3,000 Feet Down

Our pal Champ scratching his back on our gravel driveway

Dr. K, Becca and I packed up early for our trip back to the lower desert, drove to the Lincoln National Forest, and hit the Grand View Trail one time more before leaving the mountains.  We were fortunate to hike almost the entire way under light cloud cover, which kept the temperature down, and we got to see some notable sights in the high country, including a young Mule Deer who seemed very curious about us, but especially curious about Becca.  After watching us for a minute or so the deer bounded off half-heartedly, like a lazy kangaroo.  Trek over, it was time to get on the road for the hour-and-a-half drive back to our place outside of Las Cruces.

Curious young Mule Deer near the Grand View Trail

Closer look at that Mule Deer (Odocoileus hemionus)

Becca on the Grand View

Prairie Rocket (Erysimum capitatum)

Prairie Rocket (aka "Western Wallflower")

Becca through the cut

Fine sky

Skeletal remains

A look into the Tularosa Basin across a sun-drenched mesa

Closer look at the mesa

Quite a drop

On the way back

Texas Ranger (Leucophyllum frutescens) in our yard