Rain At Last!

On the trail around Tortugas Mountain

We got about .25" of rain yesterday, with more predicted for today.  Some places got as much as an inch.  The El Paso International Airport measured only a trace, so, technicially, the count of consecutive days without measurable rain is now 119 days for El Pasoans.  It was humid on our hike this morning--and hot.  There's something special, though, about being hot from humidity in the desert when a stiff breeze is blowing.  The natural evaporative cooling promotes a feeling of well-being. We had our first close encounter with a baby Western Diamondback Rattlesnake. 

Ocotillos are still leafless

I love this cool, wet dirt

Which way should we go?

Somebody drove this road after the rain

Tortugas (left) and the Organ Mountains

Respite in the shade

This way through the desert



Baby Western Diamondback Rattlesnake



Closeup of the head

The rattle

New growth on a Soaptree Yucca