Trek Two

Sacramento Mountains vista

Good hike in the forest behind the cabin for Dr. K, Willow and me this morning; followed a regular route with a minor detour in order to photograph White Sands National Park.  The wind was down, and the sun, though shining through scattered high clouds, felt strong.  We weren't cold during our outing.

Wait

Mountain home

Mountain dog

This & next:  White Sands National Park from 7,000 feet

This & next:  looking into the Tularosa Basin

Willow in the back 40

We three

 

Forest Hike One

Sun edges over the mountain

Dr. K, Willow and I did the first forest hike this morning on our trip to the mountains; we got here yesterday.  It was cold out there:  32F with a frosty wind.  Fortunately the sun shone brightly and the trees (junipers and pines) provided shelter.  We all had a good trek, and Willow especially enjoyed herself.

Headed down our road

Pause for thought

Into the forest

Big tree

This & next:  long views

Haynes Canyon

Willow's intense stare

Back 40

 

Down, Up

Trail through the desert

Early morning hike for Dr. K, Willow and me before returning home to pack for a trip to the mountains, where we are now.  Colder here with more wind.

Wils

Chopper over the Organs

Flank of Tortugas, light on the Organs

Across the desert to the homesteads

David Crosby?

 

Early Wind

Clouds over the Organs

A cold wind was already blowing when Dr. K, Willow and I did our morning hike; gusts are supposed to die down by late afternoon, but pick up again tomorrow.  We saw no other nature enthusiasts while following our regular route today.

Long way to the flank of Tortugas

Faxon Yucca with a large arroyo to its right

Willow at rest

Last 2:  interesting clouds

 

Before the Wind Again

1st 4:  wild clouds over the mountains

Dr. K, Willow and I got in a nice morning hike before the wind started up.  Yesterday afternoon's windstorm was pretty brutal, both for Las Cruces and El Paso; lots of wind damage to properties.  During our outing we thought we saw Two-White-Dogs-Lady with another hiker bushwhacking through the desert northwest of us.  Later we had a distant encounter with the Basset People and their hounds who were descending the ridge on the steep hill west of the right branch arroyo; we humans waved greetings to each other.

Sit, Willow

Dick Tracy and yucca

Tortugas and the Organs

 

Pre-Wind Trek

Spectaclepod

Significantly warmer this morning while Dr. K, Willow and I did our daily hike.  We were lucky to beat the wind, which is raging this afternoon.  After our outing I went shopping at Albertsons, and Dr. K went shopping at Target after I returned.  Willow kicked back at home during each of our trips.

This & next:  sun through clouds

This & next:  phantom bats

Willow and Dr. K

Magdalena Peak

Colored desert

The rest:  sun and clouds