Early, Long Hike

Becca sees somebody climbing the mountain

Becca and I got an early start on a long hike west of Tortugas Mountain this morning.  On the way back we were lucky enough to run into our buddies J.C. and Shaque.  Shaque was in a frisky mood, and he ran and played quite a bit.  Later, when J.C. showed us how good Shaque is at following retrieving commands, Shaque went, on release, to find a deer leg he had discovered earlier.  Becca was very interested in the leg, but listened to my "Leave it" command and didn't engage in a tug-of-war competition with Shaque.

The fenced-off parcel, I believe, is a university study area

Beautiful day in the Chihuahuan Desert

What appears as three individual Torrey Yuccas is undoubtedly just one

Long look across the outback

Leafless Buggy Whips

Here comes Shaque!

Happy canines

Becca and Shaque playing with J.C.

Attentive dogs

Shaque carrying a deer leg he found