East, South, West

Looking right

Those cardinal directions refer to the areas around Tortugas (Tortoise) Mountain we explored this morning.  All of us--Dr. K, Becca and me--were dressed appropriately for this beautiful, warm weather.  Unlike yesterday, when we reached the low 80s, we're only slated to hit 78 F. today.  A definite feeling of spring was in the air.  We were fortunate to get in an extra long hike before the spring winds kick in later this afternoon.  We saw a few people in the outback:  several mountain-bike riders and a man hiking with three Beagles.

Looking left

A man hiking with three Beagles

Tortugas's southwestern slope and the Organ Mountains

Somebody used this half-inch-thick piece of metal for target practice