A Long Trek Behind Tortugas Mountain

Almost-full moon over Tortugas Mountain

Dr. K, Becca and I did a really long Sunday-morning hike around Tortugas (Tortoise) Mountain.  Despite the cold (we wore vests under windbreakers) there were scads of people out.  We had an encounter with a mountain biker and a man whose two dogs rushed over to greet Becca and us before the man could manage the situation.  The dogs were friendly, though.  The larger of the two dogs was an Akita/German Shepherd mix, and it was a really beautiful animal.  I've read that Akitas are very protective of people in their families.

Behind the mountain

A mountain biker wends his way counter-clockwise around Tortugas

A real desert grassland

Distant hikers (center) heading west on the mountain loop