Shadow and Sunlight

Hiking under a cloud shadow

We had the best of shadow and sun this morning; the only problem was that when the sun was out the humidity felt even worse.  We had a shady respite 2/3 of the time, though, and an ample breeze to provide for adequate evaporative cooling.  We had an encounter with a young couple who were jogging with their Alaskan Malamute.  I guessed their dog's breed before they told me what it was because I had a Malamute many years ago.  Becca got along well with their dog, who's only a year old.

Becca in lookout mode

The road around Tortoise Mountain

Ocotillo forest

Clammyweed--a very sticky plant

Closeup of Clammyweed flower

On the high foothills trail

The way back

Looking west across a vast expanse of Chihuahuan Desert

A very late-blooming Soaptree Yucca

Soaptree Yucca flower stalks