The Difference a Day Makes

That's some Yucca

Although it was a bit windy and cold this morning (19 F. when we started off), it was nothing like yesterday--one of the worst weather days I can remember here in the Southwest.  Today the sun was out, and we even felt a bit warm by the time the hike was over.  We were the only clowns testing the elements around Tortugas Mountain, however.

Soaptree Yuccas, Ocotillo and mountains

On the trail near Tortugas

Torrey Yuccas and vista

WIND!

Organ Mountains obscured by blowing dust

Worst fifteen-minute hike of my life.  The wind was simply merciless. 

Dust storm in the desert

Even Becca didn't enjoy being outside

Up in the Canyon

The Bar Canyon trail head

Dr. K, Becca and I did a hike on the Bar Canyon Trail in Soledad Canyon this morning.  We ran into a few other hikers with dogs.  No major confrontations.  For the most part, though, it seemed as if we had the canyon to ourselves.  The wind began to pick up toward the last of the trek, a harbinger of what's coming tomorrow.


Home of the Trickster



The Chimney



Rolling foothills



Mountain layers

Sotols (aka Desert Spoons)

Out in the outback



Little Casa Grande



Sea of grass

In the tall grass

The long vista

Freestyle Friday

On the alert

Beautiful weather this morning as we made our way around the long loop west of Tortugas Mountain.  We saw a jogger with a dog in the distance, but no close encounter of the thrid kind.  Headed for 67 degrees F. today, and even warmer tomorrow.  Sunday, however, is supposed to be a horrible wind day.

The leaning Yucca featured in the last photo isn't long for uprightness, I fear.


Not so alert



The rugged Chihuahuan Desert

Leaning tower of Yucca

Long Thursday Hike

The Franklin Mountains near El Paso

We got our morning hike in before the worst of the wind could get started; but we're in for big winds the rest of the week.  Wind storms in the desert can be pretty awful.  What meterologists refer to as "blowing dust" is really heavy sand in the air.  If you're out in it long enough you'll be eating a sand sandwich.

The Look

The rugged Organ Mountains



Observatory atop Tortugas Mountain



The Potrillo Mountains, west of Las Cruces

Cross in the desert

Once Around the Loop

The rolling desert

Because today was provision resupply day, the Beckster and I had to take a quick hike around one of the loop trails near Tortugas Mountain.  Despite the short hike she managed three BMs (too much information?).

It's called bushwhacking

Soaptree Yuccas and Tortugas Mountain

When I heard the learn'd astronomer

Abbreviated Hike

Smoke signals

We shortened our hike by about a third this morning because we got a late start.  Another dental appointment--this time to fill a cavity--set me back by an hour.  Becca waited patiently, then whimpered in excitement all during the drive to the trail head.  She was a good girl on the trail, though, listening to me when I called her off a Jackrabbit chase--one of her favorite activities.

Posing for a photo

Chihuahuan Desert in winter



The way ahead



Devil's Claw

A Deer Day

Stopping to smell the roses

We encountered a small herd of Mule Deer on the west side of Tortugas (Tortoise) Mountain this morning.  They weren't all that skittish, but they didn't act like we'd be welcome in their company.  Especially Becca.  She doesn't know how to act around wild critters.

Alert Mule Deer doe

Doe turns to go

Young buck

Lucky buck with three does

Sky over Tortugas Mountain

Tortugas (left) and the Organ Mountains

Looking for more deer

There they are

Dynamic sky

Tortugas' western flank

Morning on the Grandview Trail

Can they see me from here?

We did a hike on the Grandview Trail before heading out of the mountains this morning.  It was rather chilly because of a persistent wind.  The wind storm last night was outrageous, though.

Jennifer Juniper's family

Reverse question mark

Sacramento Mountains

When we get more money we'll finish our cabin

I'd swim like this if I was a porpoise