab a towel and do the same exercise as in number one – scrunch!
We are so excited – The Good Sole was selected to host the planet Jupiter during the Taos Charter School’s Planet Drive. This is one of the most fun events that a local school has done and it is headed up by one of our favorite teachers, Rich Greywulf ( Mr. G) who loves taking care of toes! – he runs in Vibram 5 Fingers! Posted in: Store News, Foot Health, ToesShare: Twitter, Facebook, Google +Love Your LegsFebruary 14th, 2012 11:48am - Posted By: Kara
We like to keep our information timely – and since it is Valentine’s Day, we figured we should try to focus on something to do with the heart!
The advantage to these socks is they help the body maintain a stable core body temperature and heart rate – so the body doesn’t have to work so hard to get blood to the legs. It allows oxygenated blood and nutrients to get to muscles faster so they can repair and rebuild, The result is less swelling and pain for the person wearing the socks.
Posted in: Foot HealthShare: Twitter, Facebook, Google +Sizing Up the New Year!January 5th, 2012 8:54am - Posted By: Kara
I am always amused at how many customers (mostly men) are surprised to find out that we measure feet in our store as a matter of habit. They are often even more surprised to find that their foot size has changed in the years since last measured. Some are shocked to find that one foot is larger than the other or that their narrow foot has morphed into a wide. Posted in: SizingShare: Twitter, Facebook, Google +Taos Sock MarketDecember 8th, 2011 2:51pm - Posted By: Kara
R We have expanded our sock selection at The Good Sole. We have all kinds, all brands, colors, weights and sizes. We have ski socks, snowboard socks, hiking socks, hunting socks, running socks, casual socks, and of course – toe and flip flop socks. One of the most intriguing socks is Columbia’s Omni Heat socks. There is a special reflector shield on this sock that helps our feet conserve heat to keep us warmer. We carry Smartwool, Fits, Bridgedale, Columbia, Goodhew, Point 6, Dansko, Injinji, Thorlo and New Balance. So stop in and treat someone – or yourself - to some toasty comfortable socks this holiday season! Posted in: SocksShare: Twitter, Facebook, Google +Happy Holidays!December 8th, 2011 2:49pm - Posted By: Kara
Happy Holidays! Posted in: Store NewsShare: Twitter, Facebook, Google +Bear With ItSeptember 29th, 2011 3:19pm - Posted By: Kara
The fall season is upon us and there have been numerous sightings of bears. And, these aren’t the bears that wear hats or bow ties. I have had friends encounter bears from Williams Lake to the Weimar area.
PLEASE – read the label on bear spray before going on a hike. Do not use the spray near a dog. This is a beautiful time of the year – so enjoy! Posted in: Hiking, Taos Mountain OutfittersShare: Twitter, Facebook, Google +Bunions…or Onions???August 23rd, 2011 10:51am - Posted By: Kara
Ever look at someone’s foot – or even your own foot—and wonder what that protrusion is pushing out below your big toe? What is that bump? Well, what you are viewing is the third most common foot ailment – a bunion.
Posted in: Foot Health, BunionsShare: Twitter, Facebook, Google +P.U. – How to get rid of stinky feetJuly 15th, 2011 9:07am - Posted By: Kara
It is hot outside – and of course – our feet get hot.Have you ever had your feet feel so hot that you couldn’t wait to get somewhere and slip off your shoes or sandals – only to pass out from the smell of stinky feet!
If you or a special someone suffers from this, there is hope!
Posted in: Foot HealthShare: Twitter, Facebook, Google + |
conjunction with the hospital is celebrating its 5th Birthday by kicking off our Walking Club on April 1! Phyliss Nichols – Taos’ own outstanding volunteer - is helping to head up this club. 
Most boots are sized by whole sizes; and it is safe to guess that if you are between sizes you should go up (unless the boot has shearling that will pack down). And, there is always heel slippage with a boot -- which is good; when the heel is too tight, blisters occur. The slippage will decrease as the shank of the boot is broken in and becomes accustomed to your foot.
The biggest challenge women face in this area is making sure that taller boots have ample calf room. Since we live in a terrain where we walk more - our calves our more muscular than a city gal. So, we have talked with our vendors to try to accommodate higher elevation gals and offer some generous leg space.
Shoes in the athletic world can change styles anywhere between 90 days to 6 months. So that moss blue model you saw in February won’t be available in April, and in most cases will either be on sale or unavailable. Also, it’s not just the color that changes; updates can include adding different features such as extra support, new lacing system, expanded width, etc.
We work closely with our vendors to get the best footwear for our terrain that best suits our customers. That is why you will only see a few models from vendors; we can’t carry everything that they offer. However, we are more than happy to do
OUR TOES NEED EXERCISE: Even though they are the smallest appendages on our body, we need to work the little muscles in the toes to improve balance and help our feet through the full range of motion The three I am suggesting should be done while sitting ( and yes, socks and shoes should not be worn!)
We all know that the heart is the workhorse of our circulatory system. Throughout an average day, the heart pumps blood to all of the extremities as equally as it can. Gravity, however, often causes blood to pool in the lower legs and feet, causing circulatory problems such as edema, phlebitis and thrombosis. But in most people, especially workers who are on their feet all day such as hospitality, retail or health care workers, all of this blood pooling can cause fatigue and leg cramps. Elevating the legs and feet may alleviate the pain temporarily, but it often returns after a few hours back on your feet.
eet. Here is an example. I have found that, without proper measurement, people with wide feet tend to always choose a size bigger than they need. Recently a man whose foot we measured at 8 ½ wide told me he had been buying size 10 for years. He thought he had to go bigger to accommodate his wide feet and have room for his toes. But his feet still hurt and he could not figure out why. Well his feet hurt because he was wearing a 10 medium instead of an 8 ½ wide. The arch of the shoe was totally misaligned with the arch of his foot! We fitted him with an 8 ½ extra wide pair of New Balance shoes and the fit was perfect! They hit his arches in the right spot and he had just enough room for his toes. For the first time in years, his feet felt great.
emember that weird aunt or distant relative who gave you a pair of socks for Christmas? Well, the sock world has changed and today everyone wants that goofy relative so they can get socks.
It’s a great poster and a serious reminder how we all need to support each other. Both The Good Sole and Taos Mountain Outfitters appreciate the local support we receive. I realize we sometimes don’t have every style or size for everyone, but most of the time we can do special orders and make you happy.
It's a bit confusing, but the word bunion actually refers to three different medical conditions: soft tissue enlargement, hallux abducto valgus (HAV) and metatarsus primus varus (MPV). All three of these problems generally occur together and are what most people think of as a typical "bunion."
The two most common and prime reasons that contribute the most to smelly feet are sweating from the feet and the type of shoes worn. Sweating, as we know, is an essential body process that not only maintains our body temperature but also assists in removing waste products from the body.
Of all the solutions for smelly feet, most experts (yes, there are experts on stinky feet) say that soaking the feet in strong black tea for 30 minutes once in a week is a highly effective. The tannic acid present in the tea destroys the bacteria and closes the pores which keep the feet dry for a longer duration of time.