A smooth meadow, a smooth road, encounters with wildlife and unobstructed views of nature - that is a good day.

For Al Lorentzen, also known as Big Al, there is nothing better than a roll through the woods.

Yes - a roll through the woods.

Lorentzen has been a paraplegic since 1988 when he was working for the U.S. Forest Service fighting fires in Wyoming. A tree fell on him, severing his spinal cord.

Today, Lorentzen boasts more time in the forest than most able-bodied men in the area.

"I probably get out there, three to four times a week and can cover as much as 6 to 8 miles, sometimes only a few miles if the terrain is rough," Lorentzen said.

Many in Mancos know Lorentzen, who has been nicknamed Big Al since high school, because of his namesake trail near Transfer Campground. The disabled-accessible trail winds through aspen groves and ends at an overlook of West Mancos Canyon.

With the help of his good friend, Joel Hoy, also of Cortez, Lorentzen travels into the forest at least three times a week. Lorentzen wheels along roads, trails and meadows, while Hoy snaps pictures.

Hoy says he knew Lorentzen a couple of years before he got hurt and they have been traveling friends since.

"He knows all the nooks and crannies in the woods," Hoy said.

"He can just roll and roll," Hoy said. "We always meet up somewhere, or I can track him by following his trails."

The two have some stories to tell. They've seen their fair share of bears, moose, bobcats and much more.

"The coolest thing was a sow and two cubs," Hoy said. "They just came right out in front of our pickup. They frolicked around until we left."

Lorentzen said he enjoys his time in the woods and thinks of Hoy as his lifeline. They carry radios in case either gets in trouble.

"He's my partner in crime," Lorentzen said. "We cover the forest pretty good."

Currently, Hoy and Lorentzen have been on the lookout for herds of elk and have found quite a few.

"It's always a thrill to see elk," Lorentzen said.

After the accident in 1988, Lorentzen said he tried to return to work. But desk jobs were physically and mentally hard on him.

"Taking a person who loves the forest and putting them in an office is not good," Lorentzen said.

Lorentzen turns 61 in June. He was 39 years old when that tree fell on him, though details of the accident are sketchy.

"He told me once I saved his life by taking him up to the mountains after his accident," Hoy said.

Lorentzen said he can't keep himself from going back.

"It's cheaper than therapy," he said, laughing.

The two friends have been going on their trips to the mountains for more than 20 years, Hoy said he remembers taking his son up when he could barely walk and now his son is 24 years old. The two post photos of their trips. Hoy has a budding photography business named Hoy Time Photography.

"We've bounced around the woods for a long time," Hoy said.

Lorentzen said he can wear through one set of gloves in a month.

"I would never try to arm wrestle him," Hoy said.

One time, Hoy said, he watched Lorentzen roll across a creek.

"He used to get offended when people would stop and ask him if he was OK," Lorentzen said. "I had to beat him over the head and say, 'How many people in a wheelchair do you think they see out here? Let alone on a small road in the middle of nowhere, they are just curious.'"

Having a trail named after him and dedicated in 1993 has helped a bit. Often people remember the trail and the story that goes with it because they have hiked it.

"Now they say, 'There is the mythical Big Al,'" he said.