The Fourth

A section of Las Cruces, New Mexico

The problem with holidays around the mountain is that too many people congregate there.  That in itself wouldn't be so bad if they could just respect the relative peacefulness of the natural world.  Kids screaming can be tolerated because, well, they're kids.  But when grownups yell at the top of their lungs at one another it becomes nearly intolerable.  Fortunately Becca and I were able to ditch the crowd by heading far into the outback, and, for whatever reason, we weren't subjected to the same decibel level on our inbound leg. 

Looking down toward Bishop Cap

The Happy Hiker

Biker on the road up Tortugas Mountain

Happy Hiker takes a shade break

40 miles south:  Franklin Mountains near El Paso, Texas

A young Black-tailed Jackrabbit

He moves into the shade of an Ocotillo

Wondering what we're up to

Tries to do a handstand

Gives up on the acrobatics