Scorcher

Very early start on a super hot day

We got an extra early start today because we're slated to reach 108F and we didn't want to subject ourselves to high temperatures on a cloudless morning.  It was already 80F when we started off on LDR-A, and the thermometer mercury was rising quickly.

There wasn't even a hint of a breeze so we immediately began talking about curtailing the hike; Dr. K and I began talking, that is, because the Heelers were noncommittal.  Not long after stopping in the shade of the small Mesquite Tree pictured here a light wind picked up and convinced us to go further; in fact, we hiked past Second Arroyo all the way up to the southernmost east/west dirt road before heading back.

When we were just beginning our trek this morning we saw the archer leaving in his white SUV; but he was the only other person we noticed venturing out into the scorching desert.

Tortugas (left) and the Organ Mountains

Brief break in the shade

LDR looking south

Red dot marks the spot where our vehicle sits

Similar scene without the red dot

Looking north toward the Doña Anas

Doña Ana Mountains

The rest are of the same Mesquite Tree alongside LDR