Deconstruction

Mesquite Trees in an arroyo just west of Tortugas Mountain

Becca and I did a fairly long hike in the hot Chihuahuan Desert this morning, stopping frequently for shade and water breaks.  Again--despite the heat--there were plenty of other outdoor enthusiasts on and about the mountain.  When we got home Dr. K and I spent several hours deconstructing an old ellipitcal machine we've had for years.  While we were at it we got a call from out vet, Dr. Thompson.  She said lab results showed that the growth removed from Becca's neck was a plasmacytoma, a relatively non-aggressive cancer that only metastasizes in about 10% of cases.  She said the emergency vet had done a good job removing the growth and that it had clean margins.  Dr. Thompson made sure to emphasize that this was good news.

This and the next two:  down the bobsled run

Time for a shady respite

Sea of Ocotillos and the Organ Mountains

Somewhere along a long dusty road

Dried Soaptree Yucca fruit splits into three sections to release seeds

Ocotillo forest

Ocotillo woods

Showing promise:  Fishhook Barrel Cactus flower

Where clown noses grow