A Good Wind

Well-traveled road

Although we're headed for 105 degrees Fahrenheit this afternoon, the morning wasn't unbearable due, primarily, to a decently persistent wind; it allowed for effective evaporative cooling.  Becca and I did an extra-long hike west of Tortugas Mountain, getting off the beaten path to bushwhack through a large arroyo.  I took plenty of shade breaks to make sure my canine companion was cool enough and well hydrated.  I drank a lot of water, too.  While the desert wind is good at evaporating perspiration it's also good at causing dehydration if you're not careful.

Digging in for a shade break

Looking back at Tortugas

Bishop Cap on the horizon

Up ahead on the gravelly section

Black-chinned Hummingbird

Barrel Cactus and the distant Organ Mountains

Inside a wide arroyo

Doing a little arroyo exploration

Cucumber tree?  No, fruit of the Soaptree Yucca

Distant avian photobomb

This could spur you into action

Heading the other way up the arroyo

The large arroyo we just exited

Donkey cactus?

Black-tailed Jackrabbit

A true hare

Headed toward Tortugas Mountain

Yucca flower and bud

Mountain bikers challenging the Chihuahuan Desert