Last Days of a Heatwave

Do the twist

It's been downright hot of late in our section of the northern Chihuahuan Desert.  We're slated to hit 80F today, and the high-70s tomorrow.  Then we brace ourselves for a mighty change as a massive cold front blows in on Sunday:  temps in the mid-40s with radical wind chills.  But today Becca and I took advantage of the great weather, exploring the major arroyo to the west of Tortugas Mountain.  Ran into JC and Olivia on our way in and hiked with them a short distance back to the cars.  They both seemed to be enjoying the heat.

Small Devil's Head Cactus

Old yucca crown basket

Cool respite

You can see how this might give an idea of how to make a basket

Torrey (left) and Soaptree Yuccas

Flank of Tortugas (left)

Closer look at the Organ Mountains

Not really on fire

Down a long arroyo

Becca leading the way down the arroyo

An arroyo is also called a "wash"

You can see how water scores the floor of a desert arroyo

Yucca island in an arroyo

We explored quite a distance down this major arroyo

Is that a dignified way to lie down?

Black-throated Sparrow

Black-throated Sparrow

A little artistic license I guess