Our Lady of Guadalupe

People gathering early for the trek to the top of Tortugas Mountain

Pilgrims from the village of Tortugas (the Piro-Manso-Tiwa Tribe) had already started lining up for the Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe fiesta long before Becca and I reached the mountain.  Tortugas Mountain is sacred to the tribe.  Because of the celebration we were forced to the eastern side of the mountain where, on our return leg, we ran into J.C. and his 14 1/2-year-old dog, Shaq.  Becca and Shaq have become buds, but I always have to scold Becca for playing too roughly with the old-timer.  J.C. said that Shaq always looks forward to seeing us.

Solitude on the eastern side of the mountain

A catclaw-deflated party balloon

Down a steep trail to the lower desert

Becca should be in a commercial