Return to Tortugas

Just starting out

Becca and I were back to hiking in the lower Chihuahuan Desert west of Tortugas Mountain this morning.  On our inbound leg we were happy to run into our buddies J.D. and Olivia who are wintering in the Chihuahuan Desert, down from Fairbanks, Alaska.  J.D. had no sooner asked if I had seen our pal Jimmy lately when said pal came around a bend into sight.  We all stood palavering for fifteen or twenty minutes before parting ways.  I had some errands to run, including grocery shopping at Albertsons before noon.

Looking across the northwestern flank of the mountain

Yuccas on the western bank of the arroyo

Becca was excited to get back here

Who's eating the Prickly Pear Cactus pads?

Looks like autumn in the Chihuahuan Desert, but feels like spring

This way to Tortugas

Fruit of the Fishhook Barrel Cactus (Ferocactus wislizeni)